Date: 2002-10-10
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I want to use this minute to say that I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio . whom I visited the very first day of the session to talk about this. and the gentleman from Maryland . who stayed the course. and Senator DODD and the Senate who led the deliberations in the Senate. There was such an overwhelming outcry from this Nation and internationally that came to the Black Caucus after January 6. 2001. that we knew we had to act. [ 2130 This became the number one priority for the Congressional Black Caucus to do something about election reform. The faith in the system had gone. Today hopefully it will start to restore it. This is not to say this is a perfect bill. but it is to say that it is a major. major step in the right direction. and we hope that the President will keep his word to me. He made it a public statement when he said he will support it. and he would see that the money would be in the budget. We appreciate it. and. Mr. Speaker. this is the civil rights bill of the new millennium. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 3295. a bill that will restore integrity to our nations voting system. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker. today is a proud day for the Congressional Black Caucus. Throughout this Congress. election reform has been our number one legislative priority. On January 6. 2001. our Members walked out of this chamber to protest the voting irregularities and intimidation that resulted in a President who was appointed by the Supreme Court. rather than elected by the people. We said we would not rest until the right to vote of every American was protected. Mr. Speaker. I am proud to say that after 21 months of floor speeches and field hearings. we are very. very close to delivering on our word. Now. this legislation is not perfect. But it is a tremendous -step forward. And. with the 2002 elections just a mere 26 days away. and the 2004 elections on the horizon. its time to move the ball down the field. Its time to implement the centralized voter registration and standardized balloting called for by this bill. Its time that we fund training and technical assistance programs to educate poll workers and replace faulty voting machinery. And its time to implement provisional balloting. so that no voter will get turned away from the polls if their eligibility is challenged. These provisions will all go a long way toward correcting the disenfranchisement that we witnessed in 2000. However. because I believe that these regulations should be enacted quickly. I am concemed that this legislation gives states waivers to push back their deadlines for many of these protections. I am also troubled that this legislation authorizes funding for these programs without appropriating the $3.9 billion dollars that they will require. Lastly. for far too long. we have seen voting regulations corrupted and used to deny the votes of millions of people. especially people of color. We must remain vigilant that the voter protections in this legislation are implemented evenly and effectively. And we must ensure that they are enforced with the full weight of our justice system Our work is cut out for us. It is easy to see that this legislation is really only the beginning. But it is a good beginning. Now. I must thank the Members of the Conference Committee from both Chambers for working many. many late nights to complete their work on this legislation. In particular. I would like to thank the gentleman from Maryland. Mr. HOYER. who has been battling to extend these important protections to our nations voters. I would also like to commend Chairman NEY for his work in helping reach this compromise. Finally. let me thank the Members of the Congressional Black Caucus for their extraordinary work. In particular. I must commend the gentleman from Michigan. Mr. CONYERS. for his leadership in coauthorizing one of the original House election reform bills and for working to ensure that this bill became a reality. As I conclude. let me remind my colleagues: The time to improve our elections system is now. We must make sure all Americans can register to vote. remain on the rolls once registered. vote free from harassment. and have those votes counted. I believe that this bill achieves those goals. I call upon my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation today. Mr. Speaker. we must act before another day has passed.