[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               H.R. 4, THE VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2019

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my support 
for H.R. 4, The Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA). The VRAA restores 
the protections and enforcement of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) to its 
former strength after being gutted by the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder 
Supreme Court decision. The VRAA responds to the wave of voter 
suppression tactics enacted by states and localities since that 
decision, requiring states with a recent history of voter 
discrimination to seek federal preclearance for election changes.
  Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and the fundamental right 
upon which all our civil liberties rest. In the previous two elections, 
we have seen an unprecedented increase in the engagement of voter 
suppression tactics. Specifically, in my home state of Texas, there 
have been ongoing suppression efforts, such as including additional 
obstacles for voter registration, cutbacks on early voting, and 
stricter voter identification requirements.
  The VRAA will counteract these unfair practices by requiring a 
nationwide, practice-based preclearance for ``known discriminatory 
practices,'' such as the creation of at-large districts, inadequate 
multilingual voting materials and cuts to polling places. The VRAA will 
also increase transparency by requiring reasonable public notice for 
voting changes. Finally, the bill will allow the Attorney General 
authority to request federal observers to be present anywhere in the 
country where a serious threat to voter access and fair elections 
exists.
  The reality is that we continue to see a number of significant 
obstacles to the free and fair exercise of the right to vote. Congress 
must do everything in its power to ensure that all Americans have the 
opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote. I support 
this critical legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote for this 
bill as well.

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