DNC Chairman Howard Dean on Voting Rights Act

DNC Chairman Howard Dean released the following statement after House Republicans stalled action on the renewal of the Voting Rights Act:

"Congressional Republicans should put aside partisan politics, reverse course, and renew the Voting Rights Act as soon as possible. The Voting Rights Act is one of the most significant civil rights bills ever enacted and while there has been tremendous progress made since its enactment in 1965, there is still much work to be done. The Voting Rights Act is an expression of the core values of our democracy: equality, nondiscrimination, fairness and ensuring full participation in our democracy.

"Democrats are committed to ensuring the full promise of the Voting Rights Act, that all eligible voters have the full ability to exercise their right to vote and have that vote counted. Just yesterday, the DNC convened a meeting with lawyers, scholars, and activists to continue our efforts to protect this essential right in 2006 and beyond. The renewal of the Voting Rights Act has broad bipartisan support and should not be held hostage by Congressional Republicans pandering to the far right of their party."