FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 14, 2022
Government Accountability Project Applauds House Passage of the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, a voting rights bill that will ensure voters can safely and freely cast their ballots, protect against election sabotage, stop partisan gerrymandering, and limit the influence of dark money in politics.
Government Accountability Project is committed to defending our nation’s election system, which is why we launched the Democracy Protection Initiative in 2020. This program provides know-your-rights resources to employees that may need to blow the whistle on threats to our fragile democracy. It’s not enough for citizens of conscience to protect election integrity and the franchise though – lawmakers must act. As the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act heads to the Senate, we call on members to pass it into law.
Government Accountability Project Executive Director and CEO Louis Clark Commented:
“As a nation that espouses democratic ideals it is fundamental that it safeguard voting rights. In the beginning only white male landowners could vote, but through constitutional amendments we expanded this right. Unfortunately, twice we have gone the other direction. The first was during the Jim Crow era from the 1880s up to the 1960s, until the Voting Rights Act largely curtailed decades of voter suppression. The second time is now, when 19 states have passed 33 restrictive voter laws in efforts to disenfranchise, while a majority of senators appear to be choosing to protect procedures that have historically been used to thwart civil rights.
If we are ever to become great as a nation, we must protect the vote of all citizens. The passing of this legislation by the House is a major step in the right direction, but we need the Senate to also be on the right side of this nation’s history.”
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Contact: Andrew Harman, Communications Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 926-3304
Government Accountability Project
Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.