WASHINGTON, DC –  Christine Chen, Executive Director of Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), issued the following statement after the Senate failed to move forward with voting on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act after it was filibustered.

“Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote condemns the Senate’s failure to begin debate on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, after being filibustered by a minority of Senators blocking the way to upholding the freedom to vote.”

“The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore many of the powers found in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, updating the requirement that states with a history of racial discrimination get preapproval, referred to as “preclearance”, of certain changes to their voting laws from the federal government to ensure that those changes are not discriminatory.This legislation is needed to make sure current and future discriminatory voting laws are prevented from being passed and eroding our democracy.  The bill is also important to the growing Asian American and Pacific Islander community as it extends the language minority protections contained in the Voting Rights Act for another 5 years.”

“For too long, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been left out of the decision-making process that impacts our communities’ very livelihood. Just as our communities came out and voted in historic numbers in 2020, we are seeing attempts to silence us all across the country to keep us away from the decision-making table. This cannot stand. We will continue to organize, push back, educate, and advocate – but without federal action, our efforts will be futile.”

“The Senate must do whatever it takes to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, as well as the Freedom to Vote Act. The time to pass these bills is quickly running out. These bills are integral to protecting, strengthening, and expanding our democracy. If we do not pass these bills now, we may never have another chance.”

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About APIAVote: Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is a national nonpartisan organization that works with partners to mobilize Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in electoral and civic participation. APIAVote envisions a world that is inclusive, fair, and collaborative, and where AAPI communities are self-determined, empowered, and engaged. See our website for more information at https://www.apiavote.org/