On the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, several Democratic lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to protecting voting rights and combating voter suppression. The Act originally ensured protections for all Americans against discriminatory voting practices. Four years ago, the House of Representatives passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, named after the late Congressman John Lewis, to restore voting power and address issues such as discriminatory gerrymandering. However, the legislation was blocked by Senate Republicans and has yet to become law. Lawmakers emphasized the ongoing need to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to safeguard democracy and prevent efforts that threaten voter access, including recent challenges to the 1965 Act. New York Democrats also called on state leaders to strengthen voting laws amid nationwide attempts to undermine voting rights.