Another Blight on American History

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. McClellan) for hosting this Special Order hour.

The House is on fire, and our democracy is under attack. This time, instead of storming the Capitol, they are changing the maps to silence the voices of millions of Americans.

The Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais has given States a green light to weaken Black political power under the false cover of race neutrality.

In Memphis, Tennessee, a historic, organic majority-Black district has been carved up to dilute its voice.

In Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi, similar efforts are under way.

It is ironic that the States where the power stealing is happening right now are Confederate States where the tension of race remains unresolved.

Let's be clear. This virus is contagious. Wake up, people. This is not coincidence. This is coordination. The attacks are dangerous, but so is the silence. Silence in this moment is complicity, and history will document who spoke up and who stayed quiet.

Let's not forget, the Black vote has never just elected Black leaders. It has been the backbone of coalitions that lifted others into power.

In 2020, Black voters in Georgia not only elected Reverend Warnock to the Senate, they also elected Jon Ossoff, flipping two red seats blue and giving Democrats the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.

They have consistently shown up for and elected Presidents like Joe Biden, proving once again that not only Black leaders benefit from Black political engagement and trust.

Let me be clear about something else. Black Members of Congress do not only represent Black communities. We represent everyone. Many of us serve diverse, even majority White districts, delivering results for all of our constituents.

When these maps are redrawn to eliminate Black representation, it is not about fairness. It is about fear and real talk. If race is truly not a factor, then why are Black districts always the ones being dismantled?

Let's say it plainly. If some of our colleagues were not afraid of Black voters, then they would not be working so hard to silence us.

We have to meet this moment with urgency. Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, organize, mobilize, turn out, and hold receipts. This is bigger than any one district. It is about whether democracy works for all of us.

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