House Passes John Lewis Voting Rights Act, DC Statehood Makes for Senate Voting Rights Trifecta

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 24, 2021

PRESS CONTACT:
Patrice Snow
[email protected]

Will Soltero
[email protected]

WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, sending it onto the Senate. In response, DC Vote’s Communications Director Patrice Snow released the following statement:

“This year, we’ve seen state legislatures across the country attempt to decimate voting rights. In passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Congress today took a key step toward fulfilling the promise of democracy for all Americans—and DC residents should be no exception,” said Snow.

“The true advancement of voting rights must come hand-in-hand with a guarantee of voting representation for the District of Columbia. Upon return from their recess in September, the Senate must give immediate consideration to three bills: The For the People Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and the Washington D.C. Admission Act.”

Snow continued, “DC cannot be left behind while Congress advances democracy for all Americans. Calls to advance voting rights while negating the circumstances faced by Washingtonians just aren’t good enough. Despite what some lawmakers may say, yard signs are not a valid substitute for voting representation in Congress—they’ll never be a valid substitute for Statehood.”

“Nearly 30 years ago, John Lewis himself said that ‘It is not right that there is still an America where there is still some taxation without representation.’ As we honor Rep. Lewis’ remarkable legacy with an act that bears his name, let’s honor those words, as well and pass DC Statehood,” Snow finished.

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