March 4, 2021

Advancement Project National Office Celebrates Passage of For the People Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives historically passed H.R. 1 – the For the People Act – a pro-democracy piece of legislation that protects and strengthens access to voting, blunts the influence of dark money in politics and establishes anti-corruption measures for government. Advancement Project National Office, a 21^st century civil rights and racial justice organization released the following statement.

“By passing H.R. 1, the House of Representatives voted to create a more inclusive democracy—one in which Black and Brown voters have equal access to the ballot box and have an equal say in the governing of the communities in which they live,” said Judith Browne Dianis, Executive Director of Advancement Project National Office. “The 2020 election and its aftermath revealed that some state and local officials believe that making it harder for people of color to vote gives them a political advantage. The provisions of H.R. 1 help dispose of the voter suppression tools used to silence the voice of communities of color. By blocking discriminatory voter roll purges, restoring the voting rights of 1.7 million Americans disenfranchised by criminal convictions, and expanding access to voter registration, the legislation makes transformative changes that will expand our democracy.”

“As the Supreme Court considers a case that would further weaken the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the significance of H.R. 1 cannot be understated,” said Jorge Vasquez, Power & Democracy Director for Advancement Project National Office. “Democracy deferred is democracy denied for Black and Brown communities. Ensuring that the voice of America’s increasingly diverse electorate is heard will ensure government is of the people and for the people. There is no doubt that the For the People Act will strengthen the political voice of Black and Brown communities.

“The record turnout during the 2020 elections also showed us what is possible when voting is free, fair, safe and accessible to all communities,” continued Dianis. “Americans want to participate in our democracy and when measures are implemented to make voting less cumbersome, they eagerly participate in the process. Black and Brown voters cast ballots in record numbers despite a pandemic, waiting in disproportionately longer lines, at fewer early voting sites, with fewer election resources. The For the People Act is one step that moves us closer to a reality where this is no more. We applaud the passage of H.R. 1 and urge the U.S. Senate to quickly pass the legislation.”

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Advancement Project National Office 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

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