With 47 states considering more than 360 election bills that critics say would restrict voting, congressional representatives met virtually Thursday to discuss legislation they say would block discriminatory voting laws and protect all Americans’ right to vote.

“In a country that holds itself out as the greatest democracy in the world, every citizen deserves equal and unfettered access to the ballot box,” said Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-Wilson. “The 2020 election showed us that when barriers are removed and voters are given options for when and how to cast their ballot, participation in our democratic process increases. And that increased participation does not compromise the integrity of our elections. If fact, it bolsters integrity.”

Butterfield, who chairs the House Subcommittee on Elections, led the virtual meeting from the city of Wilson’s operations center. While participants discussed H.R. 1 — a sweeping election law overhaul the House passed in early March — Butterfield said the meeting’s purpose was debating new guidelines to replace the bulk of the Voting Rights Act’s Section 4, which the Supreme Court struck down in 2013.

Section 4 required some counties and states with a history of voter discrimination to receive federal approval before changing election laws.

“Federal intervention is still needed,” testified witness Allison Riggs, chief counsel for voting rights at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. “And I hope this esteemed body will gather the data necessary to tailor and enact effective legislation to provide that aid, both recognizing the ugly history of racial discrimination in voting in this country and identifying modern manifestations of Jim Crow tactics.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wisconsin, criticized H.R. 1, titled the For the People Act.

“Now we’re stuck with more of a messaging bill than a viable piece of legislation,” Steil said.

The bill requires Senate approval, but analysts say significant changes are likely before it could land on President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Currently, the legislation bolsters early voting, streamlines voter registration, requires maps to be approved by an independent redistricting commission and makes campaign finance more transparent.

During her witness testimony, Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman expressed frustration that state officials were not consulted when House Resolution 1 was drafted.

“It is the prescriptive nature and specific elements of H.R. 1 that makes it difficult to implement in the timelines that are prescribed,” Wyman said.

Butterfield said nationwide reform is needed.

“Some states are bad actors and some are not,” he said. “We need uniform standards guaranteeing the right to vote, and we need standards to protect voters from discriminatory voting changes. And some of those changes disproportionately affect minority groups.”

Thursday’s meeting was the first congressional hearing led from Wilson. Butterfield said it was the first of a series of subcommittee meetings that will take place in the coming months to ensure “free and fair access to the ballot” for all Americans.