“Once again, Senate Republicans have weaponized the filibuster against broadly popular legislation, this time a bill that would ensure all Americans have their right to vote protected.  The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, named for my dear friend and a tireless champion for civil rights, would restore the full protections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act for which he marched, organized, and nearly lost his life in Selma.  Since the Supreme Court struck part of that law down in 2013, we have witnessed an alarming increase in discriminatory laws and other restrictive practices imposed by Republican-led states and local jurisdictions, all designed to subvert the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and prevent eligible voters from accessing the ballot box.  Legislation like H.R. 4 or the Senate’s Freedom to Vote Act are necessary to defend ballot access for all Americans.     “This move by Senate Republicans is further evidence not only that they remain committed to voter suppression for partisan purposes but also that the filibuster, an instrument of gridlock, must be eliminated for the sake of our democracy.  In spite of Republican obstruction, Democrats in Congress remain committed to the fight for voting rights and will continue to deliver, For the People, legislation that protects our democracy and defends the rights guaranteed under our Constitution.”