Political Quotes

“I am so proud today to stand here to support H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act. And I want to congratulate my incredible colleague Congresswoman Sewell for her leadership. When Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it was a recognition that systemic discrimination based on race continued to deny people the right to vote. And as an organizer, I understand the Voting Rights Act as a victory that was hard fought by Black activists like Fannie Lou Hamer and Ella Baker and, of course, our esteemed colleague Representative Lewis, who devoted their lives to fighting for the right to vote. And it was a victory of the movement that recognized that this right to vote is absolutely fundamental to our concept and our actualization of democracy. Unfortunately, we have not followed with the same courage. Instead, since 2013, States have enacted laws that have suppressed voting rights across the country, and today, half of the country faces stricter voting regulations than they did 9 years ago. If we want a true democracy, Mr. Speaker, we must protect the right to vote for all, and this bill is critical to doing that.”