Today Senate Republicans voted to block debate on the Freedom to Vote Act and prevent the bill from receiving a floor vote.
Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, had this reaction:
“Today the Senate minority blocked urgent action to secure our democracy. That cannot stand.
“Those behind the Big Lie exploit weak spots in our systems in state legislatures. This law would make those efforts much harder. These state laws target voters of color. The Freedom to Vote Act is a vital response.
“A majority of the Senate supports it. The House has passed a companion bill. The president will sign it. Only Republican obstruction and a broken Senate process prevents this from becoming law.
“We can’t let Senate dysfunction stop urgent action to protect the right to vote, ban gerrymandering, and reform a corrupt campaign finance system. Together with the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act will ensure fair representation for all Americans.”
Brennan Center Resources
- “Freedom to Vote Act” (fact sheet, Sept. 20, 2021)
- “Freedom to Vote Act Is a Big Deal for Redistricting” (analysis, Oct. 13, 2021)
- “Key Differences Between the For the People Act and the Freedom to Vote Act” (fact sheet, Oct. 14, 2021)
- “Voting Laws Roundup: October 2021” (statistics, Oct. 4, 2021)
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