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Congressman Cleaver Expresses Disappointment Over Republican Halting of Voting Rights Act Renewal

Date: June 22, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights


CONGRESSMAN CLEAVER EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT OVER REPUBLICAN HALTING OF VOTING RIGHTS ACT RENEWAL

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) expressed his disappointment that the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 (H.R. 9) was suddenly pulled from the House Floor by the Republican Leadership.

"It appears that Members of the Republican Conference are unwilling to do the right thing and renew this critically important piece of legislation," said Congressman Cleaver. The Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 reauthorizes key provisions of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) that are currently set to expire in 2007 for 25 additional years.

Several Republicans, many from Southern states, contend that the renewal unfairly singles out nine states for federal oversight, without according them credit for making strides against discriminatory voting practices in their pasts. However, findings of Congressional hearings have made clear that federal oversight is still needed in nine states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Since the VRA was last renewed, the Department of Justice has filed more than 1,000 objections to discriminatory changes in state and local voting laws that could have harmed minority voters. A number of House Republicans also object to making bilingual ballots available in areas where language assistance is needed.

"As an original co-sponsor of this legislation, and a Member of Congress who is committed to preserving one of the fundamental cornerstones of our democracy, the right to vote, I will join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who support this legislation to continue fighting to preserve that right for all Americans," said Congressman Cleaver.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/mo05_cleaver/HaltingofVRARenewal.html

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