“Today, Senator Manchin reiterated a quote from James Madison saying that the purpose of the Senate is ‘first, to protect the people against their rulers.’ That is exactly what Americans are asking Senator Manchin to do by passing the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.
“Voters face continued attacks from their elected leaders on the freedom to vote. Last year alone, 19 states passed 34 bills to restrict equal access to the ballot box and deliberately weaken the power of minority voters. Dark money groups spent billions of dollars to buy elected officials that would be rubber stamps for their agendas. We cannot tolerate partisan politicians who put special interests ahead of the public interest and use racial gerrymandering to undermine fair representation for all Americans.
“As the Senate approaches a vote to decide the future of the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, Senator Manchin must uphold what he agrees is the first purpose of the Senate: protect the people against their rulers and pass this bill.”
