Senators Must Decide Their Legacy On Voting Rights Reform

Today, Robert Brandon, our President & CEO, issued the following statement after the Senate voted on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act:

“Over the past year, a minority of Senators have repeatedly exploited the filibuster to block federal bills crafted to protect the freedom to vote, despite consistent support from a bipartisan majority of voters. It is extremely disappointing to realize that some of the most significant civil rights gains in our history, including the 14th and 15th Amendments, would not pass today under this current state of affairs.

“Our Senators must decide whether they want their legacies to support or obstruct the freedom to vote. Protecting the freedom to vote is more important than partisan politics or outdated procedural loopholes. The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act would help ensure that everyone can cast their ballot safely without interference, and it will bring down barriers to voting that disproportionately harm Americans based on their race, age, ability, or income. This bill would also address partisan gerrymandering so that voters elect their leaders rather than leaders selecting their voters.

“As we continue to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we all must commit to the fight for democracy - especially the one hundred Senators who swore an oath to defend the rights enshrined in our Constitution. Democracy is best when everyone can fully participate, no matter where they live, how much they earn or what they look like. It’s time for our elected officials to recognize this time-tested truth.”