John Conyers

Today, we're going to look at the government's actions during World War II.

Voter ID is, as has been said so many times, a solution in search of a problem

I still think we need to have a hearing on ACORN because they have been made the poster child of illegal voting in America...

We need to carry on the discussion that Chairman Nadler raised in terms of how we comprehensively and effectively approach the issues raised here.

We are still working on Hamtramck, Mr. Conyers, and a number of Michigan jurisdictions to provide assistance.

What we need is greater enforcement of the Federal Voting Rights Act.

These two issues--the need for federal legislation banning deceptive practices and Justice Department enforcement of federal voting rights protections--are the focus of my testimony today.

This bill will not only prevent these practices under federal law, but will provide the necessary administrative remedies.

I want to thank you for your leadership in combating deceptive voting practices.

If you intend to deceive voters, you will be punished.

We believe Congress should prioritize the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Act for this year.

Deceptive practices...has become an endemic problem.

I want to thank you for your leadership in reintroducing the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2009.

We have a duty to make our elections open to all eligible citizens, conduct them fairly, and make them transparent.

I am interested in how we can get a more positive attitude about voting in America, and it has to come from the Federal Government.

To have the former Chairman of the Committee worry about ACORN as if that is a serious problem, why don't we, Steve, have a hearing on ACORN?

We have come through two presidential elections that were highly controversial.

Now everything in a democratic system turns on the fairness of the voting process, to choose who governs, at every level.

It is very critical that that budget have the correct funding for the civil rights division

The voter rights section, the civil rights section of the Department of Justice has been clearly off track across the years.

I would like to ask respectfully that the Chairman consider such a hearing so we can get to the bottom of this.

First, by picking some banks as winners, and giving them money to buy their competitors, is the Federal Government creating a whole new generation of institutions that are 'too big to fail?'

But how can you talk about a 'free market' when CEOs whose companies went bankrupt walk away with $40 or $50 million?

We are in a situation of our own making. We have sat back and let ourselves be convinced by the argument that bigger is always better.

The only point I want to make before I yield to the Chairman of the Constitution Committee on the House Judiciary, Jerry Nadler, is to say that my only problem about this proposal is the possible cost to the States.