WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus Executive Vice President of Campaigns and Advocacy Tanya Clay House issued the following statement in response to the reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. 

“The reintroduction of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA) is a positive step forward in the restoration and expansion of our Democracy. The JLVRAA reaffirms our commitment to voter equality and voter access to the ballot box. The JLVRAA seeks to ensure that jurisdictions with a recent history of voting rights violations are required to obtain preclearance for changes to voting practices and procedures. JLVRAA would most importantly restore section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and make sure states like Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and others are kept in line from enacting the worst voter suppression laws since Jim Crow.  

Today on National Voter Registration Day we celebrate the power of voting and recognize that the voice is fundamental to protecting our democracy and pursuing all of our issues. Since our founding Hip Hop Caucus has championed voting rights. Launched in 2008, our Respect My Vote! campaign is the longest-running hip hop voter engagement and mobilization campaign.

We congratulate and thank Congresswoman Sewell for her steadfast commitment to fighting for democracy and for continuing to champion the fight that John Lewis stood for across the bridge in Selma and throughout his life.”

About Hip Hop Caucus
Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that
leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

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