NEA President: Educators “will not allow Congress to set aside its responsibility to defend our democracy”

WASHINGTON - National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the following statement reacting to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans continuing to block voting rights legislation: 

“America’s educators know that standing up for every student means standing up against every effort to dismantle the voting rights that generations of Americans have fought so hard to secure – the voting rights that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his life advocating for. 

“Sadly, over the last year, we have seen certain politicians attacking our freedom to vote –erecting deliberate barriers to make it harder for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and young Americans to make their voices heard at the ballot box. 

“As educators, we teach all students – no matter their race or ZIP code – that voting is a responsibility of citizenship and a sacred right that we must protect for all Americans. We know that our public schools are more than places of learning – they are the foundation of our democracy. And we see how our students are not only witnesses to the relentless attacks on voting rights nationwide – oftentimes they are targeted by restrictive voting rights bills in states across the nation. 

“That is why we are outraged that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans blocked the Senate from voting on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. And sadly, two Senate Democrats continue to stand with all 50 Senate Republicans in allowing Senate procedures to prevent Congress from passing this legislation designed to protect all Americans’ right to participate in our democracy. 

"We will not allow Congress to set aside its responsibility to defend our democracy. Every eligible voter in this nation must have the ability to cast their ballots safely and freely. And they must be able to do that without partisan politicians sabotaging the results of our elections. 

“I commit to you today, that the National Education Association’s 3 million members will continue to stand against voter suppression tactics that deliberately are designed to silence our voices and to diminish the power of the American people. 

“Remembering the importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1964, we know that federal legislation is the most effective way to truly protect the voting rights of all Americans. Until Congress acts, it is imperative that every American who believes in democracy work to help every voter participate in it, including helping to register voters, educating communities impacted by any new voting laws, and fighting to ensure that all Americans can cast their ballots safely, securely, and easily, knowing that their votes will be counted by nonpartisan election officials.

“We will work every single day - grounded in Dr. King's teachings that every step towards the goal of justice will require sacrifice and struggle – to strengthen our democracy and create the just society our students, our families, and our communities deserve.” 

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.