Statement from America Votes Leadership on Senate Failing to Protect Voting Rights

WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, the Senate once again failed to advance legislation to expand and protect the right to vote. Despite having the support of a majority of Americans, the Freedom to Vote Act was blocked by two Democrats and every Republican in the Senate. In response, the America Votes Senior Leadership Team released the following statement:

“Although we are deeply disappointed the Senate has failed to advance critical voting rights legislation, we commend Leader Schumer for bringing this important vote forward. By calling the roll, we have accountability on the question of whether the arcane, anti-democratic filibuster is more important than the voting rights of every American. This vote revealed we are only two votes shy of a majority that puts voting rights and democracy above the filibuster and its long history of thwarting progress to preserve white supremacy.

While this vote ultimately was not successful this time around, we commend all of our state and national partners who stepped up and have continued to advocate tirelessly for democracy, and we applaud the Biden administration and Senate Democratic leadership for highlighting the imperative of defending democracy and bringing a Senate rules change to a vote. We encourage both Senate Democratic leadership and the White House to continue to use all the tools available to get the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act on President Biden’s desk.

As an organization focused on protecting the voting rights of every American, we know that if we want to continue to build an inclusive democracy we must work even harder to educate and turn out voters. Our community must mobilize and organize to deliver another historic voter turnout and elect pro-democracy candidates at every level so that we are better positioned to pass legislation that is both popular and would improve the lives of all Americans, and we must stay engaged and defy those cynically working to suppress their voters through historic participation this fall.”

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The America Votes Senior Leadership Team is comprised of: Greg Speed, President; Sara Schreiber, Executive Director; Daria Dawson, Deputy Executive Director & National Political Director; Daniel Gonzales, Director of Planning and Program Analysis; Evan Kost, Director of Development and Investment Relations; Shabab Siddiqui, Director of Data and Targeting; and Josiette White, Field Director.

America Votes is the central coordination hub of the progressive community both nationally and in more than 20 states across the country, working with more than 400 state and national partner organizations to advance progressive policies, win elections and protect every American’s right to vote. Visit www.americavotes.org for more information.