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July 13, 2006

NEA Calls for Swift Renewal of Voting Rights Act

House should reject attempts to water down landmark civil rights legislation 

WASHINGTON -- As the full House of Representatives considers Voting Rights Act reauthorization legislation Thursday, the National Education Association called on lawmakers to oppose all amendments offered by some Republican lawmakers to water down the historic legislation and stall its passage.

“This landmark legislation has protected the right to vote for millions of Americans, and its job is far from over,” said Reg Weaver, NEA president. “It has been our nation’s most successful civil rights law and has had remarkable success in ensuring access to the voting booth. Lawmakers should build on that legacy, not roll it back.”

Congress enacted the Voting Rights Act 41 years ago in response to persistent and purposeful discrimination through literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation, threats and violence.  The act has enfranchised millions of racial, ethnic and language minority citizens by eliminating discriminatory practices and removing other barriers to their political participation. 

Last month the House leadership cancelled a vote on the bipartisan Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 (H.R. 9). The bill had strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, and passed the House Judiciary Committee with only one dissenting vote.

The bill would renew key provisions of the act that are set to expire in 2007. Section 5 safeguards against discriminatory voting practices by requiring states with a history of discrimination to obtain pre-clearance from the Department of Justice. Section 203 provides assistance at the voting booth for citizens with limited English proficiency.  And Sections 6-9 authorize the federal government to use election observers to monitor compliance with the act.

H.R. 9 would renew these sections for 25 years, ensuring the continued vitality of the Voting Rights Act. 

President Bush has urged Congress to renew the expiring provisions in their entirety.

“The right to vote and the right to a quality public education are essential to a healthy democracy,” Weaver said. “A strong democracy requires the full protection of both rights, so well-educated and well-informed people are able to shape public policies that affect them.”

For more information on the Voting Rights Act:
www.nea.org/webresources/votingrights.html

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.8  million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.