[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 60 (Tuesday, April 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    VOTER SUPPRESSION IS UN-AMERICAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 2016

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today on this Restoration 
Tuesday, I rise to shed light on the continued voter suppression around 
the country during this election year and the ongoing battle to protect 
every American's constitutional right to vote.
   Alabama--Arizona--Texas--Wisconsin--the list goes on. We continue to 
hear tale after tale of modern day barriers to the voting polls this 
election year. After the Supreme Court struck down Section 4 pre-
clearance requirements in 2013, several states took that ruling as a 
license to trample on the Constitution and violate the voting rights of 
vulnerable communities across the nation. These continued attacks on 
the rights of eligible voters in this country are unconscionable and 
unconstitutional. Congress needs to act now to stop this plague of 
voter suppression and fight for justice.
   Today, as you know, the state of New York is holding its primary 
elections. Unsurprisingly, complaints have already been made by 
eligible voters who registered a minor party or with no party, and who 
will not be able to participate in the primary elections. New state 
rules allow only registered Democrats to vote in Tuesday's Democratic 
primary and only registered Republicans to vote in the GOP contest. 
This new law will leave out 3.2 million New Yorkers who are registered 
to vote.
   Likewise, my home state of Alabama implemented new strict voter ID 
laws and then closed over 30 DMV offices; the most popular location to 
obtain a driver's license. Arizona implemented a similar voter 
suppression strategy by reducing their voting sites from 200 in 2012 to 
60 in 2016, citing a so-called need for budget savings.
   In all, 17 states across the country have implemented new 
restrictive laws aimed at blocking the American people from the ballot 
box. New laws with strict photo identification requirements, early 
voting cutbacks, new requirements of proof of citizenship, and 
practices creating grueling waiting lines are all burdensome barriers 
which would have likely been blocked through the Voting Rights Act 
process of pre-clearance. And not surprisingly, these new restrictions 
have disproportionately affected minority populations such as African 
Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans as well as university students.
   The fear of voter fraud is an excuse. The need for budget cutbacks 
is an excuse. The American people are fed up with the excuses. 
Fundamental to our democracy is the right to vote, and creating 
barriers to block the vote is truly un-American. It holds little value 
to give someone a car and then take away the keys. Our right to vote is 
the vehicle to democracy but we need the keys to easily access the 
polls. The suppression needs to stop, the oppression needs to stop, and 
the excuses need to stop. Congress needs to stand up and do something 
about it now.
   On this Restoration Tuesday, I give us all the charge to battle 
against the continued suppression of the American vote and stand strong 
by our principles of democracy, liberty, and justice for all.

                          ____________________