Press Releases

LCV Condemns GOP Obstruction of S. 1

Jun 22, 2021

Contact: Emily Samsel, esamsel@lcv.org, 828-713-9647

Washington, D.C. — After Republican senators blocked the For the People Act, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statement from Voting Rights Program Director Justin Kwasa:

“Republican obstruction is nothing new and the people won’t stand for it. Our right to vote is under unprecedented attack and S. 1, the For the People Act, must be enacted into law this year. Passing S. 1 would strengthen voting rights, prevent polluter CEOs from flooding money into our elections, and ensure we can elect leaders who govern in our interests by having congressional districts drawn by independent commissions. In short, it would unrig our political system and return power to people.

“Thank you Majority Leader Schumer for making democracy reform a top priority in this Congress and putting this bill to a vote. Inaction is not an option and we look forward to working together to get the For the People Act over the finish line.”

In state legislative sessions this year, 48 states have already introduced, prefiled, or carried more than 389 bills to restrict or limit voting access. These bills were intentionally written to suppress the record numbers of Black and Brown voters who turned out in 2020. Enacting the For the People Act will supersede these suppressive state laws and modernize our voting system to ensure a consistent, accessible, and secure process for voters across the country.

LCV sent a letter to the full Senate earlier this month noting that Senators’ votes on S. 1 will definitely be scored in the 2021 National Environmental Scorecard — a departure from standard procedure because of unprecedented attacks on voting rights across the U.S. The letter also calls on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster rule.

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