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The Progressive

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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
AFSCME
Contact:

Nick Voutsinos, nvoutsinos@afscme.org 

AFSCME President Lee Saunders Sends Letter to the Hill, Urges Senators to Pass Voting Rights Legislation

Today, on behalf of the union's 1.4 million members, AFSCME President Lee Saunders sent a letter to U.S. senators urging them to act now to protect and expand the freedom to vote. Specifically, Saunders called on senators to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.
Saunders wrote that there is no time for arcane Senate rules as millions of Americans have already seen their right to vote threatened by state legislatures across the country.

WASHINGTON
Today, on behalf of the union's 1.4 million members, AFSCME President Lee Saunders sent a letter to U.S. senators urging them to act now to protect and expand the freedom to vote. Specifically, Saunders called on senators to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.
Saunders wrote that there is no time for arcane Senate rules as millions of Americans have already seen their right to vote threatened by state legislatures across the country.
"According to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy institute at New York University, at least 19 states have enacted 34 laws that will make it harder for Americans to vote," Saunders wrote. "Congress must act swiftly to protect the right to vote for all Americans."
As we approach the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who risked everything to expand the right to vote, Saunders also reminded senators that "there can be no true celebration of his life without the passage of this needed legislation."
Saunders' letter to the Senate is below:
"On behalf of the 1.4 million members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), I am writing in support of the House Amendment to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and any Senate rule changes needed to pass this legislation. Our democracy is at stake. Congress must take strong and principled action to pass this much needed voting rights legislation now.
"Many state legislatures have taken radical action to suppress the votes of people of color, voters with disabilities, young people, and members of other historically underrepresented groups. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan law and policy institute at New York University, at least 19 states have enacted 34 laws that will make it harder for Americans to vote. This unprecedented attack on voting rights comes on the heels of record voter turnout in the midst of a pandemic. Congress must act swiftly to protect the right to vote for all Americans.
"As we begin this year with remembrance of the attack on the Capitol on January 6, we must remain vigilant about defending our fundamental democratic rights and institutions. AFSCME has been fighting for the right to vote since before the enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We have opposed voter suppression in whatever form it takes. Now is the time to enact these critical protections against the onslaught of voter suppression that has escalated in the last decade and accelerated over the last year. Arcane Senate rules must not prevent a majority of senators from protecting and enhancing our most precious rights as Americans.
"Dr. Martin Luther King Day is a day of service, and Congress must serve our country through action. The way to honor Dr. King is to act now to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act so that every vote counts. There can be no true celebration of his life without the passage of this needed legislation."

AFSCME members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in hundreds of different occupations, AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.

(202) 429-1000
www.afscme.org
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