Hoyer Statement on House Democrats' Introduction of the Voting Rights Advancement Act

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after Reps. Terri Sewell, John Lewis, Linda Sanchez, and Judy Chu introduced H.R. 2867, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015:

“There is no more important act in our democracy than casting one’s vote and having one’s voice heard equally in our government, which is why I’m pleased that Reps. Terri Sewell, John Lewis, Linda Sanchez, and Judy Chu introduced legislation today to restore the voting rights protections struck down by the Supreme Court two years ago this week.  I am proud that I will be joining as a cosponsor of this bill. 

“By invalidating a key section of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Court severely weakened the Justice Department’s ability to protect minority voters against discriminatory voting measures that raise barriers to ballot access and undermine the legitimacy of our elections. This legislation will create a new preclearance mechanism to ensure that jurisdictions trying to alter their voting rules or practices – or changing district boundaries – are not making it harder for minority voices to be heard.  It will increase transparency across our voting system and expand access for Native American and Alaskan Native voters living on tribal lands. 

“Fifty years after Selma and the Voting Rights Act, our nation must ensure that the victories of the Civil Rights Movement do not unravel.  I will continue to work with my Democratic colleagues to make certain that every eligible voter in America can cast a ballot and have it counted accurately.”