Washington, D.C. – Congressman G.K. Butterfield said he is very disappointed with the latest delay in bringing reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act up for a vote in the House.
“The House Judiciary Committee held 12 hearings on the legislation,” Butterfield said “Such a period provided more than ample opportunity for House members to review the issue and make their views known. Given how important this is and that it has broad bi-partisan support, it’s very disappointing for this bill to be pulled from consideration.”
Republicans pulled the legislation from consideration on the House floor this week just hours before a planned vote, saying that it was intended to offer members the time needed to evaluate the legislation. Georgian Reps. Lynn A. Westmoreland and Charles Norwood have been among the most vocal opponents of renewing the measure as it stands.
There have been complaints that the Voting Rights Act unfairly singles out nine southern states by requiring that they print ballots in the primary language of minority communities.
Butterfield said that Westmoreland and Norwood offered amendments to the measure that would have “gutted” the legislation and allowed the country to slide back from the progress that has been made over the past 41 years. He also said that he was prepared to make remarks on the floor during debate on the bill.
“America has made strides toward ensuring the protection of every American’s right to vote and the Voting Rights Act is a cornerstone of that progress,” Butterfield said. “To weaken or delay reauthorization of this important and historic legislation expresses the willingness to step back in time.”
Butterfield offered his congratulations to House Judiciary Chairman James F. Sensenbrenner Jr. for his work in bringing the legislation forward that was acceptable to a vast majority of members.
“The longer this legislation sits without action, the better chance this careful and broad compromise is picked apart by politics,” Butterfield said
Earlier this month, Butterfield sent a written request to House Majority Leader John A. Boehner urging that the bi-partisan legislation be promptly scheduled for a House vote.