Rep. John Lewis made this comment earlier today related to news of the Atlanta city government’s financial problems:

"Mayor Franklin has delivered some very difficult news. There are tough times ahead for all of us who live in Atlanta. I am aware of her request for federal assistance. Right now, it is too early to determine what kind of federal support the city can receive. I am in the process of talking to the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Charlie Rangel, and other colleagues to determine how the federal government can help the city as we confront this crisis."

Asks Georgia Secretary of State To Resolve Voting Problems Before Election Day

Today Georgia officials held a news conference at the State Capitol to shed light on problems at a polling station in Atlanta. About five voter registration terminals malfunctioned last night causing over 1000 people to be left in line waiting to vote at the Adamsville Recreation Center polling station, many of whom will not be able to vote. Lines in Georgia are again extremely long today. Georgia officials are asking the Secretary of State Karen Handel to resolve these problems before Tuesday and are encouraging an extension of early voting to ensure enfranchisement of Georgia citizens. Rep. John Lewis made this statement at the news conference:

In response to news reports yesterday that 1000 early voters in Atlanta were left waiting in the cold to cast their ballots last night, a news conference has been called this morning to address these concerns. Apparently, four or five terminals used to verify voter registration went down at the Adamsville Recreation Center on Martin Luther King Dr., SW in Atlanta at about 7:30 PM.