February 29, 2024
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senators Dick Durbin (Ill.), Raphael Warnock (Ga.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), and Laphonza Butler (Calif.) reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This bill would restore a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 called the “coverage formula,” thereby requiring federal pre-approval of new voting laws before they are used by certain states and localities.
In response, John Powers, Director of the Power and Democracy Program at Advancement Project, issued this statement:
“Advancement Project applauds the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It is a critical piece of legislation that, if passed, would stop racially discriminatory voter suppression and voter dilution measures in covered jurisdictions. Too many discriminatory voting laws have been enacted since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder. Advancement Project and our local partners have been stepping up to combat racial discrimination in voting wherever it rears its head ever since, and we stand ready to do so again. We continue to work tirelessly to protect the right to vote and to make good on America’s promise of fair and inclusive representation.”
In 2022, a number of U.S. Senators blocked two critical voting rights bills, the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, from advancing to a final vote.
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Advancement Project is a next-generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social movements and achieve high impact policy change. Visit www.advancementproject.org to learn more.