FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19, 2022

Contact: William Lutz | lutz@iwpr.org | (202) 684-7534

Washington, D.C. —Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) CEO and President C. Nicole Mason today lamented the failure of voting rights legislation in the Senate and the fact that trivial concerns about procedure factored into the bill’s undoing.

“The right to vote is one of the most fundamental—and hard fought—rights Americans enjoy. Full and fair access to the ballot box is crucial for our democracy and vital to efforts to address racial and gender inequities in our society. It is also crucial for the continued advancement of women,” said Mason.

“We are at a pivotal moment for women in America. As we emerge from the pandemic, women need strong investments in workers, families, and communities. We need child care and other support programs that open the door for women to rejoin the workforce and pursue careers, programs that help to strengthen families and improve their financial security. The right to vote is critical to ensuring we have leaders that will help us meet this moment when it comes to the continued advancement of women in society.”

“It is sad to see this crucial bill undone by arguments about the filibuster and Senate tradition. I had hoped Senators would look past all the petty procedural arguments and lies about election integrity and come together to pass this important bill,” Mason continued. “Full and fair access to the ballot box should not be an issue subject to partisan bickering or procedural squabbles. This week’s vote was about whether we are a ‘one person-one vote’ nation and that basic question should be a no-brainer for any elected leader in this day and age.”

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The Institute for Women’s Policy Research strives to win economic equity for all women and eliminate barriers to their full participation in society. As a leading national think tank, IWPR builds evidence to shape policies that grow women’s power and influence, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic well-being of families. Learn more at IWPR.org and follow us on Twitter.