Whoa. Hell freezes. Sensenbrenner calls for restoration of Voting Rights Act

[cali]

Never saw this coming. Never thought I'd see the day when I'd praise Sensenbrenner, but that day has come. This is actually a hopeful sign.

A leading House Republican is calling on Congress to update the Voting Rights Act just a day after the Supreme Court neutered its central provision.

Warning that "the threat of discrimination still exists," Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.) is urging lawmakers from both parties to cast aside partisanship and restore the law for the sake of protecting voters' rights.

"The Voting Rights Act is vital to America’s commitment to never again permit racial prejudices in the electoral process," Sensenbrenner, the second-ranked Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, said Wednesday in a statement.

"This is going to take time and will require members from both sides of the aisle to put partisan politics aside and ensure Americans’ most sacred right is protected."

<snip>

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/307989-gops-sensenbrenner-wants-update-of-voting-rights-act#ixzz2XMQNAqJn

[elleng]

1. elected in November, 1978. He has been reelected since 1980.

He knows how things SHOULD work.

[Scuba]

2. As a long-time Senselessbrenner watcher, I'm shocked.

[former9thward]

3. Like everything the devil is in the details.

[bluestate10]

4. Wise decision on his part.

With minorities expected to become an increasing majority by 2043, if not sooner, it is sane policy to establish voting as a right and make voting convenient. If Hispanics, in particular, continue to face discrimination when trying to vote, the ethnic groups that make up Hispanics are likely going to want vengeance. I hope that those groups are wise enough to know that denying basic rights like voting is a horrid path to take. Sensenbrenner likely sees the potential problem ahead if republicans continue to aggressively work to deny voting rights.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Twice in a month.

He also said the USPA is not being used correctly.

That is a good sign actually.

[Coyotl]

6. City of Milwaukee swings WI elections. This is self-serving and insincere at best

and likely just a false ploy because he knows the House will block it anyway.

[Enrique]

9. that would give him an incentive to kill the VRA

and anyway, Sensenbrenner's district is the heavily-white suburbs.

[postulater]

12. I was just gerrymandered OUT of his district after 25 years.

Now my rep is Gwen Moore, a huge improvement.

But Jim has the deep red suburbs covered - Mequon, Menomonee Falls, and Waukesha county.

[AlinPA]

7. So what does that mean? GOP to propose a "Defense of Voting" act that would prohibit minorities

from voting? He is a phony- don't trust him.

[BlueCheese]

8. A pleasant surprise.

I thought his comments on NSA surveillance were probably political opportunism, but this may actually be genuine.

The 2006 re-authorization passed with 398 votes in the House and 98 votes in the Senate, so maybe they'll get this done? Could our government actually work for a change?

[gulliver]

10. Pandering to Hispanics

We should use this opportunity to address gerrymandering and maybe weekend/early voting. The issue has been raised.

[Gothmog]

11. He led the fight in 2006 to renew this law

This man is not your typical republican on this issue

[pacalo]

13. I have to give him credit for this.

I've seen him play dirty in the past, but this is a major gesture to be supported.