Letter: Green Groups Support Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act

Note: this letter was sent to the full U.S. Senate Thursday evening.

Re: Joint Letter of Climate/Environmental Groups on Voting Rights Legislation

Dear Senator,

Our organizations representing millions of members across the country, believe that a robust, inclusive democracy is absolutely vital to our environment.

In the year since the January 6th attack, the assault on the people’s right to govern themselves has only escalated. While Republicans in the state legislatures have been passing dozens of bills by simple majority to undermine our democracy, Republicans in the United States Senate have been blocking this body’s majority from taking action to protect it. That blockade must end now. The Senate must act by any means necessary.

We strongly urge you to support H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and all procedural measures necessary to its immediate passage. This historic legislation includes the Freedom to Vote Act, which would protect free and fair elections by safeguarding and expanding voter access, banning partisan gerrymandering, modernizing voter registration, improving our broken campaign finance system, protecting election integrity, and promoting security of election systems. It also includes the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would defend against inequitable voting practices by restoring and modernizing the full protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Threats to democracy and to the environment are intertwined. Most Americans support bold action to combat the climate crisis as well as investments in clean air and water, green jobs, affordable clean energy, and a livable future for all. But voter suppression, election subversion, partisan gerrymandering, and polluter money thwart the will of the people. They silence the communities most impacted by pollution and extreme weather, including people of color, indigenous people, young people, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.

As threats to democracy grow, so do threats to our environment. Unless you act now, the damage to both will echo through the ages.

We urge you in the strongest possible terms to support H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and all procedural measures necessary to its immediate passage.

Sincerely,

Clean Water Action

Climate Hawks Vote

Corazón Latino

Friends of the Earth Action

Greenpeace USA

Interfaith Power & Light

League of Conservation Voters

National Wildlife Federation Action Fund

NRDC Action Fund

Sierra Club

The Wilderness Society

Union of Concerned Scientists