Political Quotes

On the recordJune 25, 2014
How do we all get here? How do we get to be one of 435 people in the United States Congress, a great honor that it is to serve in this Congress? Madam Speaker, we all get here because people vote for us, the American public votes. It is the essence of a democracy. That is what makes this country great. That is why we have sent soldiers to Iraq and other places, to try to give other people democracy and have people vote. Forty-nine years ago, this Congress passed the Voting Rights Act. John Lewis, a Member of this Congress now, marched in Selma, Alabama, and was beaten by troopers to get the right to vote. Even before that, students went to Mississippi and throughout the South--which was called the Mississippi Freedom Summer--to register people to vote and had to fight to give African Americans the opportunity to vote. Schwerner, Chaney, and Goodman were killed in Mississippi. They were Mississippi Freedom Summer fighters. I met with Andy Goodman's--who was murdered down there--brother yesterday because a year ago, almost to the day, if not to the day, the Supreme Court, in Shelby v. Holder, ruled part of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional. Our Chief Justice said it is no longer needed. Well, he was wrong. It is needed. Everyone should be entitled to vote.…
Said by
Steve Cohen
Democratic · Tennessee

Share

More from Steve Cohen

Sep 23, 2024

Our subcommittee will work with all the relevant parties to enact any legislative changes necessary.

congress.gov
Jun 17, 2026

As you wind down your term of Governor, consider your Christian background as you implement policies that will define your legacy.

tennesseelookout.com
Dec 3, 2024

Today I filed a bill to require the Ethics Committee to release the ethics report on former Representative Matt Gaetz, and I will give notice shortly. I don't do this to give the salacious parts of the report to the public for any…

govinfo.gov
May 12, 2026

I plan to introduce the Billionaire Income Tax Act on Wednesday and will hold a press conference with the House cosponsor Congressman Don Beyer and the Senate bill sponsor Ron Wyden.

congress.gov

Other voices in this conversation