Beatty Joins Members of U.S. House and Senate in Introducing Legislation to Restore and Advance the Voting Rights Act of 1965

July 2, 2015

Beatty Joins Members of U.S. House and Senate in Introducing Legislation to Restore and Advance the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 Would Protect Americans
Across the Nation from Discrimination in Voting
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated key protections of the Voting Right Act of 1965 in Shelby County v. Holder, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) joined as an original cosponsor in a bipartisan bicameral effort in introducing the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015, H.R. 2867, legislation that would restore these protections. The Legislation was introduced on June 23, 2015 in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.
"It is more critical than ever that we safeguard the right of every American to vote free of suppression and fear," said Rep. Beatty. "This bill, supported in both the House and the Senate, shows that there are many leaders and the citizens they represent who understand that the ongoing fight for an America that is fair and free from discrimination is inextricably tied to unencumbered voting rights for all citizens."
Rep. Beatty joined 70 members of Congress in introducing the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015, H.R. 2867. The legislation targets certain voting practices known to suppress the rights of minority voters. Two years since the Supreme Court gutted core protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in Shelby County v. Holder, many states and localities throughout the country have passed sweeping laws that disproportionately suppress the voting rights of minorities. These laws have left many without the protections needed to exercise their constitutional right to vote. H.R. 2867 would restore and advance critical voter protections.
"The Supreme Court's failure in 2013 to uphold key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in the Shelby decision is one of the most detrimental and short-sighted actions the Court has taken in recent times. Disenfranchised communities should be protected by the government. To honor the progress our country has made to ensure equal rights and equal treatment, Congress should pass immediately the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 to ensure that all Americans may cast ballots to choose their leaders and public servants," said Rep. Beatty.
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