WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), voted in favor today for reauthorization of the landmark Voting Rights Act, calling it “a signal to the world” that the right to vote by every American must be safeguarded.

 The Congressman, in a speech on the House floor, noted that the U.S. Constitution, written in his home town, calls for seeking “a more perfect union.”

“As we promote democracy around the world, this is an opportunity to secure it here at home," said Congressman Fattah. "I represent the city of Philadelphia, where the Constitution was written. Today, we can again signal to the world that we continue to work toward a more perfect union."

Congressman Fattah joined with an overwhelming bipartisan majority to approve “The Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization of 2006” by a vote of 390 to 33. The legislation now goes to the U.S. Senate.

Afterward, Fattah declared, “The right to vote – to participate fully and fairly in political process – is the underpinning of our democratic system. Americans can take comfort in the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, because it ensures that every vote counts, therefore every vote must be counted!”

The VRA reauthorizes the Act for 25 years. Congressman Fattah voted against an amendment that would have limited reauthorization to 10 years and three other weakening amendments, all of which were defeated.

Enacted in 1965, and expanded in 1975, the Voting Rights Act provided extensive protection to minority communities by prohibiting any voting practice that would limit the right to vote on the basis of race.  Any “test or device” for registering or voting was forbidden, effectively abolishing poll taxes and literacy tests. Since this legislation was enacted, there has been significant growth in representation by African Americans, Latino and Asian Americans at all levels of government.  

 “Reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act honors the sacrifice of those who marched, struggled, and died to secure the right for all Americans to cast their vote,” said Fattah.  “This bill creates a more just, fair and equal society.”