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.