Paying Tribute to the Life of Mr. Daniel Edward Webb Hon. Jim Costa of California in the House of Representatives

report on the 2008 election said that there were significant problems for persons with disabilities in gaining access to the polls. Physical barriers remain in far too many cases. In fact, 31 states reported that ensuring polling place accessibility was ‘‘challenging.’’ The EAC should be strengthened to ensure that we have in place strong standards that will improve the voting experience for all Americans. The EAC has already played a central role in improving the accessibility of voting for the country’s more than 37 million voters with disabilities. Furthermore, the EAC’s certification program is helping state and local governments save money. The EAC uses its oversight role to coordinate with manufacturers and local election officials in order to ensure that the existing equipment meets its durability and longevity potential. This saves state and local governments from the unnecessary expense of new voting equipment. Mr. Speaker, eliminating the EAC at this time would be a regrettable mistake. We need to take steps to safeguard our democratic process, and agencies like the EAC should be strengthened in order to protect Americans’ right to vote.