This upcoming Friday marks an auspicious occasion as the 119th Congress prepares to be sworn in. This event will usher in a period of Republican control across both the House and Senate, however slight their majority may be. This political change promises substantial influence for the then-President-Elect, Donald Trump. Given his proven conservative leadership, Trump’s prevailing influence is expected to incite meaningful reforms, especially within the realm of federal election laws.
From an historical standpoint, Republicans endeavored to enact legislation that would necessitate proof of citizenship for voters in the previous Congress. Their aim was also to fortify voter ID laws specific to federal elections. Unfortunately, their earnest efforts didn’t bear fruit. The conservatives’ pursuit of stricter election policies did not stop there. They extended their battle to towns that enabled non-Americans to participate in local elections.
Standing as a stalwart for the cause, Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) made his standpoint clear. He pronounced his fidelity to American citizens’ exclusive right to vote in US elections. He vociferously declared his dedication to strive for maintaining this status quo during a speech he delivered in July. Relaying a truth widely believed by many Americans, Rep. Steil emphasized a collective loss of faith in the integrity of the nation’s electoral process.
On the contrary, Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) tried to point fingers elsewhere earlier this year. He targeted his criticism at Republicans, accusing them of fostering a lack of confidence in the electoral system. An accusation which, though not entirely unfounded, appears to resort to blame shifting rather than seeking constructive solutions to real concerns.
Following his monumental victory in 2020, Trump took a determined stance against unfounded allegations of rampant voter fraud in the U.S. electoral system. Trump questioned the credibility of the inner workings of the voting machines during a grand rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His criticisms poignantly dissipated once his deserving victory became irrefutable.
The lingering narrative of a so-called ‘crisis,’ according to Rep. Morelle, is allegedly a result of what he dubiously labels as ‘the big lie’ purported by the Republicans during Trump’s tenure. This attempted reframing attempts to downplay conservatives’ valid concerns about election integrity and merely reflects a partisan leaning towards painting former President Trump in an unfavorable light.
The Democrats, along with certain civil rights organizations, argue that the Republicans’ attempts to enforce voting reforms are unwarranted. They contend these measures are overly restrictive. These critics maintain that voter fraud cases and instances of noncitizens casting illegal votes are minimal.
However, the mainstream narrative often overlooks that even conservative research groups, like The Heritage Foundation, acknowledged a small number of fraudulent cases across the last three presidential elections. While these amounts may indeed be small, they undeniably exist, thus justifying the need for protective measures to fortify the voting process.
As anchored in the Constitution, the responsibility over the administration of elections majorly rests with the states rather than Congress. This fundamental provision places boundaries on any extensive legislative changes that Congress could enact. Yet, this reality shouldn’t diminish the pivotal role of the Republican majority in Congress.
It’s also essential to note that the Republicans will need to negotiate with Democrats due to their slim majorities. They’re expected to navigate the political landscape carefully and demonstrate flexibility in legislating. Yet this necessity for compromise should not be interpreted as a weakness, but rather as a testament to the Republicans’ focus on progress over partisanship.