Cohen Statement on Supreme Court Ruling Regarding Constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act

Press Release

Following the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling that effectively eviscerates civil rights protections afforded to minority populations under the Voting Rights Act, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) joined members of the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss the ruling's impact.

"This is a bad day for America. After Citizens United, this ruling is the second effort by the Supreme Court to destroy democracy as we know it in this county," said Congressman Cohen. "In each of the last two elections, my home of Shelby County, Tennessee, has been accused of attempting to thwart the majority population--which is African American--from expressing their right to vote. With countless recent efforts across the country to institute voter ID laws that are intended simply to suppress votes, this is exactly the wrong decision for the Court, and it comes at exactly the wrong time."

The Supreme Court's ruling this morning in Shelby County v. Holder struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, invalidating the coverage formula that determines which jurisdictions with histories of racial discrimination in their voting process are required to seek "preclearance" from an independent authority before modifying their district and precinct maps.

In striking down Section 4, the Court is putting the civil rights of millions of Americans at risk by making enforcement of the Voting Rights Act nearly impossible. The Court did, however, leave the door open for Congress to revisit Section 4 and update the coverage formula to allow for proper enforcement. Congressman Cohen, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, will work to ensure that the protections of the Voting Rights Act are restored as soon as possible.

Source