Voter Suppression is Un-American
Floor Speech
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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today on this Restoration Tuesday, I rise to shed light on the continued voter suppression around the country during this election year and the ongoing battle to protect every American's constitutional right to vote. Alabama--Arizona--Texas--Wisconsin--the list goes on. We continue to hear tale after tale of modern day barriers to the voting polls this election year. After the Supreme Court struck down Section 4 pre- clearance requirements in 2013, several states took that ruling as a license to trample on the Constitution and violate the voting rights of vulnerable communities across the nation. These continued attacks on the rights of eligible voters in this country are unconscionable and unconstitutional. Congress needs to act now to stop this plague of voter suppression and fight for justice. Today, as you know, the state of New York is holding its primary elections. Unsurprisingly, complaints have already been made by eligible voters who registered a minor party or with no party, and who will not be able to participate in the primary elections. New state rules allow only registered Democrats to vote in Tuesday's Democratic primary and only registered Republicans to vote in the GOP contest. This new law will leave out 3.2 million New Yorkers who are registered to vote. Likewise, my home state of Alabama implemented new strict voter ID laws and then closed over 30 DMV offices; the most popular location to obtain a driver's license. Arizona implemented a similar voter suppression strategy by reducing their voting sites from 200 in 2012 to 60 in 2016, citing a so-called need for budget savings. In all, 17 states across the country have implemented new restrictive laws aimed at blocking the American people from the ballot box. New laws with strict photo identification requirements, early voting cutbacks, new requirements of proof of citizenship, and practices creating grueling waiting lines are all burdensome barriers which would have likely been blocked through the Voting Rights Act process of pre-clearance. And not surprisingly, these new restrictions have disproportionately affected minority populations such as African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans as well as university students. The fear of voter fraud is an excuse. The need for budget cutbacks is an excuse. The American people are fed up with the excuses. Fundamental to our democracy is the right to vote, and creating barriers to block the vote is truly un-American. It holds little value to give someone a car and then take away the keys. Our right to vote is the vehicle to democracy but we need the keys to easily access the polls. The suppression needs to stop, the oppression needs to stop, and the excuses need to stop. 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.
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