Sen. Lee: Democrats' Voting Bill Reads 'as if Written in Hell by the Devil Himself'
Republican senator blasts HR 1 'For the People Act of 2021' election law overhaul bill
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Republican Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has compared House Democrats to "the devil" for pushing their voting "reform" legislation known as HR 1.
"Everything about this bill is rotten to the core," Lee blasted during a Fox News interview on Wednesday.
"This is a bill as if written in hell by the devil himself," he said.
The Democrats' HR 1, also known as the "For the People Act," passed the House largely along party lines earlier this month.
The bill seeks to expand voter registration and promote mail-in voting for future elections.
However, Republicans warn the legislation will compromise election integrity and ultimately lead to the federalization of America's elections.
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Lee was asked about the federal voting expansion effort on "Fox & Friends," where co-host Steve Doocy reminded the audience that the measure:
- Implements mandatory automatic voter registration nationwide
- Allows voters to substitute a photo ID with a 'sworn written statement'
- Expands mail-in voting
- Restores voting rights for convicted felons, and
- Encourages statehood for the District of Columbia
Senator Lee says he disagrees with "every single word in H.R. 1, including the words 'but,' 'and,' and 'the'."
He argues that Congress is attempting to undermine state control over elections "in an effort to ensure an institutional, revolutionary Democratic Party of sorts, one that can remain in power for many decades to come."
"This takes all sorts of decisions that the federal government, really, has no business making — takes them away from the states, makes them right here in Washington, DC by Congress," he went on.
"What's your biggest problem with the way the Democrats want to redo how we vote in America?" Doocy asked Lee.
"Everything about this bill is rotten to the core," Lee replied.
"This is a bill as if written in hell by the devil himself."
The Republican from Utah explained that the bill is "an effort to ensure an institutional, revolutionary Democratic Party of sorts.
"One that can remain in power for many decades to come.
"It does this by taking away these decisions," Lee continued.
"Elections in America have always been conducted at the state and local level.
"They are completely flipping that principle on its head so that these things can now be micromanaged from Washington.
"That's wrong. That's really wrong. It's bad policy."
"As much as anything else, it's wildly unconstitutional," he added.
WATCH:
Mike Lee on HR1: "This is a bill as if written in hell by the devil himself." pic.twitter.com/NfNvv30NBA
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 10, 2021
H.R. 1 already passed the House in a 220-210 vote last week.
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The bill is now set to be taken up by the Senate where Democrats are also in control.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tweeted at the beginning of the month:
"Despicable, discriminatory, anti-democratic proposals are on the move in Republican state legislatures.
"Make no mistake: They must be opposed by every American who cherishes our democracy.
"This Senate is working to pass the #ForThePeople Act to renew democracy and our elections."
Despicable, discriminatory, anti-democratic proposals are on the move in Republican state legislatures
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 1, 2021
Make no mistake: They must be opposed by every American who cherishes our democracy
This Senate is working to pass the #ForThePeople Act to renew democracy and our elections
