WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives prior to the passage of H.R. 4: the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The bill would restore critical protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which were gutted by the Supreme Court in the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision.

 “How dare Republicans come to this floor and lecture America about masks and liberty over and over and over again, while at the same time undermining the precious right to vote. 
“Free and fair elections are central to our liberty, and we’re not going to let anyone take that away from us. 
“Those who worship at the altar of voter suppression will fail.
“Those who worship at the altar of Jim Crow like oppression will fail.
“Those who worship at the altar of turning back the clock to make America hate again will fail.
“We’re not going backward. 

The John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will become law, and when it’s all said and done, democracy will prevail, and good trouble will win the day.”

U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) is the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. He sits on the Judiciary and Budget Committees and proudly represents New York’s 8th Congressional District, including parts of Brooklyn and Queens in the House of Representatives.