HI HR173

Urges all Americans to participate in elections and prevent erosion of the democratic process.

Calls on every citizen to educate themselves on relevant issues, register to vote, and engage in the democratic process.

Documents declining trust in government (from 77% in 1964 to 17% in 2019) and falling voter participation (from 64% in 1964 to 55% in 2016).

Identifies threats to democracy including money in politics, special interest lobbying, disinformation campaigns, voter suppression efforts, and partisan polarization.

Notes the United States was downgraded from "full democracy" to "flawed democracy" status by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2016 and has since dropped to 25th place globally.