Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson today cast a vote that affirms the continuation of  the Voting Rights Act, legislation Rep. Johnson said “is emblematic of all that is best in America.”

“I’m proud to be part of the chamber that today adamantly reaffirmed the fundamental rights of all citizens to exercise their most precious freedoms,” Rep. Johnson said. “This action was taken with resounding bipartisan support and enthusiasm, signaling to the rest of the world that we are united in guaranteeing the rights of all citizens to participate in our democracy.”

Since its original enactment in 1965, the Voting Rights Act has been renewed four times by bipartisan majorities and with support of both Republican and Democratic presidents. The latest renewal is for 25 years and will help ensure that when discriminatory practices of the past resurface, they are immediately put to rest.

Rep. Johnson opposed an amendment that would have reauthorized the act for only 10 more years. He also opposed amendments that would have weakened the Act by changing the formula by which voting jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory practices are able to end scrutiny by federal courts.

Rep. Johnson supported an amendment that allows for the expiration of the federal requirement that ballots be printed in languages other than English in jurisdictions where a certain percentage of citizens speak a foreign language. The amendment did not pass, however.

“There are several reasons I wanted to allow this requirement to expire,” Rep. Johnson said. “One, it is an unfunded mandate by the federal government. Second, nothing in the law prevents states or localities from doing this on their own should they choose. Thirdly, to be eligible to vote, you have to be a citizen and to become a citizen, one must pass a citizenship test – in English. Lastly, existing law requires that any voter who requires help in voting by reason of inability to read or write may be given assistance by a person of the voter’s choice.”

The legislation now moves to the Senate for action.

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