Washington, D.C.— In response to the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements:

“Sixty years after Representative John Lewis was attacked on a bridge in Selma, Alabama, for demanding the right to vote, our fundamental rights, including our right to vote in free and fair elections, are under escalating attacks,” said LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa. “As the Trump administration, extremist Republicans in Congress, and far-right Justices on the Supreme Court attempt to roll back voting rights and prioritize the interests of Big Polluters and ultra-wealthy corporate CEOs over people in this country, it is critical that we protect every voter’s freedom to vote — no matter their race, income, or zip code. We urge Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and other critical voting rights legislation, including the Freedom to Vote Act and D.C. Statehood.”

***

“The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is needed now more than ever as our nation and communities face a ruthless assault on democracy, our civil rights, and our right to vote,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Our democracy is stronger when all citizens can participate freely and fairly, not just a few. Instead, we have constant attempts – from voter suppression to disinformation – to justify trying over and over to take away the right to vote from eligible voters. The reintroduction of this bill is critical to protect our fundamental right to choose leaders to represent us.”

###