Statement from America Votes Leadership on Status of the For the People Act (S.1)

WASHINGTON, DC– Tonight, Senate Republicans filibustered the For the People Act (S.1), the landmark voting rights bills that would enact sweeping reform to voting regulations, election administration, and gerrymandering, halting progress during American democracy’s most vulnerable moment. As the coordination hub of the progressive community working to protect every American’s right to vote, the America Votes Senior Leadership Team released the following statement on S.1:

“The Senate’s failure to take action on S.1 today is disappointing, but it’s not the end of the road for voting rights reform. The provisions within the For the People Act are overwhelmingly popular with the American people, regardless of geography or political affiliation. Nonetheless, the same Republican Senators who blocked an investigation into the deadly attack on our Capitol have now filibustered consideration of these common sense reforms needed to strengthen our democracy.

“This comes after Republicans across the country introduced nearly 400 bills designed to amplify the Big Lie and further restrict our freedom to vote. Following a record 159 million votes cast in 2020 – driven by historic participation from BIPOC voters and young voters – Republicans are actively working to erode the foundation of our democracy as a strategy for winning future elections. From restricting access to early voting and voting by mail to empowering Republican-led legislatures to nullify election results, their aims couldn’t be clearer.

“This isn’t just a voting issue—it’s an equity issue. Research has shown that measures such as voter ID requirements, restricted early voting periods, and limited polling and ballot drop-box locations disproportionately impact BIPOC communities. Additionally, making absentee voting and vote-by-mail more difficult disproportionately impacts disabled voters. This results in historically marginalized communities continuing to be left out of the conversation.

“Senators Schumer and Manchin have both stated that inaction on this issue is not an option. We agree, and we expect action. Here at America Votes, we are determined to keep up the fight to advance progressive policies, win elections, and protect every American’s right to vote.”

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The America Votes Senior Leadership Team is comprised of: Greg Speed, President; Sara Schreiber, Executive Director; Tanya Brown, Chief of Staff; Daria Dawson, 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.