Hiding Behind the Constitution
 By Bob Edgar
Posted on Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 01:29:31 PM EST
Cross-posted on Talking Justice.
The U.S. Senate was designed by the Founding Fathers to ensure thorough deliberation of the important issues facing the country. The Senate is known for its lengthy debates on the issues of the day.
So, it was puzzling and disturbing several days ago when the Senate took up an important voting rights legislation, the DC House Voting Rights Act, and with virtually no debate, cut off consideration of the bill. The bill would give the citizens of the District Columbia voting representation in the U.S. House of Representative. As Senator Orrin Hatch said, "My gosh, when has the Senate been afraid to debate a constitutional issue as important as this one?"
Why has the Senate failed to pass, or even consider, legislation specifically designed to address an injustice while avoiding partisan division?
Why the VRA Renewal Moved So Quickly
By James Benton
Posted on Thu Jul 27, 2006 at 05:06:53 PM EST
As you may already know, President Bush today signed into law the bill that keeps the expiring portions of the Voting Rights Act on the books for another 25 years.
But what's been more surprising has been the speed with which the bill moved through the Senate last week. That story illustrates how Congress can do amazing things in an election year.
President Bush signs Voting Rights Act extension
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Thu Jul 27, 2006 at 11:21:31 AM EST
After all these months of pushing, then the last minute worries that certain obstructionists on the Hill would block it, we've finally reached our goal. Today President Bush, surrounded by a large group of civil rights and congressional leaders, signed the Voting Rights Act extension, protecting its provisions for another 25 years.
Thanks to President Bush for seeing this legislation through, and thanks to all the Common Cause activists out there who answered our calls to write, phone, email, and shout at your legislators to make this happen.
Protect the VRA
By WarrenNegri
Posted on Thu Jul 13, 2006 at 04:53:01 PM EST
Update: The House passed HR 9 by a vote of 390-33.The House is scheduled to vote today on HR 9, legislation renewing and strengthening the landmark Voting Rights Act Rep.
Voting Rights Act of 1965 played a major role in protecting the voting rights of African-Americans, Latinos and people who are not fully proficient in English. Many credit the act as the most effective civil rights bill enacted in American history.
Call your representative NOW at (202) 224-3121. Tell your representative: I urge you to fully support H.R. 9 and oppose any harmful amendments.
How to put your foot in your mouth in Texas
By Kirstin Ellison
Posted on Fri Jul 07, 2006 at 04:28:51 PM EST
Being from Texas myself, I know firsthand some of the downright silly things that can come out of peoples' mouths down there. However, this editorial from the University of Texas-Austin newspaper highlighting some choice quotes from Representative John Carter (R-TX) regarding his opposition to renewing the Voting Rights Act left even me with my jaw on the floor.
The particulars of Carter's objection to the bill were overshadowed by his verbiage, especially when he said, "I simply believe you should be able to read, write and speak English to be a voter in the United States."
Oops! The VRA was passed in part to stop racists from administering literacy tests at the polls designed to block minority voter access. It also mandated that jurisdictions that contain enough people with limited English skills print their ballots in other languages.
Why would Carter endorse a literacy test in the light of such an embarrassing historical record? You see, he also said, "I don't think we have racial bias in Texas anymore."
As much as we'd all love for Representative Pollyanna to be correct in his proclamation of a color-blind Lone Star State, the facts say otherwise. According to a report by the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Texas has had the second highest number of objections filed under the VRA since 1982, behind only Mississippi.
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Victory (?) for Voting Rights Act
By Ed Davis
Posted on Wed Jun 28, 2006 at 10:43:56 PM EST
Update: The vote against the Stearns amendment was 167-254. Unfortunately, 164 Republicans voted for the amendment -- that's a 'majority of the majority' and that complicates the effort to push the Republican leadership to move ahead with the Voting Rights Act.
Tonight the US House voted down an amendment that would have forced the Justice Dept. to stop enforcing the language minority provisions of the Voting Rights Act (Section 203).
This was a test vote for the small band of Rep's. who are trying to stop HR 9, the bill that would renew and strengthen the Voting Rights Act - it appears the opponents failed. (Note: I have not seen the vote tally yet, so not sure if enough Republicans voted against it -- check back.)
We need to keep up pressure on the House to put that legislation on the floor and bring it to a vote. Call 202-224-3121, ask for your Rep. and tell them to urge the House leadership to allow a vote on HR 9.
Voting Rights Act Update
By Matt Caruso
Posted on Tue Jun 20, 2006 at 04:47:11 PM EST
The U.S. Senate judiciary committee is meeting tomorrow (21 June) for another hearing on VRA renewal at 2 PM eastern. The provisions set to expire are: Section 5, requiring Department of Justice approval for changes in voting procedures in regions with a history of discrimination; Sections 6 - 9, allowing the U.S. Attorney to act if there is evidence of minority voter intimidation; and Section 203, requiring bilingual ballots in districts with high levels of non-English speakers.
There have also been recent editorials of note arguing for VRA renewal (click to read more).
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.
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