NH Senate Democrats Respond to US Senate Republicans Blocking John Lewis Voting Rights Act
Contact Name: Marina Altschiller
Phone: (603) 271-3207
CONCORD – Earlier this afternoon, U.S. Senate Republicans once again blocked the John Lewis Voting Rights Act from advancing by voting against a motion to even allow for debate on the legislation. Named for the late lifelong civil rights leader Representative John Lewis of Georgia, this legislation would provide critical protections to disenfranchised voters by updating provisions of the Voting Rights Act, originally passed in 1965.
Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) issued the following statement after the vote:
“As elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the constitutional rights of our citizens—all of our citizens—are upheld and protected. It is incredibly disappointing that U.S. Senate Republicans have yet again blocked the John Lewis Voting Rights Act from advancing, or from even being discussed. Voting rights have never been more imperiled in this country than they are right now. This was an important opportunity for Congress to update and reaffirm their commitment to protecting every citizen’s right to vote, and I am deeply disappointed that partisanship prevailed over protecting constitutional rights.
I am tremendously grateful to New Hampshire’s U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan for not only co-sponsoring this critical legislation, but for always recognizing that the right to vote is among our most precious rights. As Democrats, we will continue to fight for fair policies that ensure that voter disenfranchisement has no place in New Hampshire.”
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