Cummings Commemorates 51st Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

Statement

Today, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD) issued the following statement commemorating the 51st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965:

"Fifty-one years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson affirmed the right to vote as the foundation of American democracy by signing the Voting Rights Act. As we have seen in the years since the Supreme Court's ruling in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, we must remain vigilant and fight to protect the right to vote from states that seek to silence entire communities.

"Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit struck down North Carolina's voter restriction laws, writing that "the new provisions target African Americans with almost surgical precision.' While I am hopeful that the courts will continue to uphold our most fundamental right as citizens by striking down state voter restriction legislation, we cannot rely solely upon the courts to solve this problem. Congress must act.

"Today, months before our nation elects our next President, I am calling upon Speaker Paul Ryan to put country before politics and immediately act on legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act to ensure that all Americans have a voice in our democracy.

"Congress must vote so that every American can vote."

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