Leading Up to Shelby Decision Anniversary, Civil Rights and Tri-Caucus Leaders Stand United Behind Voting Rights Bill
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, June 18, Tri-Caucus members and civil rights leaders hosted a Hill press conference in the House Judiciary Committee Room to reaffirm their strong, united support for the Voting Rights Amendment Act (VRAA).
The press conference kicked off the most important week in voting rights with the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder and the first Senate hearing on the VRAA on June 25, and the upcoming 50th anniversaries of Freedom Summer and the Civil Rights Act. At the press conference, prominent figures in voting rights stood together to discuss why this is the critical time for action and called on the House to advance the VRAA now to protect voters before they go to the polls in November.
Click here to watch the press conference video archive.
Below are key quotes from today’s speakers:
Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus
“This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. During the civil rights movement, people of all races came together to do what was right for this nation. They knew we were better together. It doesn’t matter what race or ethnicity you are, what education you’ve attained , or money you’ve have, voting is the great equalizer in our democracy and it must be protected. The Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014 is a solution that addresses the problems we still face with discrimination in voting. We call on Chairman Goodlatte to have a hearing and bring this bill to the floor for serious discussion and debate.”
Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
"More than ever, we must ensure that Latinos are able to exercise their constitutional right. Our community is rapidly growing and the Latino vote has never been more important. In the aftermath of the Shelby decision, there are now seven million Latinos living in jurisdictions previously subjected to the preclearance requirement who are without vital voting rights protections. We must stand up and defend the right to vote for people of color."
Congresswoman Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)
“The American electorate is increasingly composed of communities of color. As our populations continue to grow, it is critical that these voters are able to fully participate in the political process.”
Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
“Voting is the language of American democracy: if you don't vote, you don't count. This principle has been echoed time and again by resounding bipartisan majorities in Congress and by presidents from both parties. The issue of voting rights has historically been, and will forever be, bipartisan. The House Judiciary Committee cannot shrink from this historic obligation.”
Lorraine Miller, interim President and CEO of the NAACP
“This is a critical time for action. As we approach the anniversary of Shelby County v. Holder, we must act with renewed urgency in advancing the Voting Rights Amendment Act through the congressional process. The looming risk of voter disenfranchisement threatens our democracy. Failure to advance this legislation gives a free pass to voting discrimination!”
Mee Moua, president and CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC
“Every day that Congress fails to act, voters are vulnerable. Days away from the first anniversary of the Shelby decision, we stand with our partners, with the Caucus leadership t, with the bipartisan co-sponsors of the VRAA, and in the name of our communities—we say the time for urgent action is now!”
Brent Wilkes, executive director of LULAC
"There is no denying the impact that the VRAA would have on those most vulnerable if passed. This hearing is a good first step toward addressing the many issues that confront minority voters. LULAC and our other civil rights partners have been working tirelessly to make sure that community voices are heard and we are looking forward to working with the Senate to ensure that we have strong VRAA language.”
Elisabeth MacNamara, president of the League of Women Voters
“Sadly, discrimination at the ballot box is real. In just five short months, voters will once again head to the polls in the 2014 elections. And voters will do so without the full protections of the Voting Rights Act afforded to them for more than 40 years. There is no need to put voters’ rights in jeopardy in this election or any other. This isn’t complicated; the VRAA is the remedy that will help ensure equal access to the vote for all eligible voters this fall and for the future generations of Americans to come.”