Reed: Voting is an Essential Civic Duty & the For the People Act Would Help Safeguard Our Democracy
Press Release
In an effort to protect voting rights, end partisan gerrymandering, and stop voter suppression tactics, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today voted to advance H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which would protect Americans' freedom to vote; expand voter registration and make Election Day a federal holiday; require two weeks of early voting; improve campaign finance and digital ad transparency; strengthen ethics rules for all three branches of government; and ban partisan gerrymandering.
Senator Reed also supports U.S. Senator Joe Manchin's (D-WV) compromise voting reform plan, as do former President Barack Obama, voting advocate Stacey Abrams, and others.
But today, Senate Republicans demonstrated the extent of their disdain for free and fair elections by voting against even having a debate on the For the People Act in the full U.S. Senate. Indeed, the Republican blockade is another step in the nationwide, Trump-inspired effort by Republicans to make it harder for Americans of every persuasion to vote, and, as importantly, make sure their vote is counted and not reversed by a plethora of new state laws that would do everything from prohibit water being given to those standing in long lines to restricting voting hours on Sundays to make it harder for Black churchgoers to head to the polls.
After Republicans blocked floor debate, Senator Reed stated:
"Voting is foundational to our democracy and we must ensure free, fair, safe, and secure elections. Ensuring equal access to the ballot is about giving people an opportunity to have a say in government decisions that impact their daily lives and hold elected officials accountable. It is also means ensuring that the voters' choices are respected and not subjected to the wave of state legislative efforts to thwart those choices.
"Voters deserve to have their voices heard. But we're already seeing some states trying to erect new voting restrictions. And today, Senate Republicans voted to stymie debate.
"Today's Republican leaders seem to think that the Donald Trumps of the world should be able to mail in their ballots, but working people should have to stand in line for hours during the workday to cast their vote or drive around their city or town finding the right place to vote. Republican leaders fear that allowing legitimate voters to cast their ballots would lead to electoral defeat.
"We saw the destructive action that stemmed from Donald Trump's lies and efforts to limit voting. And we saw nearly 150 Republican Congressional officeholders going along with the Big Lie and voting to decertify the Electoral College count. They were willing to ignore the votes of the American people and overturn a free and fair election.
"We have the technology and the means to ensure the security and integrity of our elections. We must modernize the voter registration process to ensure it works effectively. And we must ensure there are national standards in place to ensure all Americans can vote safely, both in person and by mail.
"The For the People Act would also help close dark money loopholes that allow foreign adversaries to spend money trying to covertly influence U.S. elections and policies.
"While today's vote did not succeed, we must continue working to pass voting rights legislation and strengthen our democracy. Our government must work for the people and that means ensuring the American people have the right to vote, regardless of who they vote for.
"Ensuring the fairness of our elections should not be a partisan issue. Passing voting rights legislation like the For the People Act is essential to protect against threats to our democracy.
"The Senate may be a divided legislative body right now, but the American people are united in strong support of equal access to the ballot box free and fair elections. I hope they will make their voices heard at the ballot box."
H.R. 1 passed the full U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 220-210 vote in March.
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