Costa Votes to End Discrimination at the Polls

Statement

Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, a critical bill that fully restores the full strength of the Voting Rights Act:

"It's been 50 years since the Voting Rights Act became law and many Americans are still facing discrimination at the polls," said Costa. "We cannot sit idly by and watch this continue to happen. I'm proud to be a cosponsor of this bill which restores critical protections to ensure all Americans can exercise their right to vote."

The Voting Rights Act was signed into law more than 50 years ago. It was gutted in the 2013 Supreme Court Decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which unleashed a flood of voter suppression laws across the country, particularly in communities of color.

Key provisions of H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act:

- Restores full protections of the original Voting Rights Act of 1965 and provides tools to address discriminatory practices.

- Establishes a targeted process for reviewing voting changes in jurisdictions nationwide and focuses on measures historically used to discriminate against voters.

- Increases Transparency by requiring reasonable public notice for voting changes.

- Allows the Attorney General authority to request the presence of federal observers in communities where this is serious threat of racial discrimination in voting.

- Increases accessibility and protections for Native American and Alaska Native voters

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