{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2708", "Larsen: Department of Justice Must Protect Election Workers and the Democratic Process", "2022-11-06", "2022", "2022-11", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", "larsen", "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) recently joined Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05) and 30 House Democrats in calling on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide more information on how the DOJ\u2019s Election Threats Task Force is addressing threats of violence toward election workers across the country.\n\nIn a November 3 letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the lawmakers wrote, \u201cOur constituents want and deserve efficient and effective election administration, so it is critical that the Department of Justice take affirmative steps to ensure the invaluable foot soldiers of our democracy can safely carry out their jobs.\u201d To read the full letter, click here.\n\n\u201cAny threat toward an election worker is a threat to our democracy. I urge the Department of Justice to provide more details about its critical work to ensure election workers can safely and effectively do their job and voters are confident in the integrity of the democratic process,\u201d added Larsen.\n\nBackground on DOJ\u2019s Election Threats Task Force\n\nIn July 2021, the DOJ established the Elections Threats Task Force to \u201caddress threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers\u2014whether they are elected, appointed, or serve as volunteers\u2014are permitted to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation.\u201d In August, the DOJ announced the Task Force had reviewed more than 1,000 contacts reported as hostile or harassing.\n\nLarsen\u2019s Record on Protecting Democracy\n\nLarsen is a champion of breaking downs barriers to ensure all citizens can participate in democracy.\n\nIn July, Larsen and Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) called for answers about widespread mail delays reported to both offices in Whatcom, Snohomish and Island counties, including the delivery of mail ballots.\n\nIn December 2021, Larsen supported the Protecting Our Democracy Act to prevent presidential abuses and restore the Constitutional system of checks and balances.\n\nIn August 2021, Larsen supported the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore critical protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and keep the promise of democracy for all Americans.\n\nIn March 2021, Larsen supported the For The People Act to strengthen voting rights, expand access to the ballot box, end corruption, hold elected officials accountable and get dark money out of politics. The bill included Larsen\u2019s legislation to eliminate unnecessary, discriminatory voter ID barriers that disenfranchise citizens and undermine democracy. Larsen modeled the legislation on Washington state\u2019s successful voting system that allows voters to affirm their identity through a sworn, written statement with a mail-in ballot.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2708"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.611453015357256, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}