Pelosi: The Right to Vote Must Never be Compromised'
Pelosi: The Right to Vote Must Never be Compromised'
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House and Senate leaders from both parties spoke this afternoon at a news conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol announcing their bipartisan support for legislation to reauthorize expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act for an additional 25 years. Below are Pelosi's remarks:
"Mr. Speaker, you are going to hear me say something I rarely say: I wish to associate myself with your remarks. I'm honored to be here with you and the bipartisan leadership of the Congress of the United States and Congressman John Lewis, the conscience of the House of Representatives. It was Congressman Lewis's courage and so many other brave Americans, some of whom gave their lives so that the cause of freedom and justice could be advanced for all.
"The legacy of the Voting Rights Act is our continuing obligation to create a society that is more just, more fair, and more equal. It is our continuing struggle to end injustice and bigotry. This legislation to strengthen and reauthorize the expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act reaffirms an enduring principle of our democracy: that every vote counts, and every vote must be counted.
"By naming this legislation in honor of three remarkable women, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, and Fannie Lou Hamer, we acknowledge their abiding faith in a just America.
"Last August, many of us here had the honor to march in Atlanta in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. I took with me the commitment of more than 200 members of the House Democratic Caucus to reauthorize this landmark legislation - I bring that same commitment today.
"We stand together in support of the essential requirements of the pre-clearance provisions, bilingual ballots, and language assistance.
"Today, let us recommit to the spirit of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, by ensuring that every American voter can vote by ending the continuing attempts to suppress and intimidate minority voters and by guaranteeing the integrity of the vote count. In America, the right to vote must never be compromised."
http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/articles.cfm?pressReleaseID=1541