Javier Sierra, javier.sierra@sierraclub.org, 703.927.4750
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(English)
Biden, Harris Call On Senate To Change Filibuster, Pass Democracy Legislation
ATLANTA -- This afternoon, during a speech in the late Congressman John Lewis’ district, President Biden and Vice President Harris called on the Senate to change the Senate rules to pass the Freedom To Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
This marks the first time President Biden has publicly called on the Senate to change the Jim Crow filibuster.
The Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA) will preempt the hundreds of state bills that could otherwise keep millions of people from voting in upcoming elections, put in place more checks and balances, prevent future attempts to undermine and attack our elections, and more.
A Navigator poll conducted late last year found that a majority of Americans support the Freedom to Vote Act, and more than two in three support each provision in the legislation. The VRAA is supported by 70% of voters nationwide, according to a survey conducted by Lake Research in 2021.
In response, Sierra Club Democracy Program Director Courtney Hight issued the following statement:
“Senate Democrats must heed the calls from President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the tens of millions of Americans who have already spoken and get the job done. Safeguarding and strengthening our democracy from dangerous attacks – attacks that have drastically intensified since an attempted coup driven in part by the Big Lie – is paramount, and the Senate has a duty to act.
"American democracy is not a guarantee but rather a collective choice, and these two landmark bills, the Freedom To Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, will begin to restore the unmet promise of our democracy and create our future — a livable planet, safe communities, and a democracy in which every person counts.”
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Sobre el Sierra Club
El Sierra Club es la mayor y más influyente organización medioambiental de base en Estados Unidos y cuenta con millones de miembros y seguidores en todo el país. Además de crear oportunidades para que personas de todas las edades, niveles y localizaciones puedan disfrutar de la naturaleza, el Sierra Club se esfuerza en salvaguardar la salud de las comunidades, proteger la vida silvestre, y preservar los restantes parajes naturales por medio de activismo de base, educación pública, cabildeo y en las cortes. Para más información visite: www.sierraclub.org/ecocentro.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.