John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 would restore and strengthen parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, certain portions of which were struck down by two United States Supreme Court decisions: Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee. 

In the 117th Congress, H.R. 4 was introduced in the House by Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) on August 17, 2021, where it passed 219-212.

ACTION REQUEST:

• Contact your Senators and ask them to support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
• If your Senator has already supported or co-sponsored, contact them to thank them for their support. 

TALKING POINTS: 

• Fifty-six years ago, President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act to protect our freedom to vote and ensure that discriminatory barriers to voting never get enacted. The Senate must act NOW to strengthen the VRA for future generations.
• The Voting Rights Act – signed by LBJ 56 years ago – has a strong bipartisan history. The law has been reauthorized four times – each time by a Republican president with overwhelming support in Congress.
• No matter our race, background, or zip code, most of us believe that for democracy to work for all of us, it must include us ALL. That requires bold action at the federal level to protect our freedom to vote.
• It’s been more than eight years since #SCOTUS gutted the Voting Rights Act. The Senate must fix this injustice so that we have the tools to effectively combat current racial discrimination in voting.
• EVERY eligible voter should be able to cast their ballot on Election Day — free from obstruction or intimidation. But without the protections of the Voting Rights Act, voters must overcome discriminatory laws, needless barriers, and partisan tactics just to be heard in our democracy.
• Congressman John Lewis dedicated his life to fighting inequality wherever he saw it – in our justice system, voting polls, and beyond. The best way to honor his legacy is by passing this groundbreaking voting rights bill into law.