87S30295 TBO-D     By: Reynolds H.C.R. No. 9       CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, The passage of the Freedom to Vote Act would help to   protect Americans' right to vote; and          WHEREAS, On September 14, 2021, the Freedom to Vote Act was   introduced in Congress by a group of moderate and progressive   Democratic senators with the support of Senate Majority Leader   Chuck Schumer; representing a compromise on issues addressed in the   previously introduced For the People Act, the Freedom to Vote Act   abandons the former bill's more controversial elements while still   including provisions that prevent discrimination, make voting more   accessible, reform campaign funding, and modernize election   infrastructure; and          WHEREAS, If passed, the Freedom to Vote Act would offer   protections for people with disabilities, prohibit deceptive and   inequitable practices, and restore the federal voting rights of   formerly incarcerated citizens; it would also implement automatic   voter registration, prevent unnecessary limitations on online and   same-day voter registration, and establish national standards for   early voting, mail voting, and voter identification; by breaking   down barriers to the ballot box, the bill would ensure that every   eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in free and fair   elections; and          WHEREAS, The Freedom to Vote Act would enhance transparency   in campaign funding by requiring certain entities to disclose all   major donors, and it would strengthen rules that keep super PACs and   other external groups independent of candidates; in addition, the   bill provides grants for states to update their voting machines,   and it includes improvements to the Federal Election Commission's   enforcement process, expanded penalties for destroying or altering   election records, and procedures for states to conduct postelection   audits; these changes would promote security at every step of the   electoral process; and          WHEREAS, The freedom to vote is fundamental to a successful   democracy, and Congress should take action to protect elections   from unjust practices and unethical interference; now, therefore,   be it          RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas,   3rd Called Session, hereby respectfully urge the United States   Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official   copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to   the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of   Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the   members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that   this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a   memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.