Posted on 06/26/2013 2:20:48 PM PDT by jazusamo
A leading House Republican is calling on Congress to update the Voting Rights Act just a day after the Supreme Court neutered its central provision.
Warning that "the threat of discrimination still exists," Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.) is urging lawmakers from both parties to cast aside partisanship and restore the law for the sake of protecting voters' rights.
"The Voting Rights Act is vital to America’s commitment to never again permit racial prejudices in the electoral process," Sensenbrenner, the second-ranked Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said Wednesday in a statement.
"This is going to take time and will require members from both sides of the aisle to put partisan politics aside and ensure Americans’ most sacred right is protected."
Tuesday's 5-4 decision struck down a key part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which required a number of states with a history of racial discrimination to get Washington's approval before changing their voting procedures.
Behind Chief Justice John Roberts, the court's conservative majority found that the formula dictating which states are subject to the extra hurdles — defined by Section 4 of the law — is outdated and therefore unconstitutional.
"Coverage today is based on decades-old data and eradicated practices," Roberts wrote. "Our country has changed, and while any racial discrimination in voting is too much, Congress must ensure that the legislation it passes to remedy that problem speaks to current conditions."
The court did not invalidate Section 5 of the law, which empowers the federal government to require preclearance of voting changes for certain states and localities. But without a formula to determine which regions are subject to the extra scrutiny, Section 5 is effectively neutered.
Roberts invited Congress to "draft another formula based on current conditions." Sensenbrenner says he plans to do just that.
"Section 5 of the Act was a bipartisan effort to rectify past injustices and ensure minorities’ ability to participate in elections, but the threat of discrimination still exists," he said.
"I am disappointed by the Court’s ruling," he added, "but my colleagues and I will work in a bipartisan fashion to update Section 4 to ensure Section 5 can be properly implemented to protect voting rights, especially for minorities."
Sensenbrenner's views found support from at least one other member of the GOP on Capitol Hill: Rep. Steve Chabot of Ohio, who also serves on the Judiciary Committee.
“I am disappointed that the Court invalidated the Voting Rights Act’s coverage formula, which has been used for decades to help protect the voting rights of millions of Americans," Chabot said.
"However, by leaving Section 5’s pre-clearance requirements intact, the Court has given Congress the opportunity to amend the coverage formula to preserve these important protections. I am hopeful that we will work together to enact an appropriate fix in the same bipartisan manner and spirit that we did when reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act in 2006.”
Meanwhile, the top House Democrat is already eying legislation to overturn the Court's decision.
"It's really a step backward, and it's not a reflection of what's really happening in our country in some of these places," Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told The Hill.
House Democrats are meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss what a legislative fix would look like.
Pelosi is already floating a name for a possible bill: "I would like to see something ... called the John Lewis Voting Rights Act," she said.
What is it with these stupid Republicans? They just have to find ways to either shoot themselves in the foot or stab us in the back.
That .00000000000001% in extra black votes is in the bag now!!!!
This isn’t the first time he’s joined the Rats on this.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3035480/posts
GOP harakiri alert!
Those days are long over. The SCOTUS was (accidentally, it appears, on the basis of today's bizarre decisions) correct, and Republicans should let it die the quiet death it deserves.
You show me ANY Black person in this country who is
-18 or older
-Registered in their state and district
-Not a felon
who has EVER been denied their right to vote. Absolutely NO ONE involved in the elections process would deny a black person his right to vote. For one thing with Obama and Eric Holder in there you’d reap the whirlwind coming down on your head. For another this isn’t 1962.
If we roll over on this we’re sure to get the black vote.
Has Sensenbrenner taken leave of his senses?
You’re absolutely right.
That R next to his name means retard.
“trying to be the Rubio of the House.”
I thought that title was already taken by crybaby bonehead I mean boehner.
We don’t win any wars with these guys. I am through with Republicans...I don’t need this.
Go ahead an flame me... it wont change the fact we are led by absolute morons who leave their spines in the house or senate cloak room and then wuss out on votes.
Freegards
LEX
GOP harakiri alert!
Unfortunately they do not have enough honor the even commit harakiri.
We prefer to be called "little people."
Has Sensenbrenner taken leave of his senses?
Either that or he never had any top begin with.
He must have an appointment to perform a Monica on Obama.
Anything to investigate the 101% voter support in some precincts? Or 100% of the vote going to Obama in over 50 precincts?
Or is that not the kind of racist discrimination we are looking for in elections anymore?
As a member of the newest minority in America, white people deserve an answer.
“...this isn’t 1962.”
The New Black Panthers will see that there aren’t any problems. Senselessbrenner needs to BTFO.
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