Common Cause Blog :: VRA Renewal Vote Next Week?

VRA Renewal Vote Next Week?

By Matt Caruso
Posted on Fri Jun 16, 2006 at 10:22:47 AM EST

U.S. House Majority leader John A. Boehner (R-OH) is pushing for a vote on renewing the temporary provisions of the Voting Rights Act next week. Even though this is encouraging news, members of the U.S. Senate who oppose renewal are stalling by asking for more hearings. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) continues to tie up the VRA to the immigration debate saying:

"We just passed a resolution expressing that English should be our preferred language of use for federal documents and government work, and we need to look at the costs of these foreign-language provisions that will proliferate if the immigration trends continue."

If the Senate continues to stall then there will unfortunately be no vote before the summer recess. Read the Washington Times article here.

Tags: voting rights act, vra, Sen. Cornyn, civil rights (all tags)

VRA Renewal Vote Next Week? :: 5 Comments

Voting Rights Act - National Call-In Day

Reached Speaker Hastert's office as well as John Boehner's office and my Rep, Tim Holden. Good response from Hastert staffer, fair response from Boehner's staffer and dull response from Holden staffer.

I did get a reaction when I stated that if VRA fails then the Congress is voting for disenfranchisement of many Americans.. That seems to drive the sleep out of the staffers.

For humankind to survive we must insist that no child is an enemy.

by Waddell on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 10:35:01 AM EST

Thanks for calling!

by Kirstin Ellison on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 12:26:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Calls to Support VRA and HR9

I was able to contact Hon. Congressman Lloyd Doggett's office staff today. My call was well received and his worker felt he would be in favor of HR 9 passing without ammendment. When I contacted Hon. Representative Hastert's office, the worker listened to my request and stated he would pass the message on. It was, however, a cooler response from Hon. Representative Jack Boehner's staff. I was immediately switched to a voice mail recording box in which I left my comments. By far, I feel that Hon. Congressman Doggett was the most enthusiastic of the three toward citizen's opinions and the representation of those. Thank you!

by Leeonly on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 05:29:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

VOTING RIGHTS ACT

I spoke with Chris Crowe in Rep Johnson's office. Rep Johnson supports renewal without amendment.
I support it with the amendment that all materials [ballots/voter registration cards/etceteras] should be in English only. Not in French nor German nor Spanish nor Swahili or any other language. I asked that Rep Johnson be made aware that she has a constituent with that view.
I spoke with Johanna in House Speaker Hastert's office and with Erin in House Majority Leader Jack Boehner's office where I left the same message.
I also left the same message with Jeffrey Holiday in Senator Cornyn's office; and, with Rachel in Senator Hutchison's office.
Legal immigrants and their families, supporters and supporting organizations should absorb the expense for them to learn to read and write in English. American taxpayers should not absorb any financial responsibility for their inabiliy to read and write in the English language.
America needs to do whatever necessary to diminish the national deficit, not add to it!

by Bettye Anderson on Mon Jun 19, 2006 at 04:12:05 PM EST

Section 203

While you are in your rights to want all ballots to be written in English and encourage immigrants to learn English, many citizens who were born in this country do not speak English as a first language. This is true for many citizens who were born in Puerto Rico and have moved to a state where they can vote in federal elections. Native Americans, including those living in Alaska should also be able to request a ballot in their native language. Finally, according to testimony given by Judiciary chairman Sensenbrenner, three quarters of voters using ballots in a language other than English are native born.

by Mike C on Wed Jun 21, 2006 at 09:55:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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VRA Renewal Vote Next Week?

By Matt CarusoPosted on Fri Jun 16, 2006 at 10:22:47 AM EST

By Matt Caruso
Posted on Fri Jun 16, 2006 at 10:22:47 AM EST