Amy Klobuchar: “I come to the floor to speak in support of very important new legislation, the Freedom to Vote Act, that I introduced…”

“I come to the floor to speak in support of very important new legislation, the Freedom to Vote Act, that I introduced yesterday with the members of the Voting Rights Working Group assembled by Leader Schumer, which includes Senator Manchin; Senator Merkley, who is here with us today on the floor and who has been such a leader on voting issues, including the For the People Act; Senator Padilla; and Senators King, Kaine, Tester, and Warnock. The freedom to vote is fundamental to all of our freedoms. Following the 2020 elections in which more Americans voted than ever before, in the middle of a public health crisis, we have seen unprecedented attacks on our democracy in States across the country. These attacks demand an immediate Federal response. The Freedom to Vote Act will set basic national standards to make sure all Americans can cast their ballots in the way that works best for them, regardless of what ZIP Code they live in. I want to thank Senator Schumer for his leadership in pulling together our working group that got this legislation across the finish line and, as I mentioned, Senators Merkley and Manchin for their work on this crucial bill. It has been over 8 months since that violent mob of insurrectionists stormed through this very spot and desecrated our Capitol, the temple of our democracy. They opened the desks in this Chamber. They got up and sat at that desk where you are sitting now, Mr. President. It was an attack on our Republic.…”