Rep. McBride Marks Anniversary of Congressman John Lewis' Passing with Call to Defend Voting Rights and Democracy

WASHINGTON, DC — This week, U.S. Representative Sarah McBride (D-Del.) took to the House floor to commemorate the sixth anniversary of Congressman John Lewis' passing, honoring the civil rights icon's legacy. In her remarks, Rep. McBride urged Congress to continue the fight to protect voting rights and strengthen American democracy amid renewed efforts to disenfranchise Americans. 

A video of Rep. McBride's remarks is available here. The full transcript of her speech as delivered is below:

Mr. Speaker, 

I rise today to mark both the anniversary of a profound loss and the reminder it serves at this moment in our nation’s story.

Six years ago, Congressman John Lewis passed away. A titan of the Civil Rights Movement who worked tirelessly to deliver justice, expand equality, and secure the right to vote for every American — including Black Americans. 

Today, however, we are navigating a moment where the work he devoted his life to is increasingly under threat. We have seen executive actions that would make it harder for Americans to vote. We have witnessed renewed attempts to undermine confidence in our elections and intimidate those who administer them. 

Right now, in this very Congress, we are facing a renewed push to establish what amounts to a modern day poll tax on Americans.

Most recently, the Supreme Court has facilitated the dismantling of Black political representation in this chamber and greenlit racial discrimination in voting, so long as the proponents simply say it’s for ‘partisan purposes.’

Congressman Lewis often spoke of his hopefulness for the future, because he was adamant that tomorrow could be better and more just than today. 

It is our job to pick up that mantle and continue that work. 

In 2020, while commemorating the anniversary of Bloody Sunday on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Congressman Lewis reminded us of his important rallying call: to get into what he called “good trouble” to help redeem the soul of America. 

Throughout his miraculous life, he never lost faith in the central ingredient of change — the necessary foundation of democracy, his belief in the capacity for other people to change and, therefore, for our country to change. 

He reminds us that hope is not reserved for moments when progress feels inevitable or easily attainable — we must harness it, most especially, in moments like this one: when the reasons for hopelessness seem greatest, that is when the legacy of ‘good trouble, necessary trouble’ is most essential.

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