Shaheen, Senators Urge Biden Administration to Establish a White House Office for Democracy Reform
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined a group of Senators led by Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on a letter to the Biden administration urging the establishment of an office for democracy reform within the White House Domestic Policy Council. In the letter, the Senators emphasized that while more Americans voted in the November 2020 elections than ever before, it is clear that an office within the White House with jurisdiction over elections, voting rights, and campaign finance issues would help safeguard our democracy.
“Millions of Americans, disproportionately people of color, still face obstacles to voting because of laws and policies that suppress turnout. Political spending is rapidly increasing while campaign finance laws and transparency measures have failed to keep pace,” the Senators wrote.
They continued, “Currently, the White House does not have a specific office or position that handles elections, voting rights, campaign finance, and other issues central to our democracy. A distinct office within the White House with clear jurisdiction over these issues would elevate them and improve the legislative process between the White House, executive departments and agencies, and Congress in safeguarding our democracy.”
Shaheen and Klobuchar were joined on the letter by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Tina Smith (D-MN).
Senator Shaheen is a leader in Congress on behalf of strengthen voting rights. In July, Senator Shaheen helped introduce the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The bipartisan bill would restore the Voting Rights Act, end the scourge of minority voter suppression and help preserve the legacy of civil rights hero John Lewis. The legislation was originally introduced in 2019 as the Voting Rights Advancement Act. Shaheen and the bipartisan group of Senators reintroduced the legislation to honor Congressman John Lewis.
The full text of the letter can be found below:
Dear President Biden:
As Senators who share your commitment to strengthening our democracy, we write to urge you to establish an office for democracy reform within the White House Domestic Policy Council.
In the face of repeated attacks on our democracy, the 2020 elections showed the resilience of our election system. In the midst of a global pandemic, nearly 160 million Americans voted, more than ever before. Thanks to the hard work of state and local election officials – Republicans, Democrats, and Independents – the election was administered successfully. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Election Assistance Commission, and state and local election officials concluded that “The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history.”
At the same time, it is clear that our democracy faces ongoing threats. The Intelligence Community has confirmed that foreign adversaries continue to target our elections. These foreign adversaries and other bad actors are still able to exploit online platforms to spread disinformation and undermine trust in our elections. Millions of Americans, disproportionately people of color, still face obstacles to voting because of laws and policies that suppress turnout. Political spending is rapidly increasing while campaign finance laws and transparency measures have failed to keep pace. The Center for Responsive Politics estimates spending for the 2020 election cycle was approximately $14 billion dollars, including $2.6 billion in outside spending by super PACs, political parties, and “dark money” groups.
Together, we must address these challenges. As part of that effort, we believe it is important for you to create a democracy reform office within the White House Domestic Policy Council.
Currently, the White House does not have a specific office or position that handles elections, voting rights, campaign finance, and other issues central to our democracy. A distinct office within the White House with clear jurisdiction over these issues would elevate them and improve the legislative process between the White House, executive departments and agencies, and Congress in safeguarding our democracy.
Thank you for your attention to this request. We look forward to working with you to protect our elections and strengthen our democracy.
