Today, on John Lewis Day of National Commemoration and Action, we honor the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis, a Civil Rights champion whose courage and spirit shaped the course of American history.

John Lewis dedicated his life to fighting for justice, equality, and voting rights – from being a part of the original 13 Freedom Riders, to marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, to serving for more than three decades in Congress.

He famously reminded us that getting into “good trouble, necessary trouble” is sometimes the only way to bring about civil change, and now, years later, his words ring louder than ever. Because the struggles John Lewis fought are still with us today: voter suppression laws are being passed across the country, civil rights are under attack, and extremism threatens our democracy.

We can’t allow his legacy to fade. This is why I introduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act: to restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), address modern-day voter suppression and ensure every voter, regardless of race or background, has equal access to the ballot box.

It is cosponsored by every House Democrat and supported by more than 140 organizations across the nation, yet none of my Republican colleagues have decided to join us.

Today, we remember John Lewis not just in words, but in action – by speaking up, organizing, voting, and fighting for the future he believed in.

Let’s honor his memory by getting into good trouble.

In solidarity,

Rep. Terri Sewell