Garland calls on Congress to act on voting rights in editorial

Attorney General Merrick garlandMerrick Garland Garland calls on Congress to act on voting rights in editorial ACLU calls on DOJ to put in place permanent protections for journalists covering protests DOJ launches investigation into Phoenix Police Department MORE calls on Congress to act quickly on voting rights legislation as the nation marks the 56th anniversary of the voting rights law.

“Our society is shaped not only by the rights it declares, but also by its desire to protect and uphold those rights. Nowhere is this clearer than in the area of ​​voting rights, ”Garland said in an editorial Thursday in the Washington Post.

He pointed to the fact that the Voting Rights Act has helped prevent states and communities from trying to pass thousands of discriminatory rules that could have deprived millions of Americans of their rights.

He highlighted in particular the “preclearance” clause of the legislation, which required regions which used to implement discriminatory policies with regard to voting rights to prove that the proposed new legislation was not. racially discriminatory. The clause was severely compromised by a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.

“Without this authority, the Department of Justice has not been able to stop discriminatory practices before they occur. Instead, the Department of Justice was left with expensive and time-consuming tools that have many loopholes that plagued federal law before 1965, ”Garland said.

“Despite these setbacks, the Justice Department is using all of its current legal authorities to fight a new wave of restrictive election laws. place, “he added.

More than once the Attorney General has mentioned the late Rep. John lewisJohn Lewis Garland calls on Congress to act on voting rights in editorial House Democrats push to introduce John Lewis’ voting rights bill in weeks (D-Ga.), After which Democrats named one of two pieces of legislation designed to protect voting rights and enjoying White House support: the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Lewis recalled an important lesson taught by Martin Luther King Jr.: ‘Each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak out and speak out. When you see something wrong, you must say something. You have to do something, ‘”he said.

Garland’s comments come as a growing number of states have enacted new legislation that restricts access to the ballot boxes following the 2020 election.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, between January 1 and July 14, 30 laws were passed in 18 states that restrict access to voting, including stricter identification requirements and making postal and early voting more hard.

In June, Garland’s Justice Department sued one of those states, Georgia, alleging “that recent changes to Georgia’s electoral laws were enacted in an attempt to deny or restrict the right vote of black Georgians ”.

Several Democratic senators, including Amy KlobucharAmy Klobuchar Garland calls on Congress to act on voting rights in editorial Biden signs bill awarding Congress gold medal to Jan. 6 officers Senate Democrats unveil bill to protect election officials and prevent electoral subversion (Minnesota.) Raphael WarnockRaphael Warnock Garland calls on Congress to act on voting rights in a forum Senate Democrats unveil bill to protect election officials and prevent election subversion (Ga.) And Joe manchinJoe Manchin Biparty Infrastructure Bill Gives Taxpayers Value for Money Garland Calls on Congress to Act on Voting Rights in Editorial Democrats Press to Introduce Voting Rights Bill John Lewis in a few weeks MORE (W.Va.), are working to negotiate a reduced voting rights bill before a self-imposed deadline in August.

Majority leader in the Senate Charles schumerChuck Schumer Lawmakers must also act as community organizers In praise of persistent bipartisanship by Susan Collins Senate should postpone recess until it acts on voting rights MORE (DN.Y.) left the door open to a forced vote on the new measure before the chamber left for vacation in August, Democratic senators said. However, it is likely to meet the same fate as the For the People Act, which authorized the Democratic-controlled House in March but was blocked by Republicans in the Senate.

“On this anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, we must reiterate that it is not fair to put up barriers that make it harder for millions of eligible Americans to vote. And it is time for Congress to act again to protect this fundamental right, “he added. Garland said.

—Jordain Carney contributed.