Political Quotes

“I thank Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan for yielding and to our chairwoman, Congresswoman Clarke, for her leadership. In the words of John Lewis: ``Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the beloved community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.'' Mr. Speaker, on this fifth anniversary of the passing of Congressman John Lewis, I rise to sound the alarm: Our democracy demands action now. The democracy that John Lewis fought for and bled for still remains under attack. After the Supreme Court's Shelby County v. Holder decision, nearly 100 new laws surfaced, closing polling places, cutting early voting, banning drop boxes, and changing ID rules. Who is paying the price? It is our democracy. That is not policy, Mr. Speaker. That is persecution. These restrictions aren't about protecting democracy. It is simply a modern poll tax in disguise, aimed to confuse and designed to suppress and discourage voters. When we vote, when we fight, we win at the ballot box. I know this firsthand, and I know the importance of acting for our democracy. You see, Mr. Speaker, I marched with Congressman John Lewis in Washington, in Selma, and in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio, to the board of elections to stand up and to stand against voter suppression with a new generation of warriors in that fight. That is why we must pass the John R.…”