H.R. 1: Wake up New Hampshire before it’s too late.
This opinion by John B. Sullivan Jr., from the May 13, 2021 Union Leader, is presented with his permission.
I am writing to address the bill H.R. 1 — the so-called “For the People Act” — that is being debated in the U.S. Senate. As citizens, we are all busy, our lives have been compromised by the pandemic and our lifestyles changed. Amid this, I don’t think the people of our great state know enough about this bill that is being deliberated.
This bill aims to strip away New Hampshire’s ability to decide for itself what our election policies and voting practices will be. It transfers to federal authorities the right to dictate who votes in our state and how we conduct elections.
If this bill were to pass the U.S. Senate — it already passed the U.S. House with Reps. Chris Pappas and Ann Kuster both in favor — New Hampshire would give up the congressional redistricting control of our state to Washington bureaucrats. Do you want Nancy Pelosi establishing our voting districts?
I don’t want Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy or anyone in Washington telling us, as citizens of New Hampshire, what to do. I am asking you to call and to write to your senators. Tell them that we want to keep the New Hampshire Advantage and to leave control of our affairs to the people of the Granite State.
I am concerned about creeping federal control step-by-step taking away our right to self-governance. This is called socialism, when our local powers are taken away and transferred to a central government. Not surprisingly, Sen. Maggie Hassan is a sponsor of the bill and has voted 96% of the time with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY.
I am concerned that H.R. 1 has a good chance of passing. This bill is a ruse and is being presented as legislation that will guarantee everyone can vote. That is bogus, as our own Secretary of State Bill Gardner, who is a Democrat and who is supported by both parties and over many years, testified before Congress to urge them not to pass this legislation.
Gardner has done an outstanding job for the people of New Hampshire. In his testimony, he noted that New Hampshire law requires voter identification and that the results of our elections are to be announced on the day of voting. That could all change under the proposed federal law.
Gardner testified that New Hampshire has been third in participation in our voting at 72% over the last four presidential elections. Ask yourselves, why are our elected officials trying to change this? It is a thinly veiled power grab.
I believe this bill would jeopardize our first-in-the-nation presidential primary status.
This is why I am trying to make people aware of what is in this bill and that it is happening right now. Without outrage over this bill, this is going to be enacted into law with our own Democrat senators voting for it! They have the ability to stop this and protect the rights of New Hampshire people or they can kowtow to the power brokers and avarice of their political party.
H.R. 1 is a step toward socialism. It takes our rights away and turns over power to Washington bureaucrats. I ask you, whom do you trust? Please contact your senators and insist that they do their duty and vote no on H.R. 1.
John B. Sullivan Jr. is a retired general contractor living in Bedford.
Click here to read this Op-Ed on-line OR click here to download a PDF copy.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————
NH Representatives Chris Pappas (CD-1) and Anne Kuster (CD-2) voted for H.R. 1. Click the names to contact.
H.R. 1 is now in the US Senate, where the Democrats need to get rid of the filibuster to pass it.
NH Senators, Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan will decide whether to end the filibuster and override New Hampshire election law. You can click on their names for their contact information.
Tell them protect the rights of New Hampshire voters. Keep the filibuster and vote NO on H.R. 1.
Posted by GST Chairman Ray Chadwick