Opposing Voter Suppression

Floor Speech

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this August will mark the 46th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. There are many who say there is no longer a need for the Voting Rights Act. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

It is true that we have made remarkable progress since 1965, including outlawing segregationist principles such as literacy tests, poll taxes and the grandfather clause. However, there is still much work to be done.

As we continue to observe during elections, minorities often face the uphill battle of misinformation distributed in black communities over how and when to vote, and purging of voter rolls and Election Day lines.

The Voting Rights Act was not and never will be about special rights. It is about equal rights and ensuring that all Americans have the right to vote for their candidates of choice. The reality is that some people out there still want to suppress minority voting.

Recently, Texas passed legislation requiring picture identification in order to participate in the voting process. This systematic use of required voter identification cards will disproportionately impact voters that are elderly, minority, or disabled. Requiring individuals to produce picture identification will turn back the clock on voter rights and do little to prevent voter fraud.

Texas remains under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act due to a long history of discrimination of minority voters. I have strong concerns regarding the ability of minority, elderly and disabled voters to obtain a state identification card from the Texas Department of Public Safety. There is only one Department of Public Safety office in Dallas, and no offices in central Houston. For potential voters in Southwest Texas some would have to travel up to 200 miles to obtain a state identification card. While I am already working to ensure individuals have the transportation to obtain IDs, I believe many poor and minority voters simply will not have the means to obtain this required card. Putting undue burdens on a certain population of voters is not in line with requirements of the Voting Rights Act.

Our values, our freedom, and our democracy are based on the idea that every eligible American citizen has the right to vote. We cannot and must not give up until every American citizen has the access and opportunity to vote--regardless of their skin color, ethnicity, or language ability.

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