Farmingville, N.Y.—Today, Representative Tim Bishop issued the following statement on the 49th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act into law:
“Signed by President Lyndon Johnson, the Voting Rights Act ended the discriminatory practices of the Jim Crow South that essentially banned millions of Americans from practicing the most sacred of all American liberties, the right to vote. I was proud to vote in 2006 to reauthorize this important legislation.
Unfortunately, last year the Supreme Court invalidated Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act and cleared the way for states with a history of discriminatory voting practices to implement new prejudicial barriers such as voter ID laws that unfairly target seniors, students, and minorities. However, the Court left it in the hands of Congress to find a bipartisan solution that guarantees equal access to the ballot box for all.
I look forward to working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass new legislation that strengthens the Voting Rights Act for future generations. The right to have one’s voice heard is fundamental to the strength of American democracy.”