Terri Sewell Advocates for Voting Rights Act Renewal
On the anniversary of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965, US Representative Terri Sewell from Alabama urged Congress to advance the Voting Rights Act once again. During a celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the Act’s signing by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Sewell appeared in a video calling on Congress and Alabamians to support the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Promotion Act.
“I never imagined that, 60 years later, I would be in Congress advocating for this vital law to restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965,” Sewell remarked. She emphasized how progress can be hard to hold onto, stating, “Each generation must cling to the strides we’ve made and continue the battle to push forward.”
Sewell has introduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Promotion Act annually since 2013, vowing to keep fighting for its passage as long as she remains in office. The House of Representatives passed the bill in 2021 and 2022, but Sewell noted that it has been stalled in the Senate.
In March of this year, coinciding with the anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the Montgomery march, Sewell submitted the bill that aims to modernize and clarify jurisdictional requirements for local voting, drawing on the historical context of the Voting Rights Act.
The proposal includes provisions for preclearance, requiring jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination to obtain federal approval before making any voting law changes. This requirement, outlined in Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, was effectively nullified by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 2013 ruling.
The modernized legislation also sets national standards for voting policies, such as identifying requirements like voter ID laws. Sewell’s office expressed frustration, stating, “While the Voting Rights Act was signed into law 60 years ago, it feels almost lifeless now due to actions by the Supreme Court and conservative judges.”
“It’s time for Congress to fully reinstate those protective measures with the John R. Lewis Voting Promotion Act,” the office continued, highlighting the necessity to counteract voter suppression and ensure access to the ballot for all eligible Americans.
Sewell is encouraging public support alongside congressional efforts, saying, “Public sentiment is crucial, and I really believe we need to acknowledge the importance of voter protection.”
Reminiscing about the late civil rights leader John Lewis, Sewell urged individuals to embrace his legacy of “good trouble” in the fight for social justice.
Sewell recalled, “I remember John Lewis on the Edmund Pettus Bridge—he was frail and suffering, yet he spoke with such conviction. His message to us was clear: Never give up. Keep your faith and stay focused on the prize.”
She referred to voting as “the most vital non-violent instrument in our democracy,” underscoring the ongoing struggle for voting rights.
As Sewell wrapped up her remarks, she stressed the urgent need to confront the ongoing threats to voting rights, asserting that the commitment to equitable representation must be reignited, particularly reflecting on the principles advocated for by John R. Lewis.
