[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 17, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PEOPLE LIE--NUMBERS DON'T

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 17, 2016

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today on this Restoration 
Tuesday, I rise to bring attention to the continued voter suppression 
affecting Americans around the country during this election year and 
the ongoing battle to protect the constitutional right to vote.
   It has been said that new restrictive voting laws were made to 
prevent voter fraud, but there is little evidence showing a significant 
problem. It has been said that having certain photo IDs are a simple 
request for those seeking to vote, while thousands of Americans such as 
the elderly, college students and city-dwellers who use public 
transportation and others lack such newly required IDs. Much is done in 
the name of noble reasons, but often the truth lies not in words but in 
deeds and results. The truth is this--Americans want to vote, but these 
new suppressive state voting laws are making it especially difficult.
   Here are some numbers: Seventeen states have introduced new voting 
procedures to be in place for the November election, more than half of 
which are being challenged in court. In all, over 30 states across the 
country have implemented new restrictive laws aimed at blocking the 
American people from the ballot box. After the Supreme Court decision 
in the Shelby case, the state of Alabama closed over 30 DMVs, the most 
common location to receive a photo ID. Strict voting ID laws in Texas 
could leave up to 600,000 voters without the proper ID. Also in 2008, 
Arizona had 400 voting polls. They went down to 200 voting polls in 
2012 and now in 2016 they are down to 60.
   Across the nation, voting polls have been shut down and voters have 
been shut out. New photo ID laws have been passed and eligible voters 
have been passed up. With so many new state laws that have made it 
harder for voters to get to the polls, we must take a hard look around 
and ask the question--why don't we want people to vote? Why make voting 
for eligible voters harder and not easier? Are these new laws really 
about preventing voter fraud? The leaders in Congress need to have 
answers to these questions. Suppression of the right to vote is 
especially un-democratic and ultimately un-American.
   In the midst of this devastating blow to our democratic process, 
here are some numbers that we can be proud of: Virginia Governor Terry 
McAuliffe recently restored voting rights to about 200,000 individuals 
with a past felony conviction. On March 10th of this year, Maryland 
also restored the right to vote for an estimated 40,000 individuals 
with past felony convictions. It is encouraging to see examples of 
leaders who believe in our democracy and believe in the Constitutional 
right to have one's voice heard through their right to vote.
   I don't have to remind anyone that this is an election year. But 
when I look around and see the ongoing suppression of the right to 
vote, I feel obligated to remind us all of what is at stake in this 
election. Every voice matters, every vote matters. Unfortunately, if 
eligible voters continue to be hindered by these new suppressive state 
laws; every voice will not be heard. Every potential vote will not be 
counted.
   Voting rights need to be protected and eligible voters need 
proponents of the Constitution and the democratic process to fight for 
them--to fight for their rights. The suppression needs to stop, the 
oppression needs to stop, and the excuses need to stop. There is too 
much at stake this election year and 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.
   Mr. Speaker, my Republican colleagues should join the 168 members of 
Congress and support H.R. 2867--the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 
2015. Let's restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is the right 
thing to do.

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