MADISON — Today, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes blasted Senator Ron Johnson for blocking the Freedom to Vote Act, a compromise voting rights measure that would expose dark money political spending, set minimum standards for voting access, and push back against partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression.
Earlier this week, Johnson said that he hopes and prays for gridlock in Washington. Now, Johnson has answered his own prayers, using the politics of obstruction to force gridlock on voting rights legislation.
End Citizens United // Let America Vote, which has endorsed Barnes in the race, joined Barnes in condemning Ron Johnson.
“It’s disappointing but not surprising that Ron Johnson blocked voting rights legislation that would expose his dark money donors and ensure every eligible Wisconsinite can make their voice heard in our elections. This is just another example of Johnson’s efforts to obstruct progress on critical issues from voting rights, to infrastructure investment, to early childhood education. Johnson doesn’t want to hear the voices of Wisconsinites, because he knows he has lost their trust,” said Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes. “Senator Johnson has failed Wisconsin on the issues that matter most. We can’t sit by as extremists like Johnson undermine our democracy and block vital investments in our communities. In the U.S. Senate, I’ll work to end the obstructionism so that we can deliver for every Wisconsin community.”
“Senator Johnson has once again shown that he is in Washington to fight for the dark money special interests and his billionaire friends who helped him buy his way into office. By voting against the Freedom to Vote Act to protect his dark money allies and create more dysfunction in the Senate, he has turned his back on the people of Wisconsin,” said End Citizens United // Let America Vote President Tiffany Muller. “Lt. Governor Barnes understands the importance of protecting the freedom to vote and making sure the people of Wisconsin can make their voices and votes heard on the issues that matter most to them. The people of Wisconsin will remember this when they cast their ballots next year.”
