[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 105 (Thursday, July 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       OPPOSING VOTER SUPPRESSION

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2011

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this August will 
mark the 46th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. There are many who 
say there is no longer a need for the Voting Rights Act. Unfortunately, 
this is not the case.
  It is true that we have made remarkable progress since 1965, 
including outlawing segregationist principles such as literacy tests, 
poll taxes and the grandfather clause. However, there is still much 
work to be done.
  As we continue to observe during elections, minorities often face the 
uphill battle of misinformation distributed in black communities over 
how and when to vote, and purging of voter rolls and Election Day 
lines.
  The Voting Rights Act was not and never will be about special rights. 
It is about equal rights and ensuring that all Americans have the right 
to vote for their candidates of choice. The reality is that some people 
out there still want to suppress minority voting.
  Recently, Texas passed legislation requiring picture identification 
in order to participate in the voting process. This systematic use of 
required voter identification cards will disproportionately impact 
voters that are elderly, minority, or disabled. Requiring individuals 
to produce picture identification will turn back the clock on voter 
rights and do little to prevent voter fraud.
  Texas remains under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act due to a long 
history of discrimination of minority voters. I have strong concerns 
regarding the ability of minority, elderly and disabled voters to 
obtain a state identification card from the Texas Department of Public 
Safety. There is only one Department of Public Safety office in Dallas, 
and no offices in central Houston. For potential voters in Southwest 
Texas some would have to travel up to 200 miles to obtain a state 
identification card. While I am already working to ensure individuals 
have the transportation to obtain IDs, I believe many poor and minority 
voters simply will not have the means to obtain this required card. 
Putting undue burdens on a certain population of voters is not in line 
with requirements of the Voting Rights Act.
  Our values, our freedom, and our democracy are based on the idea that 
every eligible American citizen has the right to vote. We cannot and 
must not give up until every American citizen has the access and 
opportunity to vote--regardless of their skin color, ethnicity, or 
language ability.

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