Today, President Biden and Vice President Harris visited Georgia to forcefully advocate for two critical pieces of federal legislation: the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Following their remarks, Michigan Democratic Chair Lavora Barnes released the following statement.

“The honorable John Lewis once said ‘The right to vote is precious, almost sacred.’

“When Michiganders decisively voted for President Biden in 2020, Republicans immediately tried to subvert the votes of millions by promoting the Big Lie and urging suppressive legislation like ‘Secure MI Vote,’ not to make voting safer — but to construct barriers to the ballot box that would make it harder for young people, people of color, people with disabilities, and other marginalized communities to exercise their right to vote.  

“As the President and Vice President spoke about today, the resurgence of Jim Crow-style legislation being introduced by Republicans in Michigan and across the country is exactly why we must enact legislation at the federal level to guarantee that all Americans – whether Black, brown, or white – have access to the ballot. While Michigan Democrats like Governor Whitmer have fought against GOP-led efforts to suppress the fundamental right to vote, it’s time to heed President Biden’s call to pass both the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and Freedom to Vote Act to ensure free, fair, and secure elections.

“It’s time for the Senate to honor the legacy of John Lewis, unsung Black women suffragists like Michigan’s Lottie Wilson, and the countless other advocates who envisioned a democracy that worked for everyone, not just the select few, by passing these bills.”

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