Smith: Texas Has Every Right to Implement Policies that Protect Elections

Press Release

On Thursday, the Justice Department brought two actions against the state of Texas in federal court. The Department sued Texas in order to block the state's new voter ID law, and it intervened in a redistricting lawsuit claiming that the state's new maps discriminate against minorities. Earlier this month, Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Department would take action against Texas despite the Supreme Court decision that found provisions of the Voting Rights Act to unconstitutionally discriminate against the state.

Congressman Smith issued the below statement in response to the Justice Department's actions.

Congressman Smith: "The Justice Department is supposed to be free from partisan influence and focused on fairly enforcing federal law. But under this Administration, the Justice Department has become more partisan than ever. This lawsuit is an attempt by the President to reassert political power over the Lone Star State.

"Voter fraud undermines the credibility of elections and threatens our democracy. Texas has a right to pass and implement laws that protect the integrity of its elections.

"The Texas elections laws that the Administration is attacking are fair and reasonable. It is not discriminatory to require individuals to show a valid ID in order to vote--it is good government. Other states have similar laws that have been upheld by the Supreme Court. Why should Texas be any different?"

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