Chairman Crowley Statement on the 52nd Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
(Washington, D.C.) — House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY) issued the following statement marking the upcoming 52nd anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, which was signed into law on August 6, 1965:
“Fifty-two years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, securing one of the fundamental pillars of our nation’s democracy: the right to vote for all Americans.
“Despite the progress made in the Voting Rights Act and other means, voting rights are under attack once again. The Supreme Court’s decision on Shelby County v. Holder inflicted one of the most devastating blows to our democracy, and whispers from a dark past have grown louder across the country to deny Americans their right to vote and suppress voter participation.
“As we honor one of the most consequential civil rights achievements in our history, we must renew our commitment to the fight to ensure that every voter is able to participate in our democracy to the fullest extent. That includes passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore the critical protections that were gutted from the Voting Rights Act in the Shelby case. We have the opportunity to reverse course and ensure voting accessibility for every American, and I urge my Republican colleagues to join us in this effort.”
Follow Us