Allred Statement on Senate GOP Blocking the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act

Statement

Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), a former voting rights attorney, released the following statement after the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act was blocked by Republicans in the Senate. This legislation passed the House on January 13. Additionally, a Senate rules change to allow the legislation to proceed lacked the necessary support in the Senate.

"History will judge the Senators who stood in the way of this bill's passage more harshly than they know. Now more than ever, we need to pass this legislation into law to protect democracy -- before it is too late.

"Texas and states across the country are seeing aggressive, partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics at the hands of Republican-controlled state legislatures and these attacks demand a response from the Congress.

"The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act combines two important pieces of legislation that expand the right to vote by creating national standards around voter registration, early voting and voting by mail. It also restores the preclearance provision in the Voting Rights Act to make sure that every American's vote is protected.

"I once again urge the Senate to find a way to get this passed into law. Our democracy has never been more fragile, and these reforms will strengthen and protect the integrity of our elections and make sure every American can have their voice heard."

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