Voting Rights Act renewal hearings coming this fall

[CatholicEdHead]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=53958

Contact: Jeff Lungren or Terry Shawn, 202-225-2492, both of the House Committee on the Judiciary, Web: http://judiciary.house.gov/

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-Wis.) today announced an extensive and detailed Committee examination of the Voting Rights Act will begin later this year, including plans for more than a half-dozen Committee hearings.

Chairman Sensenbrenner stated, "The Voting Rights Act has brought voting rights to millions of Americans previously denied their right to vote. While some sections of the law will not expire until 2007, I strongly believe now is the time for the Judiciary Committee to begin a thorough examination to reauthorize this critical legislation. Therefore, after extensive consultations with Ranking Member Conyers, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Watt, Constitution Subcommittee Chairman Chabot, Constitution Subcommittee Ranking Member Nadler, and many others, the Judiciary Committee will commence oversight hearings later this fall. This bipartisan effort should educate Members about the complex nuances of the Voting Rights Act and build a solid legislative record towards our goal of a long-term Voting Rights Act extension."

The following topics will be among the issues discussed during these hearings:

-- The history of the Voting Rights Act, including the 1970, 1975, 1982, and 1992 amendments.

-- Section 5's preclearance procedures and retrogression standard as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court.

-- Bilingual election assistance for language minorities under the Voting Rights Act.

-- The structure and operation of Section 4: trigger and bailout.

-- Litigation, compliance and enforcement of the Voting Rights Act.