The Workers Circle Responds to Obstruction of Critical Voting Rights Bill

August 11, 2021

Contact: Lynsey Billet, lynsey@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-8449 

(NEW YORK) - Today, Republican senators voted to block debate on the For the People Act (S1). Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle, issued the following statement in response:

“This morning, Senate Republicans shamefully blocked debate on the For the People Act, a crucial piece of legislation that would ensure every American’s freedom to vote, end dark money, and stop racial, partisan gerrymandering. This bill would enact common sense national standards to protect our right to vote and our democracy.

Without passage of the For the People Act, millions of voters stand to lose their freedom to vote due to hundreds of state bills—thirty of which have already passed into law—that erect deliberate barriers for voters of color, newer voters, physically challenged voters, among others.

The freedom to vote for every American is not a partisan issue; it is a Constitutional commitment. And it is an urgent one. We cannot and will not let obstructionism be the final word.

For more than 120 years, the Workers Circle has taken collective action to demand change when hard-fought freedoms are on the line. Today we do so again. Workers Circle members will continue to phone-bank, protest, and visit with senators to underscore that the Senate must not let the filibuster stand in the way of passing the For the People Act when they return from recess. This is a turning point in our nation’s history where all senators must choose to either protect the filibuster or protect our democracy.”