Republicans Once Again Block A Vote For Voting Rights Legislation, Taking Us One Step Closer to Destroying Our Democracy

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa and Director of Voter Protection Rose Clouston issued the following statement on Voting Rights Legislation:

“Today, because of the obstruction of Republican Senators, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act did not advance in the U.S. Senate, but the fight is not over. Democrats, and especially Texas Democrats, are committed to voting rights and we will not be weakened in our mission to protect all voters and their freedom to vote.

“Senate Republicans confirmed what they’ve shown us for over a year: the Republican Party is the greatest threat to American democracy. I’m disgusted, but unsurprised, that both Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz were among those who voted to stop this critical voting rights legislation from going forward. Texas Republicans are willing to sacrifice our democracy and silence voters in order to keep themselves in power. They know they cannot win unless they rig the system.

“Today’s failure to pass federal legislation  in the U.S. Senate adds fuel to our cause. It is a day to remember the important work we have ahead. As we approach this critical 2022 midterm election — our first Texas election under the new restrictive voting law SB 1 — we must continue to register, organize and educate voters on their rights and what is at stake in this election.

“While we hope for and work toward these federal projections, we’re not waiting for them. Tonight, while Senators were debating, the Texas Democratic Party trained 150 activists across the state on how to support voters in navigating this new law. We won’t stop fighting for every single vote and doing everything in our power to help Texans have their voices heard.

“Texas Democrats fought incredibly hard to get federal voting rights legislation as far as we did today. Last summer, Texas Democrats’ 37-day legislative walkout brought the struggle for voting rights to the forefront of the national consciousness, and put Texas voters’ plight in the national spotlight. And in the face of yet another Republican obstacle, we will not back down. Texas Democrats will continue to champion voting rights, and we will not stop fighting until every American can freely and fully exercise this most basic constitutional right.

“Texans will not be silenced, and the will of the people shall overcome.”

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