FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2013
CONTACT: Ayofemi Kirby
(202) 226-9776
[email protected]
[email protected]
Quad Caucus Chairs, Leader Pelosi, Whip Hoyer Statements on Protecting the Right to Vote for All Americans
WASHINGTON, DC (Link) – The Chairs of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressional Asian America and Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statements in support of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Leader Pelosi joined the Quad Caucus chairs on the steps of the Supreme Court this morning before the Shelby County v. Holder arguments began. Whip Hoyer joined the CBC on February 25 during its special order hour on voting rights.
“I am proud to stand with my colleagues today to send a clear message to the public and to the Court that the right to vote is not a matter of race, entitlement or partisanship. It is a fundamental right guaranteed to every citizen of this country and it must be protected,” said CBC Chair Marcia Fudge (OH-11). “The Congressional Black Caucus will continue to stand with everyone who opposes efforts to undermine the Constitution and disenfranchise this country’s citizens. More than a century ago, this fight for equality and justice under the law began and today it’s clear it is far from over.”
“Voting rights is not about any party; it is not a matter for partisan debate; it is not an issue for just Democrats or Republicans,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12). “Voting rights is about who we are as Americans. It is about the cause of equality, our nation’s heritage and our hope. It is about the strength of our democracy. Today, we have come together on the steps of the Supreme Court with a clear message: the right to vote must be preserved; the right to vote must be protected; the right to vote must remain the cornerstone of our democracy. And that right to vote must be for all Americans.”
“The Voting Rights Act lives on to be one of the most critical and successful pieces of legislation Congress has ever passed. It is instrumental in protecting every American’s right to vote, which is the basis for our democracy. This challenge to Section 5 of the Act fails to recognize the continued necessity of pre-clearance, especially after the trouble so many Americans had trying to cast their ballots last November,” said House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05). “As a sponsor of the Help America Vote Act, I am committed to improving our voting system to make sure every citizen, regardless of race, sex, income-level, or physical ability, is heard and that every vote is counted accurately. Without the protections of the Voting Rights Act, including Section 5, millions of Americans would be at risk of being disenfranchised through nefarious tactics like voter dilution or deceptive practices. I am proud to stand with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and others in defense of the Voting Rights Act, and I am confident that this unfounded court challenge will see it upheld.”
“Section 5 stops voter discrimination before it can begin. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I am proud to stand here with my fellow Tri-Caucus Members to fight for an America that welcomes all voices,” said CAPAC Chair Judy Chu (CA-32). The Supreme Court must protect the right of every citizen to vote, not just for those casting ballots in our day, but for future generations and elections still to come.”
“Last year’s election showed us why the Voting Rights Act is as important as ever,” said CPC Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03). “A lot of people have tried to convince us that civil rights are old news, that we’re past all that, that it’s no big deal and we’ve evolved. Well, we haven’t – certainly not all the way. As I was so proud to say this morning on the steps of the Supreme Court, we need to protect the very basic right to vote for everyone no matter who thinks it’s unnecessary.”
“Today marks an important day for every American and I’m very proud to stand with my colleagues in the CBC, CAPAC and the Progressive Caucus to fight for the right of every voter,” said CHC Chair Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15).“The Voting Rights Act restored justice, equality, and fairness to our country’s most sacred right: the right to vote. We are now witnessing unprecedented attacks on the right to vote and now more than ever, we must also fight to maintain its legacy and integrity. 42.7 percent of the Latino population is eligible to vote, yet many face obstacles to cast their ballot in certain states. In fact, during the last election cycle, voter ID laws, barriers to registration and reduced early voting were all tactics used to suppress minority voters. It is my hope that today’s arguments on the Shelby County v. Holder case will serve to reaffirm our country’s dedication to racial equality. It is essential that every single voter in America is able to enjoy the cherished right to vote.”
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