Congressman Rob Menendez Receives “A” on Defend The Vote Scorecard

WASHINGTON, DC – Defend The Vote Fund scores Congressman Rob Menendez with top grade for standing up for our democracy and the right to vote at this critical time as the MAGA extremists threaten basic rights and freedoms.

In recognition of the 59th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Defend The Vote Action Fund, one of the nation’s leading pro-democracy organizations, today released its 2024 Legislative Scorecard for the 118th Congress.

The Scorecard tracks the support of Members of Congress for bills that ensure democracy works for everyone as well as whether they oppose destructive legislation that attacks the core rights and freedoms of American citizens.

“Fifty-nine years after the Voting Rights Act was signed into law, our nation is once again at an inflection point. The attacks on our freedoms and democracy continue to intensify,” DTV Action Fund Executive Director Brian Lemek said. “We need Members of Congress who will side with the Constitution and the rule of law, fight to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to vote in safe, accessible elections, and work to give people a voice in the system, not just wealthy and corporate interests. Our scorecard found that Congressman Rob Menendez is committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of New Jerseyans and all Americans, and he has earned the top grade possible.”

“America, as a nation, cannot live up to its promise without accounting for and being responsive to every voice,” said Congressman Rob Menendez. “I am dedicated to protecting the freedoms that define our nation and will always fight for strong voting rights for all Americans. As our democracy faces existential threats, I’m grateful to be recognized by Defend The Vote Action Fund and for their leadership. We will continue to partner together to protect the right to vote and ensure free and fair elections.”

Click here to see Congressman Menendez’s grade and the full list of bills scored.

Defend The Vote Action Fund advocates for legislation to defend and strengthen our democracy and to hold members accountable to their commitment to voting rights.

On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. It was one of the most successful civil rights laws in our nation’s history, blocking thousands of discriminatory voting laws before they could take effect. In 2013, the extreme conservative majority of the Supreme Court began gutting the law, starting with the Shelby v Holder decision. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act and Freedom to Vote Act together would restore the VRA’s power, while setting national standards to protect ballot access, end gerrymandering, and protect poll workers and voters from harassment as well as ban Dark Money.