Congress Pushes for 'National Voting Rights Month,' Urging Passage of Key Election Access Bills

This resolution is Congress’s way of putting a spotlight on the importance of voting rights, declaring strong support for designating September 2025 as "National Voting Rights Month." It’s not a law that changes anything immediately, but it’s a powerful statement that sets the stage for future action. Essentially, Congress is saying, “We see the problems, and we need to fix them,” by formally recognizing the long history of voting suppression—from literacy tests to modern challenges like aggressive voter roll purges and the financial hurdles that can act like a modern-day poll tax.

The Shelby County Aftermath and the Call for Federal Action

The resolution spends a good amount of time detailing how the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder created a vacuum. That ruling removed the federal oversight that used to require states with a history of discrimination to get approval before changing their voting laws. Since then, the text argues, we’ve seen a rise in gerrymandering and restrictive state laws—like cutting back on early voting or requiring strict photo IDs—that make it harder for millions of people, particularly minority, elderly, and disabled voters, to cast a ballot. This resolution is the House of Representatives formally urging Congress to step in and use its constitutional power to protect fair elections.

Pushing the Policy Agenda: What Congress Wants to Pass

Beyond just setting aside a month for recognition, the resolution strongly urges Congress to pass two specific pieces of legislation that would have massive real-world impact. First, they want the Freedom to Vote Act passed, which would set national standards to make voter registration and access easier across the board. Second, and perhaps most significant for everyday people, they urge the passage of the Democracy Restoration Act of 2023. This act is designed to restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated citizens immediately upon their release. For the millions of Americans who have served their time and are trying to rebuild their lives, this would be huge—instantly restoring their ability to participate in the civic life of their communities.

Teaching the Next Generation and Getting the Word Out

Another key provision focuses on civic education. The resolution recommends that public schools and universities create academic programs to teach students not just how to vote (registration, polling places, etc.), but also the history of voter suppression in the U.S. and the current measures that might be restricting the right to vote today. This is an investment in future voters, ensuring the next generation understands the importance and mechanics of the ballot box. Finally, the resolution invites Congress to set aside money for public service announcements (PSAs) across all media—TV, radio, social media, and even buses—to remind people of election dates and registration deadlines. If you’re busy juggling work and life, these PSAs could be the simple, helpful nudge you need to make sure your vote is counted.