[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 10592]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1220
               THE SUPREME COURT'S VOTING RIGHTS DECISION

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, a vote at the ballot box transcends gender, 
race, religion, and socioeconomic status. Knowing that an 80-year-old 
veteran, a single mom, or an 18-year-old high school senior voting for 
the first time has an equal vote and, thus, an equal voice as does a 
millionaire or billionaire, this is what has separated us and made our 
Nation great.
  Unfortunately, the recent Supreme Court decision to strike down 
section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is not only a major setback for 
civil rights and voting rights, but it is a major blow to basic 
fundamental democracy in this country.
  Now is the time for Congress to rise above partisanship and create 
free and unfettered access to the ballot. Access to the ballot on 
election day may be one of the only times that the most disadvantaged 
in our communities have an equal voice, regardless of what they look 
like or where they come from.
  And as a Member who represents some of the most disadvantaged, I am 
undeterred and will continue to fight so my constituents can have an 
equal access to the ballot box, from the wealthiest towns to the 
poorest cities; and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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