WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Melvin Watt (D-NC) issued the following statement in response to the withdrawal of the Voting Rights Act:

 

“We are extremely disappointed that the Voting Rights Act was pulled from today’s legislative calendar. We have worked extremely hard over a number of months to reach bipartisan and bicameral agreement on this legislation and had reason to believe it would be considered expeditiously. The Voting Rights Act has always had strong support from Democrats and Republicans alike. We fear that pulling the bill could send the wrong message about whether the bill enjoys broad bipartisan support and that delaying consideration until after the July 4 recess could give those with partisan intensions space and time to politicize the issue.”