Clyburn and Colleagues Call for House Action on Voting Rights Legislation

CLYBURN AND COLLEAGUES CALL FOR HOUSE ACTION ON
VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON – Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn joined 160 House colleagues in sending the following letter today to the offices of Speaker John A. Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte.  The letter calls for action on H.R. 3899, the bipartisan Voting Rights Amendment Act.

March 27, 2014

The Honorable John A. Boehner                                                      The Honorable Eric Cantor
Speaker of the House                                                                       House Majority Leader
H-232 The Capitol                                                                             H-329 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515                                                                     Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Bob Goodlatte
Chairman, House Judiciary Committee
2138 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Speaker Boehner, Leader Cantor, and Chairman Goodlatte:

            In the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder last year, Chief Justice Roberts expressly acknowledged the persistence of voter discrimination and challenged Congress to formulate an updated coverage formula to protect against it.  H.R. 3899, the Voting Rights Amendment Act, is a bipartisan bill that would restore the safeguards of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in a manner consistent with the Shelby County decision.  Some of us believe the bill should be enacted in its current form, and some of us would prefer to see it amended.  But all of us stand united in our desire for the House to consider the issue in time for the entire Congress to work its will before the August district work period.

            In that spirit, we ask that the Judiciary Committee hold a hearing on this legislation and proceed toward a markup with full confidence that any legislation passed out of the committee will be considered on the House floor.  We stand ready to work with you to move the bipartisan bill to the floor expeditiously.  We are confident that a bipartisan bill passed by the House would be swiftly passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President. 

While we differ in our views on the ideal response to Shelby County, we all hope to join you in building on the bipartisan agreement that has been reached to ensure that, as President Ronald Reagan said, “no barrier will come between our citizens and the voting booth.”

Sincerely,