Reps. Ruben Gallego and Mondaire Jones’s Inclusive Elections Act Included in Newly Released John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, was introduced in the House with key provisions of Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rep. Mondaire Jones's (D-NY) Inclusive Elections Act included in the bill. In July, following the Supreme Court's decision in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee, Jones introduced the Inclusive Elections Act with Rep. Gallego to restore Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act so that any voter suppression law will once again be illegal if it disparately burdens people of color or linguistic minorities.
"I am incredibly proud that my and Rep. Mondaire Jones' Inclusive Elections Act is included in H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act," said Rep. Ruben Gallego. "Rep. Jones and I introduced the Inclusive Elections Act after the Supreme Court upheld two Arizona voter suppression laws in Brnovich vs. DNC. The weakening of the Voting Rights Act over the last two decades has undermined our democracy and the right to vote. Our bill – and now H.R. 4 – will restore the promise of the Voting Rights Act by ensuring that Black and brown voters cannot be targeted by racist voter suppression laws. With voting rights under assault across the country, there is no time to waste when it comes to protecting our democracy. Congress must immediately pass H.R. 4 to defend the voting rights of all Americans."
"The right to vote is under assault in state houses across the country, and at the Supreme Court," said Rep. Mondaire Jones. "That's why, within hours of the Court's latest assault on the Voting Rights Act in Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee, I introduced the Inclusive Elections Act with Rep. Gallego to reverse that devastating ruling and restore Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to its full strength. Six weeks later, I am grateful our colleagues have followed our lead and restored Section 2 in the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Just as we proposed, once again a voter suppression law will be illegal if it disparately burdens people of color or linguistic minorities. Now, our full focus must be on getting HR 4, along with the For the People Act, through the Senate and onto President Biden's desk so that we can save our democracy and protect the right to vote."
Rep. Ruben Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
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