U.S. democracy advocates welcome effort to pass voting rights law

Sewel explains that bill aims to rejuvenate and update the Act, a key law that was weakened by a Supreme Court ruling 10 years ago

WASHINGTON – Democracy advocacy organizations in the U.S. have praised Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s revival of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

The bill is expected to face challenges in the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a majority.

Sewell highlighted the importance of the bill, stating that the nation’s Democratic heritage is threatened by recent restrictive voting measures.

“Generations of Americans—many in my hometown of Selma, Alabama—marched, fought, and even died for the equal right of all Americans to vote,” she said.

“The fight for voting rights has never been more urgent,” she argued.

The legislation—named for the late Democratic Georgia congressman and civil rights leader—aims to restore and modernize the full protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA).

Sewel explained that the bill aims to rejuvenate and update the Act, a key law that was weakened by a Supreme Court ruling 10 years ago.

Although the bill has unanimous support from Democrats in the House, it still faces several hurdles in Congress.

Nonetheless, interest groups have reiterated their support for these reforms.

Lisa Gilbert, vice president of Public Citizen, highlighted the critical role of this bill, noting the numerous laws passed recently that impede voting rights for minority groups.

Leslie Proll of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights called for immediate action at the federal level, recalling the historic bipartisan approval of the Voting Rights Act.

Michael Waldman of the Brennan Center for Justice echoed this sentiment, calling on Congress to quickly pass John Lewis’ important bill along with the Freedom to Vote Act.