Congressman David Price Among Democrats Supporting Reform Bill

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Party representatives unveiled a bill Friday outlining their top legislative priorities for the coming term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

H.R. 1, or the For the People Act, is the first piece of legislation out of the new Democratic majority in the House, and covers a wide set of issues related to election finance, voter registration and ethics for elected officials.

North Carolina 4th District Congressman David Price spoke at the bill’s announcement around noon on Friday, calling it a “once in a generation” opportunity for reform.

“And I, as a representative for North Carolina, have a special reason – we’re ground zero on so many of these issues – a special reason to understand how important this is,” he said.

H.R.1 would promote automatic voter registration, and outlaws tactics used to remove voters from registration rolls. Provisions of the bill would also require the president and candidates seeking the country’s highest offices to disclose their tax history, something President Donald Trump has refused to do.

Price has worked on campaign finance reform through his more than three decade-long career in office. He previously served on the House Ethics Task Force and helped establish an independent Office of Congressional Ethics.

“This is a once in a generation blueprint for reforming our democratic system, diminishing the influence of big money in American politics and restoring power to our people,” he said.

He said this bill will look to target the influence of Super PACs on elections through disclosure laws.

The bill will now go through hearings in several Democratic-controlled committees but is not expected to make it to the floor of the House for some months.

Price Among House Democratic Leaders on Ethics, Elections Reform Bill

On Air Now: 97.9 FM