Committee on House Administration (CHA) Republicans released the following statement upon Committee Member, Representative Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) attending a Field Hearing held by Subcommittee on Elections Chairwoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday, May 6, 2019.

"I appreciate the opportunity to represent the Republicans at the subcommittee field hearing on the Voting Rights Act in Fort Lauderdale. Though the Voting Rights Act is outside of our committee's jurisdiction, I understand the importance of CHA's oversight role of federal elections and am committed to learning more about the reported incidents in the Broward County midterm elections," said Loudermilk. He went on to say, "I look forward to hearing from the witnesses tomorrow and receiving more information about what the state is doing to remedy any issues and increase integrity in their election system."

"I am tired of seeing headlines about the egregious mistakes made by Broward County's Democratic election administrators. We have an obligation to ensure every American's vote is counted and protected, and I hope that the state of Florida, especially Broward County, continues to improve their election system to ensure more integrity and transparency. Voter turnout in the 2018 midterm was at its highest rate in fifty years both nationally and in Florida, and I hope these efforts continue among the state election officials, election administrators and outside organizations dedicated to increasing voter turnout," said Ranking Member Rodney Davis (IL-13).

The Subcommittee Field Hearing will be held at Broward County Governmental Center, Room 422; 115 South Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 3330. You can watch the LIVESTREAM HERE.

ICYMI - Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal's Editorial Board: The Voter Suppression Myth.

Background:

The Committee on House Administration (CHA) has two principal functions, oversight of day-to-day operations in the House and oversight of federal elections. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), the focus of these field hearings, currently remains under the jurisdiction of the House Judiciary Committee.

Historically, the committee has had a hand in shaping legislation that touches on any and all aspects of federal elections. Issues concerning corrupt practices, contested congressional elections, campaign finance disclosures, and credentials and qualifications of House Members also fall under its purview. Most recently, the committee played a pivotal role in the development and passage of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, which allocated more than $3 billion to improve voting equipment, train election workers, and reform election law.

The Subcommittee on Elections has not always been a formal part of CHA but was recently reinstated in the House with four Members: Chairwoman Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11), Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC-1), Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA-31), and Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL-13).

Congressional Members attending the Subcommittee field hearing are Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11), Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL-22), Representative Alcee Hastings (D-FL-20), and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-23).

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