When three Black Congressional leaders were handcuffed and arrested recently while protesting voter suppression, they were doing more than drawing attention to legislation to protect and expand voting rights. Senate Republicans have blocked legislation to protect voting rights and expand voter access. “The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is our No. She also said she joined to protest to object to inaction on the legislation to protect voting rights and expand voter access. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act prohibited the states from using various arbitrary tests and challenges to exclude Black people from voting.