For Immediate Release: January 19, 2022
Contact: Colleen Ross, [email protected], 202-601-7877
Catholic Lobby Urges All Senators to Protect Our Democracy
Mary J. Novak: “Our Senators must ensure the power of the vote is with the people and we can cast our ballots freely, safely, and equally.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the Senate holds long-awaited debate on H.R.5746 the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, a transformative bill that sets national standards to increase access to the ballot box, neutralizes partisan and racial gerrymandering, protects our elections from interference, and increases transparency in campaign finance to prevent dark money from buying politicians, NETWORK Lobby calls on all Senators to vote ‘YES’ on this bill.
There is no substitute for passing this bill. NETWORK and partners across faiths have called for the passage of legislation that protects our democracy and the sacred right to vote for months. As Senators face the question of voting to change Senate rules to pass this critically needed legislation or keeping them intact, NETWORK fully endorses this legislation and any actions required to pass it by a simple majority vote.
Sister Quincy Howard, Government Relations Advocate, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:
“Each Senator should realize that their legacy—and our legacy as a nation—is on the line with their decision. They will come out on one of two sides: with the people or in support of anti-voter laws. Every Senator that fails to support this legislation will contribute to the irreversible fall of our democracy.”
Mary J. Novak, Executive Director, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:
“The possibility to create a more just society ultimately rests upon the health of our democracy and the freedom of all voters to cast their ballots and have them counted. Our Senators must ensure the power of the vote is with the people and we can cast our ballots freely, safely, and equally.”
Joan F. Neal, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Equity Officer at NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice said:
“Guaranteeing our democracy for all citizens is a difficult and perennial struggle. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. understood the challenge of democracy, that democracy means self-government by all citizens, not just a chosen few. Today the fate of our democracy is in the hands of the Senate. We call on all Senators to do the right thing for the sake of our democracy.”
NETWORK joins the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the National Black Sisters Conference in their urgent call for Senators to do everything in their power to strengthen our democracy and protect every person’s sacred right to vote.
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NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic Sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a 50-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org