Civil Rights
In 1965, I marched from Selma to Montgomery with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. because I was inspired by his vision of racial equality and justice in America.
For a discussion of the Courts or Crime, head to the Justice page.
In 1965, I marched from Selma to Montgomery with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. because I was inspired by his vision of racial equality and justice in America. Almost half a century later, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial that proudly stands in Washington reminds us of his dream of a more perfect union, in which all people in America are not judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. While there is still room for improvement, our nation has taken momentous leaps in promoting civil rights and justice not only in our country, but also throughout the world.
As a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, ensuring equal opportunity and tolerance in our society is very important to me. I believe we should respect everybody regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, and sexual orientation.
As a lawyer and a U.S. Representative, I have fought to enhance the integrity and reliability of the democratic process, especially voter protection. Five decades after the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, many Americans are once again in danger of being disenfranchised. In 2013, the Supreme Court gutted parts of the Voting Rights Act, one of the most important pieces of legislation in our history, declaring it unconstitutional. Every single American must be entitled the opportunity to participate in the democratic franchise if we as a country are to fully and accurately express our collective decisions. This follows a push by 34 Republican-controlled state legislators to impose restrictive laws under the guise of preventing voter fraud.
These restrictions are far too reminiscent of the poll taxes and literacy tests from a darker period in our nation's history. In 1965, what started out as a march turned into a movement that ultimately cemented our fundamental right to vote. I will continue fighting to preserve civil liberties we guaranteed through our Constitution.
The first legislation President Barack Obama signed since taking office was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which makes sure all Americans receive equal pay for equal work. I applaud the President's commitment to expanding funding for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to ensure voting rights protection I was also proud to join my Democratic Colleagues in voting to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which prevented gay soldiers from serving openly. Along with three Democratic colleagues, I am advancing the bipartisan "Restore Honor to Service Members Act" in the House and Senate to assist thousands of service members in correcting their discharge records to protect their privacy, gain deserved benefits and prevent discrimination. Protecting and upholding civil rights laws are fundamental principles of the United States and I am dedicated to fighting for necessary measures that will help end discrimination based on one's identity.
Congressman Charles B. Rangel's Legislation:
H.R.12: Voter Empowerment Act of 2013
Voter Empowerment Act of 2013 - Voter Registration Modernization Act of 2013 - Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to require each state to make available official public websites for online voter registration. Authorizes automated voter registration of certain individuals and establishes other initiatives to promote voter registration, such as same day registration and voter registration of individuals under 18 years of age.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, H.R. 2965
Status: 12/22/2010 Became Public Law No: 111-321
I was proud to join my colleagues in ending the discriminatory law that previously barred open gay and lesbian soldiers from serving their country.
Congressional Gold Medal to Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley, H.R. 360 - (Co-sponsor)
Status: 5/24/2013 Became Public Law No: 113-11
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a congressional gold medal to commemorate the lives of Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley (children who lost their lives in the September 1963 bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, an incident recognized as a catalyst for the civil rights movement).
Voter Empowerment Act of 2013, H.R. 12
Status: 4/23/2013 Referred to House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training
Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) to require each state to make available official public websites for online voter registration. Authorizes automated voter registration of certain individuals and establishes other initiatives to promote voter registration, such as same day registration and voter registration of individuals under 18 years of age. Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter registration. Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) to establish requirements for states to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities.
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More on Civil Rights
NEW YORK, NY – Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement to mark Women’s Equality Day, a day that recognizes the 96th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, which enshrined women’s right to vote:
New York, NY — Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement commemorating the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act:
“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) remains one of our nation’s most comprehensive civil rights measures aimed at prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and local governmental services.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement in response to President Obama’s address in Dallas, TX:
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, emphasizes the importance of the 14th Amendment on the 148th Anniversary of its ratification.
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement in response to the shooting of Alton Sterling by officers of the Baton Rouge Police Department:
New York, NY – Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement celebrating landmark cases that helped affirm the rights of the LGBT community:
“Not long ago, our country denied LGBT couples the rights to marry, receive federal benefits, and serve their country. ‘Love is love’ has become a powerful expression in our nation, as we work towards inclusion of all people no matter their sex, gender, or sexual orientation.
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement marking the anniversary of the passage of Title IX:
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement in observance of National Juneteenth Independence Day, which is this Sunday, June 19, 2016.
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement in recognition of the annual National LGBT Pride Month:
New York, NY - Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement in recognition of Ramadan, a religious period observed in the ninth month of Islam’s lunar calendar:
