For Immediate Release
November 2, 2021
Yesterday evening, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) filed cloture on the motion to proceed to the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Today, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) joined a substitute amendment as co-sponsors. Senator Murkowski told NBC News that she would vote yes on cloture for the bill. That vote is expected on Wednesday.
Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, had this reaction:
“Today the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act took a significant step closer to passage. It has the backing of the majority of the Senate, including Senators Joe Manchin and Lisa Murkowski, the president, and the American people.
“There are now two strong and urgently needed voting rights bills before the Senate: the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. Both have majority support. Both are essential to safeguard voting rights and the integrity of our democracy. And they both face obstruction. It is time to bring them to a vote.
“Senator Manchin has accomplished what he set out to do to ensure two strong bills that merit bipartisan support. He was an architect of the Freedom to Vote Act. He and his colleague across the aisle joined in supporting the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Now he and the rest of the Senate must move these bills to the president’s desk. Together, they’re the best way to keep our elections fair and secure.”
Brennan Center Resources
- “Voting Laws Roundup: October 2021” (Oct. 4, 2021)
- “Testimony on Protecting a Precious, Almost Sacred Right,” Wendy Weiser, testimony, Senate Committee on the Judiciary (Oct. 6, 2021; written testimony here)
- “Racial Turnout Gap Grew in Jurisdictions Previously Covered by the Voting Rights Act” (Aug. 20, 2021)
- “How the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Targets Discrimination,” Wendy Weiser, testimony, House Judiciary Committee’s Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Subcommittee, opening statement (Aug. 16, 2021; written testimony here)
- “Large Racial Turnout Gap Persisted in 2020 Election” (Aug. 6, 2021)
- “Reversing the Supreme Court’s Latest Blow to Voting Rights [Brnovich],” Sean Morales-Doyle, testimony, House Judiciary Committee’s Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Subcommittee, opening statement (July 16, 2021; written testimony here)
- “Honor John Lewis and Protect the Right to Vote,” Michael Waldman, opening statement, Committee on House Administration’s Subcommittee on Elections (June 24, 2021; written testimony here)
- “Oversight of the Voting Rights Act: A Continuing Record of Discrimination,” Wendy Weiser, testimony, House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (May 27, 2021; written testimony here)
