Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement on Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. devoted his life to advancing equality and justice. In March of 1968, just days before he was killed, he said the following, ‘We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.’ Through all of his activism and his tireless dedication to fighting both legal and systemic racism, he forever changed America. The Civil Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act. A paradigm shift in public consciousness on racial equality. None of this would have been possible without Dr. King’s sacrifices for a more just society.
“So today and every day, we celebrate his legacy, but we must also recognize that he was a man committed to action. This moment must be a time of action. In 2021, we’ve seen an avalanche of voter suppression legislation all across the Nation in state after state. These bills are aimed at denying Black Americans, young people, people with disabilities and so many other Americans their right to vote. Make no mistake about it, this will make it harder for all Americans to have a voice in their government. Our entire democracy is at stake.
“At this moment, I’m working in the Senate to restore the Voting Rights Act and enact basic protections for voting rights at the federal level through the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. We have work to do, but we know what we’re up against and we know that we must act now. That’s why I also believe we must amend the Senate rules so that no partisan minority can deprive millions of Americans of their fundamental right to vote. So as we honor Dr. King on this solemn day, I am determined to pass comprehensive voting rights legislation and to advance the cause of justice.”
