Via commentor Rickyrah, from the MSNBC Politics/Nation blog, “Rep. John Lewis optimistic Congress will pass new Voting Rights Act”:
States have been swift to take action on new voter suppression measures in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that effectively gutted the Voting Rights. After less than two weeks, already six states have moved forward with new voter suppression measures, but that action has also inspired a renewed push for voting rights from the civil rights community in the wake of the Court’s decision, and few may be more passionate about the cause than John Lewis.
The Georgia congressman was a freedom rider who was beaten within an inch of his life as he marched in Selma, Ala., in support of voting rights for all Americans.
“I truly believe that what the Supreme Court did was to stab, to put that dagger deep in the heart of the Voting Rights Act of 1965,” he said on Saturday’s PoliticsNation from Essence Festival in New Orleans.
The decision to restore the provisions destroyed by the ruling now rests in the hands of Congress, and while some lawmakers in Washington have been uncertain if not outright pessimistic about the likelihood of passing the new legislation, Lewis has no such doubt.
“We’re coming together—both Democrats and Republicans—on the House side, and they will do the same thing on the Senate side,” he said. “And we’re going to pass another Voting Rights Act.”…
Heck, let them name it after Nelson Mandela, now that all the Reagantots are trying to pretend that the whole “Mandela is a Commie, and the ANC a notorious terrorist organization” stuff never happened. Good for Rep. Lewis, calling on his fellow Congresspersons to stand up for justice.
NickT
I hope, hope, hope John Lewis is right, but I really don’t see the teabaggers voting for anything that would stop their white supremacist shenanigans.
Bobby Thomson
Not gonna happen. Unlike the racists of the 1960s, these people can’t be shamed.
gbear
@NickT: Well lets make the teabaggers stand up for their white supremacy. I hope Lewis is right too.
JWL
Lewis obviously scored some powerful cannabis. He’s dreaming.
PsiFighter37
My post-alcohol-imbibing farts also smell like rainbows flavored with sugar, also, too.
The VRA is dead, long live the VRA, and let’s watch the we’re totally not poll-taxing racists totally NOT abuse the spirit of VRA, AMIRIGHT! Because times have fucking CHANGED!!!1111
PF37 +blazed
NickT
@gbear:
Right. Put them on the record every day. This needs to be hung around their necks until they beg to be allowed to vote for a newer, stronger VRA.
Citizen_X
@JWL: Or he recognizes one hell of a wedge issue.
NickT
I wonder when Glenn Greenwald is going to say something on this topic.
Or Andrew Sullivan, for that matter.
geg6
Jeebus, I love that man but is he delusional? No way does a GOP House pass a new VRA. The only good that could come of it would be to make all come out and publicly own their bigotry for all the world to see. But they are at the point that they don’t care any more. He’ll, all that talk about just needing more white people to totally WIN!11! tells you all you need to know about how far around the bend they’ve gone, deep into neo-Confederate fantasy land.
WereBear
True. One of the problems is how they get away with their crap. Let them be loud and proud about their voter suppression!
PsiFighter37
@Citizen_X: I apologize ahead for being a drunk asshole, but there is no way that independent, I GOT MINE NOW GO FUCK YOURSELVES voters who dominate in the idiot America suburbia (/green day reference, before they started sucking ass again) will give 2 shits about this. As long as they can go in with no wait, punch their ballot for Democrats (until Republicans stop being rabidly anti-choice and anti-gay marriage), they will not give two stinking, smelling, pico de gallo-infused shits about voting rights.
Emerald
@Citizen_X:
Bingo.
I have full faith that the black community knows how to fight this shit. This ain’t their first rodeo.
Plus, the racists really do believe their racist shit, thus causing them, every time, to fatally underestimate the knowledge, skill and power of the black community.
Let the rest of us join in with vigor, but let the folks who know what they’re doing lead the fight.
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@efgoldman: I don’t think they need any ectomies. They are congenitally shameless and empathy deficient.
JPL
@geg6: haha.. I can hear MSM now talking about voter fraud and ignoring the right to vote.
PeakVT
Worth a try for a number of reasons.
eemom
Check out this photo of Reps Lewis and Conyers the day that reeking rot of a decision came down. If any of those 5 possessed a shred of conscience, which of course they don’t, it would haunt them to their dying day.
Along similar lines, I think it’s effing brilliant of Lewis to do this, i.e., behave as though he assumes his republitard colleagues are something OTHER than the conscienceless, win at any cost thugs they are.
gbear
I wonder if anyone has ever punched Rand Paul?
NickT
@gbear:
The answer is: not enough people.
Violet
@gbear:
Yep. If the Republicans can vote to repeal Obamacare 37 times (or is it more now?), the Democrats can certainly put forth a new Voting Rights Act over and over again. Make them vote against it.
gbear
@Violet: It’s something worth keeping optimistic about rather than giving up before even trying to push it through. I may make some phone calls this week.
NickT
@Violet:
Offer them a VRA which includes the mandatory free provision of a state and national voter ID for all American citizens good until life’s end and for all states in the union. If that doesn’t make conservatives screech, nothing will.
YellowJournalism
@Violet: I like this idea. Except, when the Sems do it, they’ll be accused in the MSM of getting nothing done.
MikeJ
@NickT:
And introduce it as S. 666.
Violet
@gbear: Phone calls are a good idea!
@NickT: Love it! Yes, get something in there about a national voter ID. Make them own that part.
@YellowJournalism: Dems will be accused of that no matter what they do. Might as well make the Republicans own their racism.
PeakVT
@efgoldman: The Senate can always send a bill over, though of course with the motherfracking filibuster still in place (thanks, Democratic fossils) that might not be possible. But you’re right that no bill originating in the House will get a vote on the floor or in committee.
ETA: Actually, since the House Repukes are so horrid these days, they might craft a bill with a giant poison pill in it, and make the Dems go on the record against a voting “rights” act.
Violet
As of now, Dems are still in charge of the Senate. Could be done there.
Edit: We all know it’s just for show at the moment. So put on the show. Make them own their racism.
NickT
@Violet:
Call it the American Liberty Act or something similar – and make the GOP vote against it.
lockewasright
@Citizen_X: Bingo! We have a winner!
Citizen_X
@PsiFighter37:
Maybe, but I figure that 23% of voters (50% – the hardcore 27%) are “soft” GOP voters–that is, they vote GOP because Dad did, or reflexive hippie punching, or whatever. Every percentage point that gets shaved off of that number is a step towards the eventual death of the GOP. So I’ll take every little bit.
NickT
@efgoldman:
Vote for the same bill in the Senate every day – and make it clear that the House are refusing Americans their voting rights. Refuse to conduct any business until the House passes the unamended bill. That ought to get even our intellectually stunted media interested.
PeakVT
@efgoldman: No. Either chamber can originate bills and send them across the building, but nothing in the Constitution requires a vote. I think a half-finish product used to be able to shame the other chamber into action on occasion. But now that the Repukes are shame-free…
@NickT: That’s a nice idea, but the Senate is and will be constipated until such time the fossils decide to ditch the filibuster.
burnspbesq
The House isn’t going to do the right thing for the sake of doing the right thing.
Make it clear to your Congresscritter that failure to do the right thing will have consequences.
drkrick
There’s a considerable fraction of the Independent I Got Mine Pico de Gallo folk who understand that this stuff makes it less likely their Dem vote will be for a winner. Some of them can be convinced to act accordingly.
NickT
@efgoldman:
I very much doubt even Yertel would dare to filibuster this bill – and certainly not every day. Construct a good, clear, easy to understand bill, talk about how the right to vote is the basis of political rights and liberty – and force the GOP to say publicly that they are against clean elections and a valid form of ID being made available to voters for free. Rinse and repeat. If you need to, go nuclear on the filibuster and make it clear that McConnell forced you to do it.
PsiFighter37
@Citizen_X: It’s not enough
Violet
@NickT:
One easy one for the Republicans to “death panel” in your suggestion would be this one. It won’t be free to provide everyone a form of ID. It has to be paid for somehow. And if it’s a national ID, then OMG! National ID! Government tracking you! Etc.
rikyrah
@gbear:
Amen
NickT
@efgoldman:
I think you overestimate the political courage of the GOP senators. I very much doubt that they could sustain a filibuster – and they would much rather leave such matters to their little buddies in the House anyway.
Ruckus
@eemom:
How’s the work again? Sign them up for something they don’t want to do, tell everyone about it then let them back out and look like the assholes they are. Brilliant. It’s a win-win for Lewis, and a lose-lose for the confederates.
Cacti
@NickT:
Sullivan might say that black people are dumb.
Greenwald’s only interest in civil rights involved the “right” of white supremacists to threaten federal judges and people of color.
Kay
I’m thrilled he’s the lead in Congress on this. There is probably no one alive who knows more about smart and effective advocacy on voting rights than this person.
Who do you think should lead the voting rights opposition? I nominate John Boehner, but maybe they’re drawing straws :)
MattR
So what do you think SCOTUS would do if Congress passed new legislation reaffirming their belief that the criteria used in Section 4 (specifically whether a state had a method to restrict voting on Nov 1 1964) were still appropriate today?
I also wish more coverage of this issue would discuss the fact that there was a “bail out” option and that any time after 1984, any county could be taken off the preclearance list if they could prove that they have behaved well over the past 10 years with respect to voting rights and that they have taken steps to improve the voting experience for minorities (less harrassment or intimidation, easier to register and place your vote). There are a few hoops to jump through but it can, and has, been done if you are willing to make a good faith effort. IMO that means that anyone still on the list from 1965 should be there. The bail out process gave them a chance to prove they had changed at any point over the last 30 years so I see their failure to take advantage of that as proof that they still cannot be trusted and need to be monitored.
NickT
@Violet:
Not that easy. They’ve been ranting about illegals voting, dead people voting and all sorts of other fantasies. It might be harder for them to come up with objections to a way of ensuring honest voting than you think. That said, you could use the national free ID as a sacrifice – give them something to reject if it lets the key part of the bill get through.
Botsplainer
Watching Swarzenegger doing “Last Stand”. It’s actually decent – not as much of a cartoon.
Kay
@MattR:
There was so.much bullshit and bad faith involved in that decision that it’s hard to decide what to focus on.
How about this? Some states changed their position on the “onerous burden” preclearance posed between 2009 and 2011.
In 2009 it was a small and manageable regulatory burden. That’s what they submitted to the lower court.
By 2011 they SWITCHED SIDES, and it became huge and onerous and it had to be overturned.
Helen
I have a simple solution. I think. The SC said that the problem was the method by which it was determined which states had to get permission to change their voting laws and they threw it back to the congress to come up with a “fairer” method that comports to today’s realities.
So here’s what we do. Make EVERY SINGLE state request permission to change their voting laws. There. We are no longer targeting the South “unfairly”
Call it the “Eliminating voter fraud act” and the baggers will be for it in a second.
Voila’ Problem solved.
Kay
@MattR:
I like the “bail in” lawsuit out of Texas, because a 3 judge panel already found Texas intentionally discriminated.
Can you imagine the screeching that will follow if they get bailed IN?
It has happened! Arkansas and New Mexico got bailed in. The Arkansas case is “(voters name) v Clinton. I think Bill Clinton was the AG or governor, one.
MattR
@Kay: I’m guessing in 2009 they hadn’t fully grasped how fucked the GOP was nationally if the growing minority population was allowed to vote.
This shit makes my blood boil. Unfortunately I have a feeling that far too many of my neighbors fit PsiFighter37 description and don’t give two thoughts to the issue since they only have to go to the “clubhouse” of our condo complex where there is never any wait. That is just speculation though, It is kinda hard to introduce voting rights into casual conversation.
Kay
@MattR:
I would have said the same in 2006 or even 2009, but it really shifted after 2011.
We passed a petition to stay Ohio’s latest voting restrictions along with the petitions to overturn the repeal.of collective bargaining. Just smooth sailing. The appeal was very simple: you will lose if a portion of our eligible voters can’t vote.
EVERYONE signed.
I’m actually pleased at how much media attention it’s getting.
Kay
@MattR:
I’d watch North Carolina. Voting rights are a big part of the Moral Mondays protests. They’re protesting, sure, but they’re also educating voters and organizing at the same time.
You really need it all; a leader in Congress, in statehouses, lawsuits and organizers. Lewis just one piece. He’s in the House so.of course his role is in Congress, but he’s also an incredibly good national advocate.
MattR
@Kay: That would be fun.
If I undertand correctly, the recent SCOTUS decision did not affect any of the jurisdictions that had been previously bailed in. They all still require preclearance.
@Kay: I hope you are right, but I fear that the media attention and voter outcry are local to areas where there are active attempts to subvert the vote. That is obviously great, but to pass new legislation that effort has to become national (and Rep Lewis’s comments are part of that process)
@Kay: Or maybe my previous comment is BS. If there is enough activism in Republican leaning swing states like NC to flip their reps, you may not need other moderate reps from areas like my red district in NJ or upstate NY where voters may be apathetic to the issue.
FlyingToaster
@Helen: This has been my position since the Supremes granted cert. Get rid of the targeted counties. Make EVERY change in voting go through the process, every county &/or state.
Note: Not only will it not target the South™, but it will prevent antics in places like Pennsyltucky and New Hamster. Honestly, how fucking hard can it be to say, “well, the courts think we’re picking on Shelby County et al, so we’ll stop doing that. EVERYONE can come jump through the hoop!”
I’m beginning to think we need FEMA camps staffed with 100,000 licensed psychiatrists and therapists before our country implodes from the negative pressure of stupid.
FlyingToaster+3
Cygil
It’s a no brainer. Pass it in the senate and let the republicans vote against it. Tip their hand. The republicans practice wedge politics so often, why don’t the dems?
Kay
@MattR:
It’s just that with voting, even if they don’t flip their reps it doesn’t matter. Every day they’re out there they’re drawing attention to barriers to voting, and reaching the people they need to reach. Even if they don’t succeed in changing the law, voting is one of those things where organizing really matters.
Just don’t get discouraged. The laws are only part of it. It’s great if they’re BETTER but it’s not an insurmountable obstacle if they’re not. NC curtailed early voting. That’s like waving a red flag in front of voting rights people, it’s so CLEARLY directed at the huge SUCCESS of early voting. Who the hell gets in the way of Souls to the Polls? It’s just vicious. Really? You’re going to block the church bus now, Republicans?
gene108
@Cygil:
You need to be focused on your talking point du jour to make wedge politics works and be able to carpet bomb the message across the media day-in and day-out.
Dems in politics and more importantly Democratic supporters, who are not government officials, have a helluva time maintaining message discipline; they will wander from a simple talking point – ‘x’ good, ‘y’ bad – to some long winded explanation of why ‘x’ good and ‘y’ bad or worse yet, come up with some contrarian reason why ‘y’ is not always bad.
And the Dems don’t have the media access Republicans have to saturate the airwaves with the same talking point over and over again.
Also, too there are plenty of issues Dem voters feel are a good idea, but they sure as hell aren’t going to bust a nut if the minimum wage isn’t raised or background checks of gun purchases aren’t expanded in the same way right-wingers will get off their butts and go to the polls to ban abortion and contraception or fight against any form of gun control.
Tone in DC
LULz. Like being at the bottom of the Marianas Trench, just dry.
Frankensteinbeck
@NickT:
I’m way too late to this thread, but I’ll post this just to put it on record: McConnell is Kentucky’s senator. Loudly and publicly opposing the Voting Right’s Act would ensure his reelection here.