D21 President Fred Wertheimer On The Introduction of H.R. 4, The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, introduced today in the House of Representatives, is a vitally important step forward in the work to protect the sacred right to vote for all eligible citizens.

Today, millions of Black, brown, other minorities, the disabled, elderly, and young, are at risk of losing their ability to vote due to voter suppression laws being passed in numerous states.

These efforts, if not overridden, will represent the greatest voter suppression in the United States since the Jim Crow era.

The passage of H.R. 4 and H.R. 1 /S. 1, the For the People Act, are absolutely essential if we are to protect the right to vote in federal elections for all eligible citizens. The For the People Act passed the House in March. The two bills protect the right to vote in complementary ways and both must be enacted.

“The vote is precious. It is almost sacred,” the late Rep. John Lewis once said. “It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democracy.”

Democracy 21 strongly urges the House to pass H.R. 4 next week. We strongly urge the Senate to ensure that an obstructionist filibuster does not stand in the way of passing H.R. 4 and H.R. 1/S. 1, the pending business when the Senate returns in September from its August recess.

Our democracy deserves nothing less.

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