Warnock Lays Out Bold Vision to Address Voting Rights and Expand Democracy

In a marquee moderated conversation at the Center for American Progress IDEAS Conference, SenatorReverend Warnock outlined an aggressive vision to expand democracy amidst the recent attack on voting rights

The Senator called on his own party to prioritize the issue next time they are in the majority

Senator Warnock called for Supreme Court reform, ending the filibuster for the Voting Rights Act, statehood for D.C., and a democratic path for other territories to become states

Full video of Senator Warnock's remarks can be found HERE.

Senator Reverend Warnock: "Democracy is the house we live in, and MAGA politicians, some of them on the Supreme Court, are burning and looting the House, and so we have to take it seriously."

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) laid out a bold vision to expand democracy at the Center for American Progress Ideas Conference in a moderated conversation with Symone Sanders-Townsend. Following the Supreme Court decision to gut the Voting Rights Act, Senator Warnock argued that voting rights legislation must be the number one priority for Democrats when they regain the majority in the U.S. Senate. He also argued that passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act should only be the first step in a series of much broader reforms needed to strengthen our democracy.

"I think the answer to fighting those who are trying to fight the democracy is more democracy," said Senator Warnock. "We need Supreme Court reform…everything should be on the table," he added.

Senator Warnock called for D.C. statehood as well as a democratic path for other territories to become states saying, "we ought to provide a path for other territories of the United States, a democratic path for them to decide whether or not they want statehood."

Senator Warnock also called on Democrats to prioritize voting rights next time they control Congress, noting that the filibuster should not stand in the way of legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act: "Let me be very clear. No arcane Senate procedure should block people's right to have their voices heard… and when we're back in power, we've got to pass voting rights. No more handwringing. No more delay. You can't fight for the people and then have the people send you into power and not fight to give the people the power for their voices to be heard in their democracy," said Senator Warnock.

Senator Warnock is a champion for voting rights, introducing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in July 2025, which would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act of 1965. Named in honor of the late Georgia Congressman John Lewis, the bill would strengthen protections against discriminatory voting practices. He is also a co-sponsor of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act to grant statehood to the residents of Washington, D.C.

###

Title and affiliation are provided for identification purposes only. A pastor and social justice advocate, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock was elected to the United States Senate in 2021 and reelected for a full term in 2022. The Senator serves on the Senate Agriculture, Banking, and Finance committees, as well as the Senate Aging Committee.