Senator Hirono Statement on Republicans Blocking Voting Rights Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement after Republicans blocked the Senate from considering the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act:

“The freedom to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy—without it, we don’t have one, it’s that simple. I never thought I’d see the day where protecting this sacred right has become a partisan issue. It was not a partisan issue the five times the Senate reauthorized the Voting Rights Act.  Yet, Republicans continue to sit back and let state legislatures across the country pass laws that are making it significantly harder, if not impossible, for certain people to vote.

“These voter suppression laws—and the lies Republicans are spewing about them—are directly undermining our democracy and the integrity of our election system. If this isn’t un-American, I don’t know what is.

“We celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day this week—he fought for voting rights and civil rights his whole life. Many Republicans joined in acknowledging his contributions. What would Dr. King say about the battle we are waging over protecting our freedom to vote? He would call on all of us to get on with it, get it done—period. After tonight’s vote, the battle is not over. We will continue to show the American people what’s at stake and fight to pass comprehensive voting rights legislation.”

###