Representative Adriano Espaillat Statement on Republican Voter Suppression and Protecting the Sacred Right to Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) released the following statement on House and Senate Democrats’ efforts to protect the sacred right to vote in light of Republican voter suppression efforts across the country:

Watch video of Rep. Espaillat’s remarks on the United States House Floor.

“Republicans across the country have continued to push lies and conspiracy theories to depress voter turnout and sow mistrust in our elections at the highest levels. And because of it, we are witnessing a wave of voter suppression efforts billow across our nation – a crisis of monstrous proportions that is buckling the foundation of our democratic process,” said Rep. Espaillat. “We cannot allow arcane Senate rules to stand in the way of this Congress upholding its most basic constitutional responsibilities – at one of the most critical junctures in the history of this country. It is time for us to choose: the filibuster, or our democracy, and it is incumbent on us to restore the voting rights protections that our nation’s civil rights leaders bled to secure. It is our solemn duty as civil servants, as Representatives of the People – and as Americans. Republican obstruction has repeatedly proven that current Senate rules must be changed to ensure the institution delivers on the will of the American people. There is too much at stake and this Congress can – and will – fight against these draconian measures to restore and expand the sacred right to vote – it is time to act now.”