We Must Have Voting Rights Legislation - Texas And Nation Can't Wait
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Valerie Street
vgstreet@ourvotetexas.org
Austin, TX - Earlier today, Our Vote Texas joined in a letter of support with 129 other organizations urging members of the Senate to move to the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to enable consideration of the bipartisan compromise reached by Senators. The bill however fell short of the 60 votes needed to proceed.
FOR MORE ON THIS: Senate Republicans block debate on a third major voting rights bill
See the full letter of support that Our Vote Texas signed here.
Valerie Street, President of Our Vote Texas issues the following statement:
“We find ourselves here again where critical voting rights legislation meant to secure the power of the people so that we can realize a more inclusive democracy is overruled by a determined group of lawmakers who would keep us silenced to perpetuate a hold on power.
“We all deserve a freedom to vote that is protected but of course Texans know all too well that this freedom has been under relentless attack. Texas voters have been battling to protect their voice in civic engagement for the entirety of 2021 and we’ve seen shades of this play out across many other parts of the country.
“The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act provides much needed protection by stopping the adoption of discriminatory voting practices before they go into effect and establishing better transparency intended to protect our right to vote. It would also strengthen necessary provisions that could thwart efforts to silence some of the most vulnerable and historically disenfranchised voters in the country.
“We unfortunately remain weary and frustrated to see leaders in the Senate once again mobilize to block important voting rights legislation that uplifts the voice and power of the people. We call upon leaders in Congress to take necessary steps to reform the filibuster so that the will of the people can be heard in the halls of the Senate and so that vitally important legislation to the health and strength of democracy can be finally realized for us all.”
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Our Vote Texas is a people-powered nonprofit committed to advancing voter rights education in Texas. Formerly Texas Progressive Action Network.
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Our Vote Texas
https://ourvotetexas.org/
https://twitter.com/ourvotetexas