Washington, D.C. -  As the Senate Rules Committee opens a field hearing today in Atlanta, Georgia on the need to pass federal voting rights legislation, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“Senate Rules Committee Chair Amy Klobuchar is sending a strong message by holding today’s voting rights hearing in Georgia, which has become a hotbed of voter suppression. This is the first time this committee has taken one of its hearings on the road in decades, which underscores the historic nature of the fight to pass the For the People Act to protect voting rights. Georgia was one of the first states to pass an egregious voter suppression bill this year – including draconian limits on providing food and water to voters waiting in long lines. We need federal action to stop abusive state efforts to limit voting rights that have exploded in the wake of Donald Trump’s Big Lie about the 2020 election, or they will only get worse. We applaud Sen. Klobuchar, Senator Warnock and others taking part in today’s hearing for shining a spotlight on our country’s voting rights emergency.”

 About People For the American Way    

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.