CASTRO STATEMENT ON DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCEMENT TO CHALLENGE CHANGES TO VOTER RIGHTS IN TEXAS

Washington, D.C. – Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released this statement following the announcement by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder that the U.S Department of Justice will challenge changes to voter rights laws in Texas:

 

“I applaud the Department of Justice’s proactive actions to stop the enactment of laws that have already been determined to be discriminatory in Texas. There are three key values that make America exceptional among the nations of the world:  freedom, democracy, and opportunity.  When we stop defending any one of these we betray all of the patriots who have given their lives to make our nation a more perfect union. Unfortunately, the Texas Legislature has put Texas in a place where we need oversight for clear attacks on voters' rights. We must continue to protect the basic right to choose our elected officials guaranteed by our American Constitution.

 

Today’s decision by the Department of Justice upholds the rights of all Texans to cast their vote freely.  This decision also gives Congress time to come to a consensus over how to move forward and ensure that no American is subject to the narrow and discriminatory agenda of partisan politicians. Congressional gridlock must not set back the clock on years of progress. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, my freshman colleagues and I have already started to have conversations to come together so that all Americans have the freedom to be full participants of our democracy. As a representative from the great state of Texas, I look forward to working with the Department of Justice in any way necessary to protect every American’s right to vote.”