Political Quotes

“Madam Vice President, I rise today in support of two important voting rights bills the Senate is now considering, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The Freedom to Vote Act would protect access to the ballot by permitting all voters to vote by mail, providing a minimum of 15 days of early in- person voting for Federal elections, and allowing same-day voter registration at polling places. The bill would also protect nonpartisan election officials from interference and intimidation and end partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by allowing the Justice Department to prevent discriminatory State voting laws from taking effect. The need for Federal legislation to protect the sacred and fundamental right to vote is clear. Over the last year, we have witnessed a disturbing increase in efforts by State legislatures across the country to make it harder for eligible voters to access and cast their ballots. Last year, legislators in 49 States introduced more than 440 bills that would make it harder to vote and easier for improper, partisan interference in our election processes. At least 34 of these restrictive bills have become law in 19 States.…”