Sheila Jackson Lee: “It is disappointing that we are here in the dark of night discussing the issues of election fairness. I would almost…”

“It is disappointing that we are here in the dark of night discussing the issues of election fairness. I would almost imagine it would be somewhat similar to taking up the Voting Rights Act, the one of 1965, in the dark of night. We can speak lightly about this, but I will tell you that every election time someone is denied the right to vote in the United States. I hope Americans are paying attention tonight to realize that even though it is represented that the change and eliminating the particular agency that deals with the questions of fairness, the Election Assistance Commission, we're actually not saving money, and passing the responsibilities off to the Federal Elections Commission. Why could we not have accepted the amendment of the distinguished gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez), who said let's do it right. Let's have a general accountable study and know what we're doing and if we're taking away the rights of those who are desiring to vote. I will tell you that the purging of voters that occurs in Texas and other places around the Nation, and in particular in Harris County, is not a minor issue. The distraction of African American male voters in Florida during the 2000 election is not simply a distraction.…”