AFT President Randi Weingarten on the Passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act

WASHINGTON—Statement of American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on the passage of H.R. 1, a bill to restore voting rights, limit the power of campaign finance and strengthen ethics laws:

“More than 50 years ago, the Voting Rights Act was passed to try to ensure that people have the right to vote and that every vote counts. Unfortunately, we have seen a huge erosion of that sacrosanct principle, with increased gerrymandering and voter suppression. But because voters came out to the polls in historic numbers last November and elected a new Congress, we are now one step closer to ensuring a voice at democracy’s table with the passage of H.R. 1.

“This bill is one huge step toward restoring the power in our democracy to the people—not money or special interest groups—and toward guaranteeing that a teacher in Montgomery, Ala., has the same voice in our political system as a CEO on Wall Street. We hope the U.S. Senate follows suit and passes similar legislation.”