Introduced by Rep. Harper (R-MS), this bill would wind up the ElectionAssistance Commission (EAC), which has outlived its mission, and transfer alimited number of EAC functions to other appropriate agencies.
TheEAC was authorized under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), to assist stateswith upgrading their voter registration and voting systems. These objectivesare largely completed. In fact, the White House has noted that “additionalFederal funds [for the EAC’s Election Reform Grant program] are not needed toaccomplish the purposes of HAVA,” because more than $1 billion in unspent grantfunds remained in state hands.
Despiteits diminishing mission, the EAC has grown in size and cost. Since 2005, whenthe original authorization of the program was scheduled to expire, the EAC’sstaff has more than doubled. Furthermore, the agency’s $18 million budget, morethan half of which goes toward administrative expenses, is an 80 percentincrease over its original appropriation.
Especiallyamid record deficits, there is no reason to continue infusing “zombie” programslike the EAC with tax dollars. Therefore,roll call votes on H.R. 672 will be significantly weighted in our annualRating of Congress and a “YES” vote will be considered the pro-taxpayerposition.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Government Affairs Manager Brandon Greife at(703) 683-5700