CONGRESSMAN GONZALEZ VOTES TO PASS THE FREEDOM TO VOTE: JOHN R. LEWIS ACT TO PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS

Statement

Today, January 13, 2022, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted to advance the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act to protect voting rights across the country. This legislation combines key elements of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, setting basic standards nationwide to ensure the voices of all Americans are heard.

"The right to vote is sacred and a cornerstone of our democracy," stated Congressman Gonzalez. "In Texas, we have seen our own state legislature and numerous others across the country make it harder for people to vote. By passing his legislation we can restore our democracy and ensure a fair electoral process throughout the United States. I am proud to stand with my House colleagues in support of this urgently needed legislation and I urge the Senate to take up this bill without delay."

The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, among other important elements, will:

· Expand automatic voter registration and same day registration

· Make Election Day a federal holiday

· Improve access to the ballot box for voters with disabilities, military, and overseas voters

· Protect elections from foreign interference and improves election security

· End partisan gerrymandering

· Require the disclosure of dark money

This bill also includes the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore the pre-clearance provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It would require states with a history of racial discrimination in voting to seek approval from the Department of Justice to enact changes to their local voting systems.

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