[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 82 (Tuesday, May 24, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            RESTORE THE VOTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 2016

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address the 
ongoing problem of voter suppression in this country. The Voting Rights 
Act was passed in 1965 and sadly today--over 50 years later, Americans 
continue to be blocked from the ballot box. This ongoing suppression 
absolutely must stop--now. Congress must lead the way in upholding 
democracy and equal rights in this great nation. This is why I'm so 
proud to join my colleagues and serve as co-chair of the first ever 
Congressional Voting Rights Caucus.
   The importance and great need of the Congressional Voting Rights 
Caucus cannot be overstated. The purpose of the Congressional Voting 
Rights Caucus is to educate the public on local voter suppression 
tactics, inform constituents on their rights as voters and to create 
and advance legislations such as the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 
2015 that help prevent current and future discriminatory and 
suppressive tactics that would deny American citizens the sacred right 
to vote.
   This 2016 Election will be the first time in over 50 years--that a 
presidential election will occur without the full protections of the 
Voting Rights Act. As a daughter of Selma, Alabama, I am painfully 
aware that injustices suffered on the Edmund Pettus Bridge over 50 
years ago have not been fully vindicated. Though we may not be counting 
marbles in a jar, in over 30 states such as Alabama, Arizona, North 
Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin--there remains example after example of 
modern day barriers that are keeping eligible Americans from the ballot 
box.
   We are desperately in need to join together and restore the vote. 
These threats to our democracy and civil rights bar thousands of 
Americans from their right to the voting polls. Along with 
Representative Marc Veasey and my fellow colleagues, I am committed to 
push for improving and strengthening Voting Rights legislation that 
makes voting easier, not harder for the American people. I believe this 
Caucus is a symbol of great hope for change, however--I do look forward 
to the day it is no longer needed. This is America, this is a democracy 
and eligible voters should have full and free access to the polls.
   I ask that not only members of this new Caucus, but that all my 
colleagues stand up and speak out in order to restore the vote. We all 
must fight against voter suppression and discrimination at the polls. 
We all must protect the principles of this great country and the 
integrity of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We must restore the vote.
   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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