Biden calls on Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act

In his State of the Union address Thursday night, President Biden slammed the growing number of bills that would make it harder to vote.

“A transformative moment in our nation’s history occurred 59 years ago today in Selma, Alabama,” Biden said. “Hundreds of foot soldiers seeking justice marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, named after the KKK’s great dragon, to assert their fundamental right to vote. They were beaten and bloody. , left for dead.”

That day, March 7, 1965, became known as “Bloody Sunday.”

Biden went on to talk about the late Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.), a Freedom Rider and founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee who led protesters across the bridge that day. He was beaten on national television.

“Our late friend and former colleague John Lewis was also at the march,” Biden said. “We will miss him.”

His comments drew applause and a standing ovation from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), the first time he had stood during a presidential speech.

Mr. Biden drew attention to one of the marchers, Betty Mae Fikes, known as the “Voice of Selma,” who was in the audience for Mr. Biden’s speech. She and other nonviolent demonstrators helped “shake the conscience of the people” to get the Voting Rights Act passed in late 1965.

“But 59 years later, there are forces that are taking us back in time. Voter suppression. Election destruction. Unrestricted dark money. Extreme gerrymandering,” Biden said.

Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023, at least 14 states enacted 17 restrictive voting laws, while at least 356 restrictive bills were enacted, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice. It has been considered by legislators in 47 states.

Many of these laws disproportionately impact black voters, the majority of whom lean Democratic.

Organizations such as the Congressional Black Caucus have repeatedly called for passage of the Voting Freedom Act. The bill would require all 50 states to offer early voting at least two weeks before Election Day, including nights and weekends. 10 hours per day.

The caucus also strongly supports the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Improvement Act, which expands the government’s ability to respond to voter discrimination.

“John Lewis was a great friend to many of us here,” Biden said Thursday. “But if we want to honor him and all the heroes who marched with him, it’s time to do more than just talk. Pass the Voting Freedom Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and send it to me. , stop denying another core American value!”

Biden’s comments follow a push this week from Black leaders across the country calling on the president to address the legacy of Bloody Sunday.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including caucus chairman Rep. Stephen Horsford (D-Nev.), were seen giving Biden a standing ovation during his speech.