[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 183 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7037-S7038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Freedom to Vote Act

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, last night, I began the process for the 
Senate to hold a vote on the Freedom to Vote Act, a commonsense 
proposal that would make it easier for every eligible American to 
participate in free and fair elections.
  The bill, which my colleagues, including yourself, very diligently 
have worked on for months to put together will set basic standards to 
improve ballot access across the country, end partisan gerrymandering, 
and fight the influence of dark money and special interests in our 
politics. It will go a long way toward restoring people's faith in our 
democracy while respecting the role of States in administering 
elections.
  Every Senate Democrat has united around this legislation, and I thank 
all of my colleagues, including you, Mr. President, who worked so hard 
on this bill. I especially want to thank my friend Senator Manchin, who 
has spent weeks reaching out to our Republican colleagues in an effort 
to find common ground. I applaud him for his commitment to trying to 
get something done on this issue in a bipartisan way if we can.
  The clock is ticking for this Chamber to take meaningful action to 
protect Americans' right to the franchise. So, tomorrow, the Senate 
will vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the Freedom to Vote 
Act.
  Every Senator will have to answer a straightforward question: Should 
the Senate be allowed to simply begin a debate on voting rights, as has 
been done many times throughout our history? That is what tomorrow's 
vote is about: Do the Members of this Chamber think protecting our 
democracy is worthy of even a debate in the Senate?
  Senate Democrats think it absolutely is. If our Republican colleagues 
don't like our ideas for fighting voter suppression and guarding 
against election subversion, then they ought to tell us what they have 
in mind. If they are so confident of their position, then let's debate 
the issue on the Senate floor. What is there to be afraid of by 
allowing simply a debate?
  Democrats are ready to work with Republicans in good faith if they 
vote to begin a debate on voting rights. We know disagreements run 
deep. We don't hide from that. But if our Republican colleagues have 
good ideas, we will work with them. We will listen to them, and if 
these ideas are truly aligned with the goals of this bill to protect 
our democracy, we will work to include them in the final text.

[[Page S7038]]

  What Republicans should not do--what they must not do--is squelch any 
chance for the Senate to debate something as critical and sacrosanct as 
the right to vote, nor should they pretend like the Federal Government 
has no role to play in protecting our democracy. On the contrary, 
throughout history, the Federal Government has sometimes been the only 
remedy when States try to suppress the vote. And no honest observer can 
look at the way the States have changed election laws this last year 
and pretend that there is nothing malicious afoot.
  As Senator Manchin said earlier this year regarding congressional 
action on voting rights, inaction is not an option. Let me repeat that 
because this is one place where Senator Manchin and I agree. As Senator 
Manchin said earlier this year regarding congressional action on voting 
rights, ``Inaction is not an option.'' Inaction is not an option. I 
agree. All 49 other Democrats agree with Senator Manchin. Inaction is 
not an option.
  The Senate can rise to the task if given the chance, but its Members 
must vote to begin debate first.