Since the Supreme Court’s devastating decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which left millions of Americans without the vital protections of the Voting Rights Act’s preclearance process, civil society organizations all around the country have banded together in calling on Congress to pass the Voting Rights Amendment Act. The VRAA strengthens, updates, and modernizes the Voting Rights Act to combat present-day voting discrimination wherever it may occur.
The broad coalition of organizations calling on the Senate and House of Representatives to pass the VRAA include: the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, League of United Latin American Citizens, AFL-CIO, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, AARP, American Council of the Blind, American Nurses Association, B’nai B’rith International, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, Hip Hop Caucus, Japanese American Citizens League, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Teach for America, and many, many others.
Earlier this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee announced it will hold a hearing on the need for voting rights protections on the first anniversary of Shelby County v. Holder, June 25.
Today, one week away from this first anniversary, a press conference will be held in the House Judiciary Committee Meeting Room to call upon Congress to pass the VRAA:
Press Conference to Be Held in House Judiciary Committee Room on Wednesday at 1:30 EDT
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. EDT, Tri-Caucus members and civil rights leaders will host a press conference on the Hill reaffirming their unified support for the Voting Rights Amendment Act (VRAA).
This press conference kicks off the most important week in voting rights, with the approaching one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder and corresponding first Senate hearing on June 25 and the upcoming 50th anniversaries of Freedom Summer and the Civil Rights Act. At the press conference, prominent figures in voting rights today will stand together to discuss why this is the critical time for action, and call on the House to advance the VRAA now to protect voters before they go to the polls in November.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 18, 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: 2226 Rayburn House Office Building
WHO:
Click here for a link to the live webcast: