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Voting Rights Act

Floor Speech

Date: July 29, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights Arts, Entertainment, and History

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Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, on August 6, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Mr. Speaker, this landmark law codified protections to guarantee every American's right to vote. For the past five decades, the Voting Rights Act has broken down barriers that discouraged or outright prohibited citizens from voting.

The VRA led to a more inclusive electoral system that increasingly reflected the diversity of the American people.

Mr. Speaker, the right to vote is central to who we are as Americans and to our democracy.

But this cornerstone of American civil rights is unfortunately being threatened today. In too many places across the country, we have seen new measures that create barriers that make it harder to register or vote.

On this 50th anniversary, we must redouble our commitment to strengthening the Voting Rights Act. We can start by restoring the Voting Rights Act to ensure that the rights of all Americans that go to the ballot box and cast a ballot are protected.

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