Rep. Lynn Westmoreland offered a similar amendment to the one offered by Rep. Norwood.
In recent months, we have seen reports in the Washington Post that the career staffers of the USDOJ have had their recommendations regarding Voter ID in Georgia and redistricting in Texas overridden by political appointees of the Bush administration.
So, why is it important to renew the VRA, to reauthorize a process that's not being properly implemented?
"You have to keep in mind this Department of Justice and administration will not be around forever. You have the career people. This administration will override the career people [but...] in the years to come, people will be fairminded by the letter and the spirit of the law," Rep. Lewis said.
Last night, the US House defeated an amendment which would have stripped the VRA of requiring funds for the USDOJ to ensure multilingual ballots and multilingual elections assistance, Rep. Lewis told Atlanta Progressive News.
"I call that a modern day literacy test," Rep. Lewis said, adding it was voted down by all Democrats plus 61 Republicans.
Yet, "we see these ballot referendums with double negatives and college professors can't understand them," Rep. Lewis said.
Rep. King of Iowa had wanted to offer a similar amendment to HR 9, but debate was limited to the Westmoreland and Norwood amendments according to H Res 890. This limitation caused some Republicans to be upset, according to some media reports.
However, Rep. Stearns (R-FL) had forced debate on the language issue by attaching it to an appropriations bill.
Rep. Lewis said that Westmoreland and Norwood's amendments have not come to a full US House vote because a majority of Republicans did not show up for a Caucus meeting to discuss the issues beforehand.
A lot of the current debate regarding the VRA actually has to do with immigration, Rep. Lewis noted.
"There's an attempt to turn to the question of immigration, but no one is saying that. We [lawmakers] get concerned about the infusion of thousands of voters coming into a Congressional district," Rep. Lewis said.
About the author:
Matthew Cardinale is the News Editor and a National Correspondent for Atlanta Progressive News and may be reached at matthew@atlantaprogressivenews.com
Syndication policy:
This article may be reprinted in full at no cost where Atlanta Progressive News is credited.
In recent months, we have seen reports in the Washington Post that the career staffers of the USDOJ have had their recommendations regarding Voter ID in Georgia and redistricting in Texas overridden by political appointees of the Bush administration.
So, why is it important to renew the VRA, to reauthorize a process that's not being properly implemented?
"You have to keep in mind this Department of Justice and administration will not be around forever. You have the career people. This administration will override the career people [but...] in the years to come, people will be fairminded by the letter and the spirit of the law," Rep. Lewis said.
"I call that a modern day literacy test," Rep. Lewis said, adding it was voted down by all Democrats plus 61 Republicans.
Yet, "we see these ballot referendums with double negatives and college professors can't understand them," Rep. Lewis said.
Rep. King of Iowa had wanted to offer a similar amendment to HR 9, but debate was limited to the Westmoreland and Norwood amendments according to H Res 890. This limitation caused some Republicans to be upset, according to some media reports.
However, Rep. Stearns (R-FL) had forced debate on the language issue by attaching it to an appropriations bill.
Rep. Lewis said that Westmoreland and Norwood's amendments have not come to a full US House vote because a majority of Republicans did not show up for a Caucus meeting to discuss the issues beforehand.
A lot of the current debate regarding the VRA actually has to do with immigration, Rep. Lewis noted.
"There's an attempt to turn to the question of immigration, but no one is saying that. We [lawmakers] get concerned about the infusion of thousands of voters coming into a Congressional district," Rep. Lewis said.
About the author:
Matthew Cardinale is the News Editor and a National Correspondent for Atlanta Progressive News and may be reached at matthew@atlantaprogressivenews.com
Syndication policy:
This article may be reprinted in full at no cost where Atlanta Progressive News is credited.
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