|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Voting Rights Act has passionate, strong advocate in Sensenbrenner
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Candidate
|
| Contributor | Penguin |
| Last Edited | Penguin Apr 20, 2009 12:23am |
| Logged |
1
[Older]
|
| Category | General |
| Media | Newspaper - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |
| News Date | Saturday, April 18, 2009 06:00:00 AM UTC0:0 |
| Description | Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner counts two pens among his most cherished keepsakes of his more than 30 years in Congress. One was used by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 to sign into law an extension of the Voting Rights Act for 25 years; the other used by President George W. Bush in 2006 to renew the law for another quarter-century.
The pens, which the two U.S. presidents gave to Sensenbrenner in recognition of his leadership on the legislation, are prominently displayed in his congressional office. They're symbols of what he considers among his proudest accomplishments in his political career.
Now the Supreme Court could severely weaken the election protections that Sensenbrenner has fought so hard to maintain over the years. The court is set to hear oral arguments this month on a case challenging a key section of the Voting Rights Act, which was enacted in 1965 to fight against racist policies in the South that often kept blacks from voting.
At issue: a clause that requires nine states and parts of seven others to obtain Justice Department approval before changing their electoral practices. Sensenbrenner, who fended off criticism by fellow Republicans for his unswerving support of the act, argues that the requirement still is needed to ensure the voting rights of minorities.
But lawyers for a local utility district in Texas, which is challenging the provision as unconstitutional, say the requirement is a relic of the past in a country that just elected Barack Obama as its first black president. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
