H.R. 1 and H.R. 4 would reform our democracy. They’d also help our economy.

The Capitol in Washington on March 5. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

By Robert E. Rubin

H.R. 1, the For the People Act, and H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, are commonly framed as bills to reform our democracy. But they’re also key to our economic future.

For our country to succeed economically, our market-based system must function alongside strong, effective government. Strong, effective government, in turn, requires a functioning democratic process. By repairing our democracy, H.R. 1 and H.R. 4 could pave the way for policies that achieve the interdependent objectives of strong growth, widespread economic well-being and reduced inequality.

These bills are so important that if they can garner majority support, Senate rules should be changed so that they can be passed even without 60 votes.