Political Quotes

“I thank my friend for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 5746, which contains the text of H.R. 4, the so-called John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. With H.R. 4, Democrats are attempting to orchestrate yet another radical and unprecedented Federal power grab over State-administered elections, this time under the guise of updating the Voting Rights Act. But the history here is so important. Upon its enactment in 1965, the VRA employed extraordinary measures to address pervasive State resistance to removing radically discriminatory barriers that did at that time prevent minorities from exercising their right to vote. But here is what is important: After exhaustive review in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court's Shelby County v. Holder decision recognized an obvious fact when examining the Voting Rights Act: Things have changed dramatically since 1965. Of course, that fact should be celebrated. The Court reasoned that requiring States to preclear election law changes today based on conduct a half century ago was an unconstitutional invasion of State sovereignty. Republicans are thrilled the VRA worked. The truth is that more Americans from minority communities are voting now than ever before, and overall voting registration remains sky high.…”