Angie Craig: “Mr. President, shortly the majority leader will send an amendment to the desk to provide for a permanent extension of…”

“Mr. President, shortly the majority leader will send an amendment to the desk to provide for a permanent extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This was one of the truly landmark pieces of legislation in American history. Last Congress, Senator Dodd and I spearheaded, along with Senator Bond, what became a 2-year quest to reform the way elections are conducted in this country. Senator Dodd was correct in saying the election reform legislation we passed was the most important civil rights bill of this century, the 21st century. With the support of 92 Members of this Chamber, we were successful in protecting the rights of all Americans--all Americans--to cast a vote and have it counted, but to do so only once. Gone will be the days of dogs and dead people registering and voting, and so, too, will be the days of faulty equipment and being turned away at the polls. Now the majority leader shortly will offer an amendment which makes permanent the most important civil rights bill of the previous century, the 20th century.”