Donald M. Payne: “Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friends and colleagues, Congressman Horsford of Nevada and Congressman…”

“Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friends and colleagues, Congressman Horsford of Nevada and Congressman Jeffries of New York, for anchoring tonight's CBC Special Order on the Voting Rights Act. Fair and equal access to the ballot box is an important topic and one of these that has not been fully resolved. One hundred-fifty years ago, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, but it took another 100 years to pass the Civil Rights Act, and eventually the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Since then, our country has made progress in achieving justice and equality, but it is no secret this process has been painfully slow and noticeably deficient. The Supreme Court will hear the case this week of Shelby v. Holder, which, if ruled in the favor of Shelby County, Alabama, would take us back 50 years and undo protections granted in the Voting Rights Act. {time} 2030 Some argue that we no longer need some of these protections provided in the Voting Rights Act. Some argue that we have achieved equality and justice for all. Some argue that section 5 is outdated because racism has been eviscerated. It is true we've come a long way and times have changed, but the unfortunate fact is that we have not changed enough. Let's look at the facts. This past November, people across this Nation had to wait in line to vote for hours in places such as Miami, Tampa, Richmond, Charlotte, and Raleigh.…”