Voting Rights

As a candidate in 2020, Biden promised to pursue sweeping legislation to bolster protection of voting rights. Two years ago, his 2021 legislation, named after civil right leader John Lewis, the late Georgia congressman, included provisions to restrict partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts, strike down hurdles to voting and bring transparency to a campaign finance system that allows wealthy donors to bankroll political causes anonymously.

It passed the then-Democratic-controlled House, but it failed to draw the 60 votes needed to advance in a Senate under control by Biden’s party. With Republicans now running of the House, passage of such legislation is highly unlikely…

This year’s #BloodySunday commemoration is the third without civil rights legends and Selma foot soldiers Congressman John Lewis, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Rev. C.T. Vivian, and Bruce Boynton, who all passed away in 2020.

We remember and honor them – today and always. #Selma58 pic.twitter.com/KvlYXSV9vJ

— The Leadership Conference (@civilrightsorg) March 5, 2023

No matter how hard some people try, we can’t just choose to learn what we want to know, and not what we should know.

We should learn everything.

The good.
The bad.
The truth of who we are as a nation.

And everyone should know the truth of Selma. pic.twitter.com/9qH7ehfWmT

— President Biden (@POTUS) March 6, 2023

“Selma is a reckoning….Without the right to vote, nothing is possible….I will not let a filibuster stop us from protecting the right to vote.” ?@POTUS? speaks at #Selma58 Jubilee pic.twitter.com/mV0wtRZdPS

— Janai Nelson (@JNelsonLDF) March 5, 2023

58 years ago, John Lewis and Hosea Williams began a civil rights demonstration from Selma to Montgomery. Moments after crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, demonstrators were beaten and injured.

Today, we honor their sacrifice and continue to fight for justice. pic.twitter.com/KXQGJeelLg

— House Democrats (@HouseDemocrats) March 5, 2023

The scene in Selma pic.twitter.com/G1zIwUWNL1

— Aamer Madhani (@AamerISmad) March 5, 2023

Humbled to join @RepTerriSewell & other colleagues on this moving pilgrimage to Selma to honor the shoulders upon which we stand.

We’re forever grateful for the sacrifices those like John Lewis made in the fight for equality. Despite our progress there is much left to be done. https://t.co/eodiSlJyqU

— James E. Clyburn (@RepJamesClyburn) March 5, 2023

3/ I am grateful to all who joined us. Taking the time to lay eyes on the places and faces of the Movement, and to open your hearts and minds to the truths of our history is indeed a brave and powerful thing to do.

Looking forward to welcoming @POTUS to Selma tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/IHJeE5NRXk

— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) March 4, 2023

Biden also connected the issue of voting rights to other issues impacting Black communities across the country, like access to affordable housing and the economy. He argued that his agenda was creating a thriving and inclusive economy prioritizing Black participation. https://t.co/NWdHabzsWB

— Erica P. Loewe (@EricaLoewe46) March 6, 2023

On the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, we honor the heroes who marched and fought to secure our right to vote. Like voting rights leaders Dessa, Imani, Andrés, and Prairie Rose, we must continue the fight today. pic.twitter.com/9PZYN2Cxsj

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 5, 2023