Mississippi Votes Statement on House Passage of John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

JACKSON – Today, Mississippi Votes Executive Director Arekia Bennett issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives’ recent passage of HR4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act:

“The House of Representatives has chosen to honor the legacy of John Lewis and protect the sacred freedom to vote. By passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Mississippi is now one step closer to an inclusive democracy that works for all.

“Mississippi Votes thanks Rep. Bennie Thompson, a cosponsor of the bill, for voting in favor of H.R. 4. Together, the For the People Act (S1) and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are key tools to protecting the right to vote not only in Mississippi, but across the country.

“HR4 would respond to discriminatory voting rules enacted in Mississippi since the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County that gutted key protections in the Voting Rights Act, and restore federal oversight to prevent further laws and practices from being implemented in the future. The For the People Act would establish minimum national standards that ensure the freedom to vote is accessible for all eligible Americans.

“We encourage all Mississippians to call Sen. Roger Wicker and Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and express their support for these important pieces of legislation. We are living in a critical moment for progress on voting rights. With redistricting approaching in Mississippi, we cannot afford to wait any longer. Mississippi needs the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act to restore and protect our right to vote.”

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PRESS CONTACT: Seth Nieman | 601-341-6234 | seth@msvotes.org