Janice Schakowsky: “I rise in support of H.R. 9, the Voting Rights Reauthorization Act. It was once said that ``a majority has no right to…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 9, the Voting Rights Reauthorization Act. It was once said that ``a majority has no right to vote away the rights of a minority; the political function of rights is precisely to protect minorities from oppression by majorities.'' The amendments offered today by the majority seek to do precisely that; oppress the voting rights of minorities all over America to fairly and freely vote in elections. While I am pleased to see this important, critical, and bipartisan bill brought to the floor, I am disheartened to see amendments offered that would weaken the core of H.R. 9 and would take a step backward in the fight for equality. Since the birth of our Nation, no other right has been more important than having the ability to vote. Unfortunately, as history has shown, the denial of this right to minorities is a scar on our system of democracy. The passage of the groundbreaking Voting Rights Act of 1965 broke down barriers that stood in the way of African-Americans and minorities to vote, and we must pass H.R. 9, without the gutting amendments, to ensure that these barriers of discrimination, intimidation, and inequality will never be built again. Just as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 gave voice to millions of African American and minority men and women, H.R. 9 will ensure that voice for millions more in generations to come. H.R.…”