Rep. Jackson Lee Celebrates Recent SCOTUS Ruling on Voting

Texas Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D) took to Twitter to celebrate the recent Supreme Court ruling on voting laws in Alabama.

“The Shelby case destroyed voting rights, it took away from the work of our late and important civil rights icon John Lewis. It destroyed voting rights for the people of Alabama and became the precedent for destroying voting rights nationwide,” said Rep. Jackson Lee.

The ruling came as a surprise to many who thought that the court would affirm the congressional maps that were redrawn in 2020.

“Today, the Supreme Court gave dignity to itself by doing the right thing, by giving the right to representation to thousands of Alabamians. So many cases of voting discrimination did not prevail because of the Shelby case.”

 

Rep. Jackson Lee called for the Senate to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act.

“The bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights.”

Furthermore, political subdivisions must notify the public of changes and can face penalties for violations.

“This is a clarion call that the Supreme Court can and must fix injustices. Pass the Voting Rights Enhancement Act now!”

The Texas representative concluded her statements by thanking Rep. Terri Sewell for helping to protect the local Texas districts.

“Thank you @RepTerriSewell for all of your fight, thank you to the CBC for your fight, and thank you to my constituents in the 18th Congressional District who fought against gerrymandered maps here in Texas that destroyed our historic district.”

“My fight will always be for one person, one vote and more voting rights for the people of Houston and the people of Texas. And finally, More Civil Rights Justice must now come from the Supreme Court of the United States.”

In other news, Texas Senator John Cornyn (R) along with Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Ranking Member Bill Cassidy introduced the Streamlining Accountability and Value in Education (SAVE) for Students Act.

“Too many young Americans are saddled with student debt for college degrees that don't increase their earning potential. Today I joined my colleagues to discuss my bill to protect students and increase accountability,” tweeted Rep. Cornyn.

“My bill, the SAVE for Students Act, will: Streamline the loan repayment system, Prohibit federal loans from paying for degree programs that fail to increase the earning potential of graduates, [and] Save taxpayers nearly $50 billion”