Van Hollen Supports the Voting Rights Advancement Act

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement on the introduction of the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 to restore the full protections of the original, bipartisan Voting Rights Act of 1965. He is a cosponsor of the legislation:

"Fifty years ago, President Lyndon Johnson stood before Congress and called upon the nation to overcome years of discrimination and intentional, structural roadblocks that prevented African Americans and other minorities from exercising their right to vote. Many Americans still face discriminatory roadblocks, which were made worse by the devastating Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder two years ago today that gutted much of President Johnson's landmark Voting Rights Act.

"Every potential vote prevented from being cast is a blight on our democracy. Passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 is a necessary and vital step toward removing all discriminatory obstacles to carrying out our constitutional right to shape our future at the ballot box. I'm proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting this critical legislation."

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