Washington, D.C. – Following President Biden’s first press conference, in which he called state legislatures’ efforts to suppress the vote “sick” and “pernicious” and called for passage of the For the People Act to protect voting rights, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“President Biden is right: what’s happening in the states that are trying to suppress voting rights is sick and pernicious. There’s no other way to describe a law that makes it a crime to give food and water to people waiting in long lines to vote. This is why we have to pass the For the People Act to protect voting rights. We were especially encouraged to hear the president suggest that he would support filibuster reform to the extent needed to make sure important legislation like this can pass. In the words of the Senate Majority Leader, when it comes to protecting voting rights, failure is not an option.”

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.

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