HOUSTON - June 21, 2006 - Harris County Voter Registrar Paul Bettencourt will speak before a Congressional committee Thursday morning on the need for federal legislation to prevent foreign citizens from voting in U.S. elections.

      “I’m excited about this opportunity for a couple of reasons,” said Bettencourt. “First, it’s an incredible honor to be asked to speak to Congress and, second, it’s a chance to try to persuade federal legislators of the real need for federal intervention to prevent illegal voting by non-citizens.”

      Bettencourt was asked earlier this month to appear before the Committee on House Administration regarding several bills designed to ensure the accuracy of the nation’s voter rolls. As the voter registrar in the nation’s third-most populous county, Bettencourt has been using technology and hard work to try to ensure the accuracy of Harris County’s voter registration roll.

      “Passage of legislation such as the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 would help my office ensure that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in federal, state and local elections,” Bettencourt will tell the committee. “Voting should be a right of citizenship in the United States.”

      The Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 (H.R. 4844), sponsored by Henry Hyde, R-Ill., is designed to prevent fraud in federal elections by requiring those wishing to register or re-register to vote to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Bettencourt supports such legislation, especially in light of recent cases in which his office discovered foreign nationals voting in local and federal elections here in Harris County.

      “We require photo identification of those wanting to buy liquor or tobacco, to board an airplane and to use a credit card,” Bettencourt said. “I don’t think it’s too much to ask of someone when deciding on the leadership and future of the United States.”

      Bettencourt’s remarks will be available via live Web cast at 9 a.m. Thursday on the House Administration Committee Web site at http://cha.house.gov/.

Back to Homepage     Previous Press Releases