When that right is impeded, then the very Government itself is threatened.

Senator Bill Nelson approached me and asked me to hold this field hearing because of his concern that the constitutionally protected rights to vote are under attack.

But we must be constantly vigilant against threats to these hard-fought victories.

I believe that we must stand up for the rights of all Americans.

Is that your testimony?

it is to your credit that you interrelate all of that

In order to make it easier to vote early voting was enacted.

There are people literally fighting and dying as we sit here for the right to vote in countries like Syria, and we are finding ways to restrict the right to vote?

I cannot thank you enough for convening this hearing.

All of us agree that the right to vote is a precious right, and it sets apart the United States from a lot of the countries of the world.

The Supreme Court Citizens United decision, which was issued 2 years ago this week, opened a floodgate of special interest money into campaigns.