Patrick Leahy: “the Senate today has the opportunity to live up to its best traditions. We can put our democracy over any political…”

“the Senate today has the opportunity to live up to its best traditions. We can put our democracy over any political party. Later today, we will take the first step that could put us on the path to having an open debate about the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. I have championed and sponsored this bill to restore the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. I have done this for years. Today, Senators of both parties have the chance to show they are willing to do the job we were elected to do--to debate and vote on legislation. And no legislation could be more foundational to our democracy than that which protects the right to vote. We 100 Senators all have the right to vote. Let us exercise that right and not avoid voting on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. This is such a fundamental part of our democracy. Let's set the example here, where all 100 Senators know we have the right to vote. Let's make sure we vote and not avoid voting. I hope that we as a Senate will honor the rich bipartisan history around the Voting Rights Act in the name of our hero John Lewis, in the name of our democracy, and in the name of a foundational value that is the bedrock of our country. Just yesterday, we announced a bipartisan compromise in the hopes of building support for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. I am grateful to Senators Murkowski and Durbin and Manchin for their dedication to reaching this compromise.…”