January 13, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) – Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), sponsor of H.R. 5746, issued the following statement today on the legislation, which was originally titled the NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act before being modified in the House Rules Committee last night to serve as a legislative vehicle for the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act:

“Attacks on Americans’ ability to exercise their right to vote are a major problem that Congress must solve, and I am committed to doing all I can to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Though I did not expect this outcome when I first introduced the NASA Enhanced Use Leasing Extension Act, if my legislation will help overcome the filibuster, the Senate can finally have the long-overdue debate on voting rights this country deserves. I would be honored to make this unexpected contribution to the cause of protecting our democracy.”

Beyer will speak during debate on the House Floor this morning on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, which combines the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Congressman Don Beyer is Chairman of the House Science Committee’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.