Congresswoman Tlaib Statement on Senate’s Failure to Advance Voting Rights Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Thursday, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) released the following statement regarding the United States Senate’s failure to advance critical voting rights legislation on Wednesday night: 

“Last night, the Senate had the opportunity to reject a relic of the Jim Crow Era in the filibuster and continue along the path of justice to protecting and expanding voting rights for marginalized communities across this country. Tragically but not surprisingly, every Republican Senator and two corporate-aligned Democrats decided to embrace attacks on voting rights and our participatory democracy, and preserve an oppressive tool that will leave progress stagnant. 
 

“The fight for a fair and accessible democracy in the United States is as old as our country itself. For centuries, groups of Americans have been locked out of their government based on the color of their skin, their gender, and their class. Throughout this struggle, it has been the fight of people in the streets, organizing and demanding action and change, that has bent the arc of history towards justice. The sacrifices of countless people have expanded voting rights and made our democracy fairer, but those gains have always been under attack, and we now face a critical moment in our country’s history. We will not go back, and we will move forward.
 

“Tuesday’s votes were not aligned with the agenda of the people and the needs of our district. I hope all of my colleagues realize that these offices, titles, and responsibilities are not owned by us, but by the people. I know residents in my district and people across the country have fought day in and day out to protect and expand voting rights. They have my commitment that I will not stop fighting to ensure we have a Congress that takes bold action on moving democracy forward.”