As We Mark the 50th Anniversary Let's Restore the Voting Rights Act

Today is the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act being signed into law. A week ago I joined with my Congressional colleagues to call for restoring the legislation to ensure that each and every eligible American has the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a monumental achievement that ensured Americans around the country had the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. This law was the culmination of many bloody years of activism on behalf of the African-American community and their allies. Today, I am privileged to serve alongside Congressman John Lewis -- a dear friend of mine who played a pivotal role in securing the right to vote.

This landmark anniversary also makes me think of two great African-American women who were exemplary leaders in Chicago and across our country. Rev. Willie Barrow was a bold leader for civil rights and Alice Tregay was a fighter who literally registered tens of thousands of voters over the years. Sadly, they both passed away earlier this year, but I am thankful for their friendship, and they continue to serve as a great inspiration.

Fifty years after the passage of this critically important law, the fight still continues. And in fact, some want to take us backward. Many states across the country are trying to make it harder for Americans to vote. To make matters worse, the Supreme Court's foolhardy decision in Shelby County v. Holder struck a blow to the Voting Rights Act at a time when many of the barriers it was crafted to remove still remain. I urge my colleagues to help pass legislation to restore the Voting Rights Act and to make sure that each and every eligible American has the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote.