Political Quotes

“Mr. President, on another matter, voting rights, today marks the 54th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the protest march in Selma, AL, that led ultimately to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. It was one of the most noble acts in American history. The courage of those who marched across that bridge, including our colleague, John Lewis, will be remembered centuries from now. It is a reminder that one thread of the American story is about how, despite our founding, our democratic principles, there has been a long march toward achieving the franchise. We had democratic principles in the beginning. It was brand new. It was great, but remember, in 1789, in almost every State, the only people who could vote were White, male, Protestant property owners. I would imagine that would probably leave out even a majority in this Chamber who would be able to vote. We have to keep improving that democracy. No one says we should only have White, male, Protestant property owners vote today because it was true in 1789. We have to move forward. We have to make voting more available and easier because the right to vote, without barriers, is what our soldiers, for centuries, have died for and what the people on that bridge marched for. The march is still not over. In the wake of the disaster that was the Supreme Court's Shelby decision, 19 States rushed to pass discriminatory voter restrictions.…”