Durbin Votes to Reauthorize Voting Rights Act in Judiciary Committee
DURBIN VOTES TO REAUTHORIZE VOTING RIGHTS ACT IN JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
[Washington, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today hailed the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Calling VRA a "beacon of our democracy for 40 years," Durbin, who is a member of the Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after the vote:
"We honored the legacy of our civil rights heroes by extending the provisions of the Voting Rights Act that were set to expire in 2007. These provisions cover over 100 million Americans who live in states and counties with a history of discrimination."
"Although we have made progress as a nation over the past few decades, discrimination endures in more subtle forms and some barriers that impede full and equal minority voting rights remain. The VRA should not be allowed to expire until voting discrimination and inequality have expired."
"Voting rights and civil rights exist in America because of the courage of many heroic people and the Voting Rights Act is an enduring reminder of their personal sacrifices. The VRA has ensured the right to vote for all Americans, regardless of the color of their skin or the language they speak. The Voting Rights Act has served as a beacon of our democracy for the past 40 years and remains the most important civil rights law ever passed by Congress."
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted to insure that no federal, state or local government may in any way impede people from registering to vote or voting because of their race or ethnicity. Most provisions in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and specifically the portions that guarantee that no one may be denied the right to vote because of his or her race or color, are permanent. There are, however, several other provisions of the Voting Rights Act that will expire in August 2007 unless reauthorized. The full Senate is expected to take action on the VRA extension shortly; the House already passed a VRA extension.
The full Senate is expected to take action on the VRA extension shortly; the House already passed a VRA extension.
http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=258938&&