Pigs fly: Sen. Frist proposes permanent reauthorization of Section 4 of Voting Rights Act
"Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act will be up for reauthorization in 2007. President Reagan signed into law a 25 year reauthorization in 1982.
"Section 4 contains a temporary pre-clearance provision that applies to Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and parts of Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, and North Carolina. These states must submit any voting changes to the United States Department of Justice for pre-clearance. If the Department of Justice concludes that the change weakens the voting strength of minority voters, it can refuse to approve the change.
"While I recognize the bureaucratic hassle this can be for states acting in good faith, in light of our history, it’s one that I believe provides a measure of assurance that the full force of the U.S. Government stands behind voting rights.
"There is a widespread 'urban legend' that Section 4 will not be renewed in 2007, 25 years after it was reauthorized, and that African Americans will lose their right to vote. This is not true. Even if Section 4 were not reauthorized, the right to vote for all Americans would remain.
"However, you can imagine how fearful this is for many Americans who, until recently in American history, were denied the right to vote.
"That’s why Sen. McConnell and I are offering an amendment to permanently reauthorize Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. We want to make clear to all that we will not renege on the hard-fought gains of the Civil Rights Movement." -- Frist Seeks Permanent Authorization Of Voting Rights Act (Chattanoogan.com)
Republicans also sought to put on the [handgun regulation] bill a renewal of a special provisions section of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that requires Southern and some Western states get federal approval before making any changes in state voting laws. However, they pulled the amendment after Democrats complained that the issue should be considered separately. -- Senate OKs Handgun Locks Legislation (AP)
I have not been able to find Frist's statement in the Congressional Record. If anyone finds it, please let me know.
By the way, read the whole Frist statement. It may prove that Rep. John Lewis's trip to Alabama has had some success. Let's see if this actually passes.