Biden calls on Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act

In his State of the Union address Thursday evening, President Biden lambasted the rise in legislation making it harder to vote. 

“A transformational moment in our history happened 59 years ago today in Selma, Alabama,” Biden said. “Hundreds of foot soldiers for justice marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, named after a grand dragon of the KKK, to claim their fundamental right to vote. They were beaten bloodied and left for dead.”

That day, March 7, 1965, became known as Bloody Sunday. 

Biden went on to speak of the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a Freedom Rider and founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, who led the protesters over the bridge that day. He was beaten on national television. 

“Our late friend and former colleague John Lewis was at the march,” Biden said. “We miss him.”

His comments were met with applause, including a standing ovation from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) — the first time the Speaker stood during the president’s speech. 

Biden drew attention to one of the marchers — Bettie May Fikes, who became known as the “Voice of Selma” — who was in the audience for Biden’s address. She, and the other nonviolent protesters in 1965, helped “shake the nation’s conscience” to see the Voting Rights Act passed later that year. 

“But 59 years later, there are forces taking us back in time. Voter suppression. Election subversion. Unlimited dark money. Extreme gerrymandering,” Biden said. 

Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023, at least 14 states enacted 17 restrictive voting laws, though at least 356 restrictive bills were considered by lawmakers in 47 states, according to an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice. 

Many of these laws disproportionately affect Black voters, a majority of whom lean Democratic. 

Organizations including the Congressional Black Caucus have repeatedly called for the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act, a bill that would require all 50 states to offer early voting periods for at least two weeks before Election Day, including on nights and weekends, for at least 10 hours per day.

The caucus has also been a staunch supporter of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would expand the government’s ability to respond to voter discrimination.

“John Lewis was a great friend to many of us here,” Biden said Thursday. “But if you truly want to honor him and all the heroes who marched with him, then it’s time for more than just talk. Pass and send me the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and stop denying another core value of America!”

Biden’s comments follow a push from Black leaders around the nation this week urging the president to address Bloody Sunday’s legacy. 

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), chair of the caucus, could be seen giving Biden a standing ovation as he spoke.