Congress: Defend the Voting Rights Act: Defend Constitutional Equality & The Law

Today I take pen in hand to write and urge you in the strongest possible terms to defend the Voting Rights Act of 1965. As we all know, it’s a cornerstone of American democracy, enshrining the fundamental right of all citizens to participate in the electoral process regardless of race or ethnicity. However, this landmark legislation is facing an existential threat by extremists and racist legislators and moneyed fringe groups right now. Without private enforcement, this pillar of democracy collapses entirely, leaving voters with no champion—neither citizen advocates nor their own government! After decades of systematic attacks by hostile courts, Republican lawmakers, and an administration dedicated to turning us into some kind of authoritarian Confederate States, it must be halted. This coordinated assault has severely undermined the VRA's core provisions, particularly the pre-clearance requirement, smashed in 2013, that prevented discriminatory voting changes before they could harm voters. With the VRA's foundation crumbling, we are witnessing brazen and illegal acts of voter suppression targeting communities of color across the nation. From restrictive voter ID laws, to polling place closures, and increasingly allowing voter intimidation tactics, these measures disproportionately disenfranchise Black, Hispanic, Native American, and other underrepresented groups. Without federal oversight and private enforcement mechanisms, countless eligible voters will be silenced, their voices stolen by those seeking to consolidate power through racial discrimination. This is what happens in failed democracies the world over. The time to act is now. The battle to defend the Voting Rights Act is now a fight for the very future of our democracy. As one solution, legislatively, we must urgently reinforce this crumbling pillar by passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This crucial legislation would restore pre-clearance, expand protection to all jurisdictions engaging in discriminatory practices, and ensure robust private enforcement when the government fails to act. Our democratic principles and the legacy of the civil rights movement demand no less. Thank you for your attention to this matter of defending our democracy from those that would destroy it.