Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Vigorously Supports The “Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, And Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization And Amendments Act Of 2006″

[Press Release from U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, (D-Houston), TX-CD-18].

Washington, DC - The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 is the most effective civil rights statute ever enacted, and while its successes has generated increased political power for many at the local, state, and federal levels, there is still much work to be done. Critical provisions of the Act, including the language assistance provisions contained within Section 203, are set to expire next year. “The right to vote is only meaningful when the language of the ballot and other election materials is fully comprehensible to the voter,” stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 addresses this compelling record by renewing the voting rights act temporary provisions for 25 years. Among other things, the bill reauthorizes and restores Section 5 to the original congressional intent that has been undermined by the Supreme Court in Reno v. Bossier Parish II and Georgia v. Ashcroft. The bill also keeps the federal observer provisions in place and authorizes recovery of expert witness fees in lawsuits brought to enforce the voting rights act.

The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 is still needed to ensure that all citizens, including people with disabilities, as well as seniors, people within the lower socioeconomic levels, people from diverse racial and ethnic groups and people with language needs, are provided an equal opportunity to participate in the political process. “Ones language should not be a litmus test for ones love of America,” stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. The existing The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 paved the way for more Americans to vote and set the stage for initial dialogue that resulted in the enactment of supplementary laws addressing the enfranchisement of people with disabilities.

“I stand here today an heir of the Civil Rights Movement, a beneficiary of the Voting Rights Act,” commented Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. “My faith in the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act too is whole, it is complete, it is total.  I would be breaking faith with those who risked all and gave all to secure for my generation the right to vote if I did not do all I can to strengthen the Voting Rights Act so that it will forever keep open doors that shut out so many for so long,” stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

Since The Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 enactment, the rise in voter registration has brought to the forefront a number of needs that should be considered at reauthorization, such as accessibility enforcement components and the coordination of new technologies, including universal design. In collaboration with other pertinent laws, reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 can boost full participation in the political process by all citizens.