UltraViolet Slams Senate After Failing to Pass Freedom to Vote Act, Causing Direct Harm to Women of Color
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, October 20, 2021
CONTACT: Anna Zuccaro | anna@unbendablemedia.com
UltraViolet Slams Senate After Failing to Pass Freedom to Vote Act, Causing Direct Harm to Women of Color
WASHINGTON, DC — Moments ago, the Senate rejected the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act in a 51-to 49 vote. The bill would have established Election Day as a national holiday, set national minimum standards for early voting and voting by mail, and included standards for states that require voter identification.
The bill was drafted by Democrats in response to a wave of new restrictions from Republican-controlled state legislatures across the country.
In response, Shaunna Thomas, executive director at UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy organization, issued the following statement:
“Republicans have a long history of opposing voting rights. For decades, the GOP has restricted access to the polls to maintain power. No one has suffered more from these flagrant voter suppression laws than women of color. The most recent wave of GOP voter restriction laws is a clear response to the groundswell of support for voting rights and organizing efforts led by women of color.
“The GOP Senators who voted against the Freedom to Vote Act are the same Senators who oppose abortion access ,equal pay, reauthorizing the Violence against Women Act and protecting LGBTQ rights. These Senators are a direct reflection of the dangerous and deadly ideology responsible for the invasion of our nation’s capitol on January 6th.
“Today’s vote in the Senate is the right-wing’s latest affront to our democracy made possible by the filibuster.
“The Senate should be passing laws like the Freedom to Vote Act by any means necessary. This includes abolishing the filibuster. Instead, the Senate has become a graveyard for legislation drafted to safeguard our constitutional rights. Because of the filibuster, the GOP can hinder fundamental legal protections with arcane procedure. This is completely unacceptable.
“Senators have an obligation to legislate, not hide behind outdated partisan processes. Today’s vote is an exemplary instance of how the GOP hides behind outdated laws to remain in power.”
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