Congresswoman Johnson & Texas NAACP President Bledsoe Statement On Texas Senate Bill 7

Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) and President of the Texas NAACP Gary Bledsoe released the following statement in response to the Texas Senate's passage of S.B. 7, a bill that would restrict access to the polls and make it harder for those in minority communities to vote:

"The right to vote is an American principle -- one that should be protected, promoted, and practiced at all costs. This egregious legislation drafted by Texas Republicans in the Legislature, which comes on the heels of an election that yielded record-breaking turnout in Texas, stands in direct opposition to the very ideals of our democracy," said Congresswoman Johnson. "The right to vote for Black Americans was hard-earned and made possible only by the strength and perseverance of our communities in the face of injustice. And now, in the face of yet another challenge to our basic democratic right, we stand on the shoulders of those before us and demand free, fair, and equitable access to the polls."

"I am truly shocked that some state officials have proposed such sweeping legislation that has the direct and intended consequence of greatly narrowing the pool of eligible voters by law, legalized fear and intimidation, while at the same time targeting for destruction the organized efforts to help people vote. And the bills do so in the most oppressive ways," added President Gary Bledsoe. "The laws are so severe we have to note that it is far worse than anything we have seen in the last decade and a bill that would make the 1923 Texas Legislature that prohibited Blacks from voting in the Democratic Primary proud."

The mission of the National Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to "secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons." Founded more than a century ago in 1915, the first Texas State Chapter was established in El Paso with four members. Since then, the Texas State Chapter has grown to more than 7,000 members and 31 branches. For more information on the Texas State NAACP, visit

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