Speaker Pelosi Delivers Remarks in Support of Voting Rights Legislation

Our nation faces one of the most dangerous assaults on the vote since Jim Crow. Last year alone, more than 440 draconian voter restrictions were introduced across 49 states with 19 states enacting 34 measures into law. This restrictive legislation seeks to suppress access to the ballot and empowers states to nullify election results — entirely while specifically targeting communities of color. Our legislation the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act contains four important pieces that everyone should know about and why every Member should vote for this bill today. This bill ends shameful voter suppression and election subversion that allows officials choose winners and losers based on their own interests. It ends partisan gerrymandering so that the redistricting process will meet the standards of the Voting Rights Act. It stops big dark special interest money suffocating the airwaves with misrepresentation thatsuppressesthe voices of the American people. And, this legislation empowers the grassroots by rewarding their participation in our democracy amplifying their voices and small dollar contributions. The House has made clear: we stand with the people in the fight for voting rights — because nothing less than our democracy is at stake. Watch my full speech above.