WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight over federal elections and campaign finance law, issued the following statement on the news that Democrats in the Texas legislature have left the state to deny a quorum ahead of expected votes on laws that would make it more difficult for Texans to vote:

“There is no doubt that the freedom to vote is under attack. Inaction is not an option. The great lengths that Texas Democrats are taking to stop voter suppression legislation from advancing in their state underscores the importance of passing reforms to set basic national standards to make sure all Americans can cast their ballots in the way that works best for them, regardless of what state or zip code they live in. The fight has just begun — it’s time to get critical voting, ethics, and campaign finance reforms passed in the Senate.”

In June, Klobuchar announced that the Rules Committee will hold a series of hearings on the urgent need to pass critical voting, campaign finance, and ethics reforms. The first hearing will take place next Monday, July 19, in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the Rules Committee’s first field hearing in 20 years.

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