Cindy Carr cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON D.C.-- Today, the House, led by Representative Sewell and House Leadership, passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA) after it was reintroduced last week. The passing of the VRAA will restore and strengthen the full power of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and will restore and expand Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which was gutted by the Supreme Court for the second time earlier this summer.
The VRAA will protect voters from any future discriminatory anti-voter laws before they are implemented. Additionally, the For The People Act, which passed the House earlier this year, includes comprehensive, common sense democracy reforms, including automatic voter registration, stronger rules around ethics and campaign finance, restored voting rights for 1.7 million formerly incarcerated people, a ban on partisan gerrymandering, and more. At a time when nearly 400 voter suppression bills have been introduced in 49 states this year alone, the passing of both the VRAA and the For The People Act in the House solidifies Democrats’ commitment to protecting voting rights and our democracy. Both the VRAA and the For The People Act now await a floor vote in the Senate.
In response, Sierra Club Democracy Program Director Courtney Hight released the following statement:
“The Sierra Club applauds Rep. Sewell and House Democrats for passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and taking this huge step toward ensuring our democracy is just, thriving, and serving all Americans regardless of their zip code, race, or income. The strength of our democracy hinges on how many people have fair and equal access to the ballot box -- the passing of the VRAA will directly reinforce and expand this right. The Sierra Club calls on the Senate to protect our democracy by passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act without delay. Both bills are critical for protecting our democracy and preserving the freedom to vote for all Americans.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.