Reps. Mo Brooks and Barry Moore vowed to vote against H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Introduced by Alabama’s own Terri Sewell, the Act passed the House yesterday with no Republican support. Alabama Congressmen all voted Nay, except for Sewell. The bill now moves to the Senate, where it’s unlikely to pass. Democrats do not have enough votes to overcome the opposition from Senate Republicans who claim the bill is “unnecessary.”
The bill seeks to restore a key provision of the federal law that compelled states with a history of discrimination to undergo a federal review of changes to voting and elections. The Supreme Court set aside the formula that decided which jurisdictions were subject to the requirement in a 2013 decision and weakened the law further in a ruling this summer, reported the Associated Press.
In a press release, Brooks stated, “The Socialist Democrats were dealt a blow when the Senate voted down H.R 1, the ‘Socialist Democrat Election Fraud Enhancement Act.’ Now, they seek to again undermine America’s election systems with H.R. 4, a bill that eliminates state safeguards that protect honest and accurate elections.”
On Twitter, Brooks commented, “I will vote against H.R. 4 because much like H.R. 1, it undermines America’s Republic and effectively turns our election results into what we so often see in North Korea, the old Soviet Union, Venezuela and any number of other pretend republics.”
Rep. Moore said in a press release, “After failing to federalize our elections through H.R. 1, Pelosi’s deceitful sequel is yet another unconstitutional power grab intended to keep Democrats in power. Despite being named after a Civil Rights icon, the title only serves as a guise to hide Democrats’ true intentions of centralizing election power with the federal government. I cannot support this delusional attack on democracy, but I remain committed to strengthening election integrity for all Americans.”
Sewell commented on Twitter, “This is my fourth time introducing a version of the Voting Rights Advancement Act but my first time doing it without John. As I cast my vote for #HR4 later today, I’ll be thinking of John. I know he’ll be watching over us as we get into #GoodTrouble and carry on his legacy.”
On Wednesday, Brooks posted on Twitter, “Socialist Democrats seek to undermine America’s election systems with HR4, a bill that eliminates state safeguards that protect honest and accurate elections. I’m glad to stand with @RepBarryMoore and the rest of the Alabama delegation in opposing it.”
