WASHINGTON, D.C. – Democracy had a bad day today, shutting off debate on S.1, the For the People Act, and preventing this essential measure to repair our democracy from coming to a vote.
It includes measures that are overwhelmingly popular with the American people, like automatic voter registration, expanding early voting and making it easier to vote by mail. But none of that matters to Republicans.
The same Republican Senators who blocked a bipartisan investigation into a deadly attack on our Capitol are trying to use the same loophole to block legislation that the majority of Americans across the political spectrum have overwhelmingly demanded to protect our freedom to vote. They know that our vote is our voice—and that’s why they are adamant to silence us. Voter suppression, nullification, and restrictions are all designed to create obstacles to stop us from voting, but we cannot be stopped.
We will never truly live in a nation “by and for the people” until we fix the cracks in our democracy that discriminate against the marginalized and communities of color.
NOW members are working in the states at the grassroots to stop the tidal wave of restrictive bills, 389 in 48 states and 22 new restrictive laws in 14 states, according to the Brennan Center. These bills and laws are specifically targeted towards voters of color, to keep the electorate from reflecting the increasing diversity of the U.S.
The outcome of today’s vote is the opening salvo in our summer-long fight to protect our freedom to vote and ensure that we all have a say in the key decisions that impact our lives. There will be more votes in the weeks ahead. NOW will be mobilizing our members at the state level to stop these restrictive bills and working with our coalition partners to demand that lawmakers listen to the will of the people. Our commitment to freedom to vote has not been dented—not at all.