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Voter Empowerment Act and the Voting Rights Advancement Act

Floor Speech

Date: July 28, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, August 6 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. It has stood for a half a century as the great guardian of America's right to vote.

However, 2 years ago the Supreme Court dismantled key protections within the act. Making matters worse since, Republicans in Congress have refused to restore the protections and bring up a renewed and strengthened Voting Rights Act.

Today the right to vote is under coordinated attack around the country. States and localities are passing laws that restrict the right to vote, making it harder for young people, disabled Americans, and people of color to participate in our democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Voter Empowerment Act and the Voting Rights Advancement Act. I call on my Republican colleagues to join Democrats and pass a renewed, strengthened VRA and ensure the ballot box belongs to every American.

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