MSNBC Deadline:NAACP President Urges Senators to Protect Voting Rights
NAACP President Derrick Johnson met virtually with a group of Senate Democrats who the organization believes have not done enough to fight and protect voting rights. “We cannot allow 2021 to end without voting rights protections. It would be unconscionable…Our crippling democracy is not waiting around for the Senate to act,” Johnson said.
The Hill:NAACP head to push senators, White House for action on voting rights
NAACP President Derrick Johnson says he plans to step up pressure on senators and the White House to take action on voting rights legislation, which would likely warrant changes to the legislative filibuster due to opposition from Republicans. “My message is simply that we’ve got to act to step up to protect democracy. Particular rules should not prevent the adoption of public policy to ensure the voting rights protections for Americans,” Johnson said ahead of his meeting with senators.
Washington Post:Biden raises the stakes for quick voting rights action
Senate Democrats were emboldened by the relatively painless deal that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) struck to raise the debt limit, which NAACP President Derrick Johnson also invoked on Wednesday after meeting with a handful of senators, as our colleague Mike DeBonis reported. If Senate rules can be bent to keep the country from defaulting on its debt, why can’t they be rejiggered to pass a couple of voting rights bills, too?
CNN:Biden Calls Voting Rights ‘The Single Biggest Issue’
NAACP President, Derrick Johnson, discusses the fight for voting rights with Don Lemon as the organization continues to push Biden and Democratic senators to protect the rights of voters across the country.
MSNBC:NAACP President Meets with Democratic Senators on Voting Rights
NAACP President Derrick Johnson discusses the Civil Rights Scorecard that identifies senators with incomplete scores who need to make necessary commitments to ensure voting rights protection is a priority before the end of the year. “There is no more urgent issue before the Senate at this time than voting rights protections. We urge the Senate to ensure that our democracy is protected and to allow voters to fully engage in this democracy,” Johnson said.
MSNBC:NAACP President to Meet with Senators to Discuss Voting Rights Legislation
“The Senate has failed to make voting rights a priority, and that needs to change. We cannot allow 2021 to end without voting rights protections. It would be unconscionable… Our crippling democracy is not waiting around for the Senate to act.” – NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson.
AP News:In SC, Biden pledges fight for voting rights, police reform
Biden’s vow to keep pushing to protect what he called “the sacred right to vote” as the NAACP and similar groups have grown frustrated with the White House over the lack of progress on the issue.
NBC News:Democrats’ hopes dim that Build Back Better will pass before New Year
There has been increasing pressure on the Senate to act on a voting bill. The NAACP is meeting Wednesday with senators virtually. Democrats are looking at the political fallout that could come when they have to face voters next year without having delivered voting legislation — something that they cited as a priority and which they have warned voters could be the death of democracy if not done.
USA Today:Biden accuses GOP of ‘unrelenting assault’ on voting. Can he deliver on voting rights legislation?
Already facing pressure to deliver on voting rights, President Joe Biden is now hearing growing calls for action by year-end from civil rights activists and others, even as no clear path for passage in the Senate exists. The sharpened push comes after Biden said Wednesday “there’s nothing domestically more important,” with Senate Democrats renewing their efforts for election reform.
CBS News:Progress on Biden’s domestic policy plan sputters as holiday recess nears
Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP, huddled with a group of Democratic senators Wednesday to discuss the path forward on voting rights, the organization said.
Washington Post:Senate Democrats renew focus on voting rights as domestic policy bill stalls and filibuster changes are considered
Acting before New Year’s Day is “crucial” given that state legislatures are scheduled to begin returning to session in January — potentially expanding obstacles to voter access and drawing partisan congressional maps that would be outlawed under Democratic legislation, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said after meeting with a handful of senators Wednesday.
NBC News:Black leaders to push Biden White House for more voting rights muscle
“The frustration that many African Americans, including myself, are feeling right now is there has not been enough of a priority placed on ensuring that the rights of voters are protected,” said Derrick Johnson, the president of the NAACP, who plans to attend the session with top White House officials. “It has not been a priority for this administration.”
The Grio:King family calls for MLK Day of demonstrations to pressure Biden, Democrats on voting rights
As hundreds of bills are being proposed by Republican legislators across the country ahead of next year’s 2022 midterm elections, civil rights leaders have been tightening their grip on the White House and Hill lawmakers, particularly around 13 U.S. senators who had not yet indicated their full support of eliminating or amending the filibuster in order to pass legislation to protect voting rights for Black and minority voters, according to a Senate report card conducted by the NAACP.
U.S. News:U.S. Postal Service, NAACP Reach Settlement on Election Mail
NAACP President Derrick Johnson said, “No one, including the USPS, should ever stand in the way of our constitutional rights. With the NAACP’s ability to now monitor the performance of the USPS during national elections, we will ensure that the right to vote is protected for of all citizens, including those often suppressed.”
Reuters:U.S. Postal Service, NAACP reach settlement on election
USPS general counsel Thomas Marshall said USPS “agreed to continue to prioritize monitoring and timely delivery of Election Mail for future elections. This will include outreach and coordination with election officials and election stakeholders, including the NAACP.”
Local12:NAACP donates coats to every child at a local elementary school
The Cincinnati NAACP donated coats to students at South Avondale Elementary school Wednesday morning. There were a lot of eager elementary school students as the Cincinnati NAACP delivered the Christmas surprise to the school, making sure every coat was a perfect fit. It’s in partnership with the Cincinnati Office of Human Relations. This has long been a cause that’s important to the Cincinnati NAACP.
Record-Courier: ‘No longer homeless.’ Portage NAACP sets up headquarters in Kent church
The Portage NAACP has its first headquarters in the civil rights group’s history, setting up in a former classroom at the Kent United Church of Christ. Dr. Geraldine Hayes-Nelson, president of the Portage NAACP, said the space gives the group a “physical presence” in Portage County for the first time in the group’s history.
NAACP:Hey Black America
NAACP Content Director, Janelle Rucker talks about NAACPs voting rights efforts and our scorecards for the United States Senate. She also discusses some of our civil rights and social justice wins in 2021.
STATEMENTS:
- NAACP, Public Citizen and LDF Claims Victory in Lawsuit Against U.S. Postal Service to Ensure Timely Delivery of Mailed Ballots
- NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, Releases Statement on Passing of Pioneering Black Feminist bell hooks
- NAACP and Brookings announce new partnership that will measure the strength and vitality of Black Americans and Black-majority cities