Statement by Workers Circle on the House Passage of the For the People Act

March 4, 2021

Contact: Karin Venegas, karin@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7049
Lynsey Billet, lynsey@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-8449

(New York) --  Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle, issued the following statement on the passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act, by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 3, 2021:

“The House of Representatives has taken a momentous step toward making the United States a truly inclusive, multi-racial democracy by passing H.R. 1, the For the People Act. This legislation will enact urgent reforms in voting rights, campaign finance, and ethics, and will address the widespread suppressive voting practices that have concentrated power in the hands of wealthy, white, corporate interests at the expense of the American people, and have served as an intentional barrier to voters of color.

The For the People Act will end suppressive voting policies, including Voter ID requisites, voter purges, and arcane registration requirements that have, by design, impeded millions of Black and brown Americans from voting, while simultaneously ensuring election integrity and security. Importantly, the Act further declares that Congress finds that the Supreme Court’s Shelby County decision in 2013 ushered in a new era of voter suppression, and that Congress should restore and update the protections of the Voting Rights Act that were dismantled by the Supreme Court.

We commend Leader Pelosi, House Administration Chairperson Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Democracy Reform Task Force Chair Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) for their leadership and all lawmakers who voted for this critical piece of legislation which is urgently needed.

Since the 2020 election, 43 states have already introduced, prefiled, or carried more than 250 bills to restrict or limit voting access this year, intentionally aiming to create significant obstacles to voting for thousands of citizens, particularly Black and brown voters, who voted in record numbers this past election cycle. Just this week the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments concerning article 2 of the Voting Rights Act that will determine whether the last vestiges of government oversight to protect Americans’ right to vote will stand.

The Workers Circle community of activists across the nation will now turn our attention to the Senate and work assiduously for the passage of S.1 and we encourage all Americans to reach out to your Senators an urge the passage of the For the People Act, because democracy can’t wait.”

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