Providing for Consideration of H.R. John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of Providing for Consideration of Senate Amendment to H.R. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and Providing for Adoption of S. Con. Res. Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCANLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in enthusiastic support of this rule and the underlying legislation.

H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, is essential to ensuring that every American voter has equal access to the ballot box, and the freedom to make his or her voice heard.

Ever since the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby v. Holder opened the door, we have seen State legislatures pass hundreds of laws to restrict voter access while claiming, falsely, to protect our elections from voter fraud that doesn't even exist.

Now, the unjustified attacks on the 2020 election results by the former President and his supporters have produced a wave of anti- democratic bills. But it doesn't have to be this way. In Shelby, the Supreme Court invited Congress to amend the Voting Rights Act to address its concerns.

For 8 years, our Republican colleagues refused the Court's invitation to reinvigorate the Voting Rights Act, while extremist politicians worked overtime to close polling locations, limit voting hours, purge voter rolls, and erect barriers to the ballot box.

We can't continue down this path if we want America to remain a functional democracy. Congress needs to do its job. I urge all of my colleagues and all Americans to support this bill.

I would also like to speak briefly about the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better Act, which today's vote will move forward. Together, they are the key to helping Americans and American businesses succeed in the 21st century.

Our country is facing multiple, interconnected crises: the COVID pandemic, a deeply unequal economy, long-neglected infrastructure needs, underfunded public services that often fail to serve those most in need, and climate disasters that are impacting our communities more often.

The Build Back Better agenda is simple: make major investments in physical infrastructure and working families to create a fairer, more productive, and sustainable economy.

We need the bipartisan infrastructure deal to enable America to compete in the 21st century, but we also need the Build Back Better Act to create jobs and lower costs and taxes for working families. These bills have the power to improve the lives of millions of Americans.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the rule.

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