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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Congressional Hearing on Voting Rights Authority

Original title: CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY TO PROTECT VOTING RIGHTS AFTER SHELBY COUNTY V. HOLDER

January 1, 2020

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing explored the legal framework for potential federal legislation that could change how states manage election laws and voting procedures nationwide.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Voters

Any future federal legislation resulting from these discussions could change voting procedures and election oversight in their jurisdictions.

State Election Officials

Changes to federal voting rights law would alter the requirements and oversight mechanisms for state-run elections.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2020.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties held a hearing on September 24, 2019, to examine Congress's power to protect voting rights following the Supreme Court's decision in . The session included testimony from legal experts and former government officials regarding legislative options for federal oversight of election practices.

Key Facts

  • The hearing took place on September 24, 2019, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
  • The primary subject was the scope of Congressional authority to regulate voting rights after the 2013 Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v. Holder.
  • Six expert witnesses provided oral and written testimony regarding constitutional interpretations and voting rights policy.
  • The hearing was conducted by the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties of the House Judiciary Committee.
  • The record includes supplemental items submitted by Sheila Jackson Lee and Michael T. Morley.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?
To discuss how Congress can legally protect voting rights in light of the Supreme Court's decision in , which struck down parts of the Voting Rights Act.
Who testified at the hearing?
The witnesses included legal scholars Justin Levitt, Franita Tolson, and Michael T. Morley, as well as Debo P. Adegbile, former DOJ official Joe Rich, and attorney Kira Romero-Craft.

Why It Matters

This hearing explored the legal framework for potential federal legislation that could change how states manage election laws and voting procedures nationwide.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Post-Shelby Legislative Inquiry

The hearing demonstrates a formal legislative effort to re-establish federal oversight mechanisms following the 2013 Supreme Court ruling.

Connected Entities

personDebo P. AdegbileWitnessMap →
personKira Romero-CraftWitness, Managing Attorney at Latino JusticeMap →
personJamie RaskinPresiding Chair of the SubcommitteeMap →
personFranita TolsonWitness, Professor of LawMap →
personJoe RichWitness, Former Chief of Voting Section at DOJMap →
personJustin LevittWitness, Professor of LawMap →
personMike JohnsonRanking Member of the SubcommitteeMap →
personMichael T. MorleyWitness, Professor of LawMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance75
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy60
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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