Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) issued the following statement in response to the Senate’s failure to advance debate on S. 1, the For the People Act, legislation to counter the restrictive voting measures enacted in states across the country, including Texas. 

“Voting is the very foundation of our democratic society—and our success as a democracy depends on protecting it.  It is the obligation of the Congress to ensure that all Americans are able to exercise their constitutional right to vote.  This is a pivotal moment for our democracy, as we have seen in Texas and states across the country, and Congress must act to protect it. 

“While today’s Senate vote was deeply disappointing, I remain committed to working to pass legislation to protect the right to vote, including H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.  This is critical legislation to ensure that our government remains one of, by, and for the people.” 

Background: 

Congresswoman Fletcher is a co-sponsor of the House version of S. 1, H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which passed in March.  She was an original co-sponsor and voted in support of H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, in the 116^th Congress. 

Congresswoman Fletcher also joined the Texas Congressional delegation calling on Majority Leader Schumer to take up both H.R. 1 and H.R. 4 in the Senate, writing: “Although civil and voting rights activists across Texas continue to fiercely fight to prevent these Texas bills from becoming law, they require reinforcement from the Federal government. It is imperative that the U.S. Senate immediately take up and move forward the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, with appropriate amendments if necessary, to ensure all Texans – and all Americans – can access their right to vote, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, income, disability, or party affiliation.”