Washington, D.C. — After almost every Senate Republican blocked lawmakers from moving forward to begin debate on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Danielle Root, director of voting rights and access to justice on the Democracy and Government Reform team at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Nearly every member of the minority party is standing in the way of passing a law that would protect the fundamental right to vote. This measure is an essential piece of legislation that would protect voters against vicious and discriminatory anti-voting rules and strengthen voters’ ability to successfully challenge oppressive voting laws. Anti-voting efforts taking place across the country are abhorrent and—if left unchecked—will lead to democratic decay. Congress has the authority and the responsibility to protect democracy and voting rights in America. The Senate majority must pass this bill and the Freedom to Vote Act with all urgency and must not allow the minority party to hold these important bills hostage. It’s time for the arcane filibuster rules to be reformed or eliminated so lawmakers can pass these critical laws and stop the endless obstruction. The rights of millions of voters are at risk.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].