Washington, D.C. – Congressman Al Green (TX-9) today spoke out in favor of the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) on the floor of the House of Representatives.  The VRA, which was established in 1965, provides protection to minority communities by prohibiting any voting practice that would abridge the right to vote on the basis of race and, specifically, abolished literacy and other tests which some states and local governments used to deny African Americans and other minorities the right to vote.  Some provisions of the VRA are set to expire next year if they are not renewed.

In his statement on the floor of the House of Representatives, Green stated:

“The Voting Rights Act has been and continues to be necessary.  In 1965, we had approximately 300 African Americans holding public office, now we have more than 9,100.  In 1965, only a hand-full of Latinos held public office, now we have more than 6,000.  In 1965, six Members of Congress were African American, now we have 43.”

Several of the key provisions of the VRA set to expire next year include Section 5, which requires covered jurisdictions to obtain “preclearance” from the Justice Department of the U.S. District Court in D.C. before they can change voting practices or procedures.  Other sections are set to expire include Section 5, which requires election officials to provide written and oral assistance for certain citizens who have limited English proficiency, and Section 6-9, which authorize the U.S. Attorney General to appoint examiners and send federal observers to monitor elections when there is evidence to suggest voter intimidation at the polls.  In his floor statement, Congressman Green referenced the election of State Representative Hubert Vo as an example of the continued need for the Voting Rights Act.

“Mr. Speaker, among the many beneficiaries of the Voting Rights Act is Hubert Vo.  Hubert Vo was born in Vietnam.  Hubert Vo cam to the United Sates at the age of 19 fleeing communism.  Hubert Vo graduated from the University of Houston.  But more importantly, Hubert Vo in 2004, became the very first Vietnamese American elected to the State House of Texas.  Hubert Vo was elected because the ballot in District 149 is in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.  Hubert Vo won by 16 votes.”

The House may vote on the reauthorization of the VRA as early as tomorrow.