Issue One CEO and Founder Nick Penniman responds to VRAA filibuster

In response to the Republican filibuster of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Issue One CEO and Founder Nick Penniman issued the following statement:

“It’s a sad day in America when only one Republican in the United States Senate stands up to support every American’s freedom to vote. The last time the Voting Rights Act was reauthorized, it was done with unanimous support in the Senate and signed by a Republican president. The only difference today is naked partisan politics, and that is a shame.

“Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) worked with her colleagues across the aisle to come up with a compromise. It’s a good bill. By blocking even debate on this crucial piece of legislation, the Republicans are turning their backs on their own history of supporting equal access to the ballot for all.

“States across the country have been passing laws with extreme provisions making it harder for people to vote and easier for partisans to overturn the will of the people. The message from the Republicans to the states today is clear: if you want to make it harder to vote, Congress won’t stand in your way.

“We will not stop fighting for this law and other important political reforms. We will continue to work to bring Republicans and Democrats together around strengthening our democracy. This work is too important and urgent to let up. The Senate must do whatever it takes to get this done.”