Press Releases

LCV Statement on Republicans Blocking Freedom to Vote Act

Oct 20, 2021

Contact: Emily Samsel, esamsel@lcv.org, 828-713-9647

Washington, D.C. — In response to the Freedom to Vote Act failing to pass the Senate due to a Republican filibuster, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statement from Doug Lindner, Advocacy Director for Judiciary & Democracy:

“It is alarming and undemocratic that Republicans continue to use the archaic filibuster rule to prevent overwhelmingly popular voting rights legislation from passing the Senate. The Freedom to Vote Act is essential to protecting our democracy, making sure all people can exercise their right to vote, and ending partisan gerrymandering. The communities targeted by voter suppression — people of color, young people, people with disabilities, and indigenous people — also disproportionately bear the burden of threats to our air, water, and climate. While Republican state legislators make it harder for marginalized people to vote, Republican Senators are blocking the Senate majority from protecting that fundamental right. Senate Democrats must step up and eliminate or reform the filibuster in order to get democracy reforms passed including the Freedom to Vote Act, John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and D.C. Statehood. They cannot allow an undemocratic relic of history to keep holding back democracy itself.”

LCV first called on the Senate to eliminate the arcane filibuster rule in June to protect the health of our democracy and environment. LCV is proud to be a sponsoring organization for the Freedom to Vote Relay that began today in West Virginia. This four day march from Charlestown to the Washington, D.C.  is a clear statement that the voters want the vital protection that are found in this bill and are demanding that the Senate pass this bill by any means necessary. We look forward to the concluding rally at the Capitol this Saturday at 11:30.

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