CONTACT: Will Potter   (202) 822-7823

July 14, 2006

House Votes Overwhelmingly to Keep Voting Rights Act Intact

NEA calls on Senate to follow with swift renewal of landmark civil rights legislation 

WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives voted Thursday to renew the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the nation’s most successful civil rights legislation. By a vote of 390-33, the House overwhelmingly rejected amendments proposed by a small group of opponents that would have watered down and delayed renewal of the historic law. The act will now go to the Senate for vote.

The following can be attributed to Reg Weaver, NEA president:

“The right to vote, like the basic right to a quality public education, is critical to a healthy democracy. The House of Representatives quickly rejected attempts to dilute the protections of the historic Voting Rights Act through unnecessary amendments, and now it’s up to the Senate to do the same. Lawmakers have a responsibility to ensure everyone has access to the ballot box, and to quality public schools, so all Americans can make educated, informed decisions about the policies that shape their lives.”

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.