With only weeks before federal government funding was set to expire at the end of September, MAGA Republicans threatened to shut down the government unless Congress passed an extreme anti-voting bill that could disenfranchise millions of American citizens.
Fortunately, Democrats rejected this approach, and Congress averted a shutdown.
However, Republicans remain committed to pushing their voter restriction bill, despite the fact that it’s based on misinformation from election deniers, solves no real problems, and would block eligible people from voting. Voters of color, military voters, tribal voters, rural voters, and survivors of natural disasters are among the groups most at risk.
While most Americans agree every eligible voter should have equal access to the ballot, Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are pushing to create barriers to voting to silence the voices of millions of Americans, especially Black voters and other voters of color, so they can pass their extreme Project 2025 agenda.
They understand that voting is the freedom we use to protect all other freedoms. When elections give everyone a voice, we can hold our leaders accountable.
Their assault on our democracy—from voting restrictions and gerrymandering to unleashing unlimited Dark Money in politics—has already had a devastating impact.
They’ve eliminated affirmative action, taken away reproductive rights, and protected corporate interests that drive up the costs of housing, prescription drugs, and groceries.
Trump’s Project 2025 would go further, dismantling checks and balances as part of a takeover of the government. It would strip away some of our most essential rights and freedoms and benefit corporations and billionaires at the expense of middle-class and working families.
Social Security and Medicare would see enormous cuts, while billionaires and big corporations win tax cuts—paid for by everyone else. It would repeal the Affordable Care Act, leaving people with preexisting conditions without guaranteed coverage.
While a few billionaires and extremists would benefit, the rest of America would suffer. This is not the agenda most Nevadans—or Americans—want. Stopping it starts with protecting our democracy and our right to vote.
Instead of creating barriers to voting and spreading misinformation, we should ensure that every eligible voter can participate in safe, accessible elections. Congress can do that by passing the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
These bills work together to safeguard voting rights, support election officials, end gerrymandering, and ban dark money. They are top priorities for the Congressional Black Caucus and Defend The Vote Action Fund.
By setting national standards to protect the right to vote, these bills increase opportunities to register to vote – including online or on Election Day – and allow people to choose what method of voting workers best for them, including early voting, voting by mail, and drop boxes.
They also end extreme gerrymandering so voters can pick their representatives instead of the other way around. The legislation protects voters against intimidation, shields election workers from harassment, and provides support and resources for local election officials to modernize our elections systems to keep them secure and accurate.
Passing the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Act will combat extremism, counter misinformation, and help guard against political violence.
The bills are designed to ensure that our elections continue to allow us to settle our differences peacefully and all of us truly do have an equal say in the decisions that govern our lives.
By defending the freedom to vote and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, we can prevent a Project 2025 agenda.
We will instead make sure our nation lives up to its unmet promise of an inclusive democracy—one that represents all of us and leads to greater opportunity and prosperity in our communities and across the country.
Representative Steven Horsford represents Nevada’s Fourth Congressional District and is Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Brian LemekBrian Lemek is Executive Director of Defend The Vote and Defend The Vote Action Fund.
