CAPAC Reflects One Year After Shelby v. Holder
Washington, D.C. – Today marks the one year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus released the following statements:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:
“One of our most fundamental rights as Americans is the right to vote. As communities of color become more engaged in the political process, it is critical for all voters to have equal access to the ballot box. The Supreme Court’s Shelby decision one year ago was a setback for voting rights that we must rectify. Congress must pass the Voting Rights Amendment Act and ensure we have contemporary voter protections for a 21st century electorate.”
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI):
“One year ago, the Supreme Court overturned a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, putting in jeopardy one of our country’s most fundamental freedoms— the right of all Americans to vote. In Hawaii and across the nation, it is paramount that all voices are heard in our election process. That’s why, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I am working to pass the Voting Rights Amendment Act, which will help restore this fundamental right.”
Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:
“One year ago today, the Supreme Court threw out 50 years of progress in civil rights with its troubling Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder decision. Through this opinion, the Supreme Court invalidated a key provision in the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA) that allowed the courts to block discriminatory changes to voting rights in specific areas with a history of racial discrimination. We must act to restore the protections guaranteed by the VRA. I am proud to be one of the original cosponsors of the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014, which updates and modernizes the provisions of the VRA. The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy. We cannot be the ‘more perfect union’ called for in the Preamble to the Constitution if we put unfair and biased restrictions on people’s right to vote.”
Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), CAPAC Whip:
“The sections of the Voting Rights Act struck down by the Supreme Court in its Shelby County v. Holder decision played an instrumental role in protecting the voting rights of those more susceptible to disenfranchisement, and we need to alter this decision by implementing new standards to prevent local or state governments to practice in any form of voter suppression. Voting is a key tenet of our democracy, and we must ensure that all Americans will be protected from discriminatory disenfranchisement.”
Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), CAPAC Civil Rights Taskforce Chair:
“The Supreme Court’s ruling in Shelby County v. Holder one year ago today was a disappointing setback for voting rights. In response to Shelby, Members of Congress introduced the bipartisan and carefully crafted Voting Rights Amendment Act. Unfortunately, the House has not taken action on the bill. One year after the Shelby, we must recommit ourselves to protecting the right to vote for all Americans. Inaction is not an option.”
Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07):
“Ensuring that every American has the right to vote is the very basis of our democracy. Since 1965, the Voting Rights Act has been one of our nation’s most critical civil rights laws preventing voter discrimination. That’s why I support legislation to strengthen and protect the Voting Rights Act and to ensure that every citizen has a voice in choosing his or her representatives in government.”
Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (AS):
“One year ago today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Shelby County, striking down a key component of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) intended to protect minorities from discriminatory voting practices. Congress must take up this issue and amend the VRA to once again make these protections law and secure this fundamental right in our democracy. We must make every effort, with all diligence, to protect every American’s right to vote.”
Congressman Al Green (TX-09):
“One year ago today, the Supreme Court eviscerated Section 4 and emasculated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, thereby devastating a historic and vital civil rights law. Since then both chambers of Congress have worked together to craft the bipartisan Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014, which, if passed, would be a step forward in restoring the Voting Rights Act. I, along with many of my colleagues, believe that this bipartisan piece of legislation, which aims to protect the voting rights of all Americans, should be debated and voted on by both chambers of Congress without delay.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):
“Last year, the Supreme Court gutted one of our most critical pieces of civil rights legislation: The Voting Rights Act. Today, Congress must work together, in a bipartisan and bicameral way, to amend the Voting Rights Act to protect the fundamental right to vote. Inaction is not an option. Congress must act now to ensure the preservation of America’s most important right – the right to have a voice in our government at the ballot box.”
Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14):
“The Supreme Court’s misguided decision in the Shelby v. Holder case a year ago today essentially left the landmark Voting Rights Act powerless. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 to enable disenfranchised voters access to the polls. But the court’s ruling has stripped the vital protections for minority voters that the law was meant to protect. Voting is a fundamental freedom and the key provisions to the VRA must be restored.”
Background:
The Supreme Court decision in Shelby v. Holder struck down Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act, invalidating the coverage formula that determines which states and localities are subjected to preclearance before changing election laws. In January 2014, Representatives James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) and John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) introduced the bipartisan Voting Rights Amendment Act (H.R.3899) in the House. Senator Patrick Leahy (VT) introduced a companion bill (S.1945) in the Senate.
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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.