Congressinal Hispanic Caucus Stresses Importance of Voting Rights Act

(Washington DC) -The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) applauded the 8-1 decision from the United States Supreme Court this week that recognizes the ongoing need for the Voting Rights Act (VRA) in protecting and ensuring the right of every American to participate in our great democracy. The reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act by the 110th Congress was based on more than 17,000 pages of testimony and evidence. The legislation was enacted by a margin of 390 to 3 in the House and 98 to 0 in the Senate.

"The Voting Rights Act is critical to ensuring fairness and opportunity in our nation's democracy, and I am pleased to see the highest court of the land uphold and affirm it," said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY), the Chairwoman of CHC. "Our most recent elections demonstrate that there continue to be attempts to undermine voters' rights. The Voting Rights Act helps ensure every citizen can exercise their right to vote, and provides needed protections to minority communities, including Latinos and naturalized citizens."

"The CHC thanks those organizations, private citizens and public officials that brought instances of voting rights violations to our attention," added Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez, the 1st Vice Chair of the CHC and the Chair of the group's Civil Rights, Veterans and Worker Protections Task Force. "Because there are those that believe that "violence, intimidation and subterfuge", that required the Voting Rights Act, "no longer remain"; we ask that those recognizing the need for voting rights protection continue their vigilance and reporting in order for us to meet the ongoing opposition to the VRA. As a reaffirmation of the essential right to vote, the VRA's historic accomplishments are undeniable and remain a vital piece of civil rights legislation that we must continue to uphold."

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