December 4, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 193 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H9247]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             VOTING RIGHTS

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the passage of the 
Voting Rights Advancement Act, H.R. 4.
  This crucial legislation would give more power to the historic Voting 
Rights Act of 1965. That law protected the right to vote for all 
Americans, particularly Americans of color. It gave a strong voice to 
the voiceless. And when those Americans spoke, they created a more 
diverse Congress. Clearly, we are all better for it.
  But, slowly, certain State governments have tried to hinder the 
voting rights of minorities. They call it something else, but that is 
what they want to do. That is why we need this bill to become law.
  We need the government to provide oversight if States are guilty of 
too many voting rights violations. We need to protect the right to vote 
for all Americans because, for too many of us, the power of the vote is 
the only power we have.

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