Restore the Vote
Floor Speech
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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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