Statement Of Sen. Patrick Leahy,
Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee,
Executive Business Meeting
Deceptive Practices And Voter Intimidation Prevention Act Of 2007
September 6, 2007 

With the cooperation of Members of the Committee on both sides of the aisle we can make real progress today and follow through on the promise of the important civil rights hearing we held yesterday with Congressman Lewis and other leaders in the effort to achieve equal justice for all.  

I had hoped last month to complete action on the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007, S.453.   I thank Senator Cardin for chairing our hearing on these important matters back on June 7^th.  We provided notice that the bill was on our business agenda back on July 19.  The measure was held over at our meeting in August, which brings us to today.  Despite the weeks and weeks of notice, amendments were not circulated until the hour of the deadline last night.  Indeed, one Senator circulated 19 amendments as the deadline approached.  I hope that we are not going to see another filibuster of an important bill by amendment. 

Yesterday, those who attended the civil rights hearing heard some of the most moving testimony ever spoken in this hearing room.  Congressman Lewis and Robert Moses were both riveting and right.  They spoke of the distance we still have to go to achieve equal justice and the need for legislation such as the bill we are considering today.  It is on the continuum from the Civil Rights Act of 1957 that we commemorated at our hearing.  I urge all Members of this Committee to move forward together in a bipartisan way on this legislation without further delay.  

This is an important measure introduced by Senator Obama and supported by a number of Members of this Committee, including Senator Feinstein, the Chair of the Rules Committee, the committee with which we share jurisdiction over voting matters.  Our bill would continue the march toward equal justice we spoke of yesterday by providing protections against the use of deceptive practices in elections, practices as we have seen during our hearing that are used to depress voting in minority communities and to intimidate minority voters.  There is no more fundamental right in our great democracy than the right to vote.  Unfortunately, the prevalence of deceptive campaign practices --which seek to undermine that fundamental right -- has continued.  Tactics have evolved to exploit gaps in current laws intended to protect Americans’ civil rights.    

At our June hearing chaired by Senator Cardin, we were graced with the presence of another longtime civil rights leader from Maryland, Senator Charles “Mac” Mathias.  I was privileged to serve with Senator Mathias on this Committee and he is a friend and inspiration to many of us.  Mac indicated his belief that this legislation fills the gap among existing laws and would serve to thwart modern attempts to suppress the participation of minority voters.   

At the outset of our debate on this bill, I will recognize Senator Schumer, a leading sponsor of the measure, to offer the substitute he has worked out with a number of Senators.  After it is adopted, the floor will be open to those who wish to offer further amendment.  I do regret that in the last seven weeks no one has come to Senator Schumer, Senator Cardin, Senator Obama or to me with any suggestions.  Still, I will protect the rights of all Senators and we will work diligently to complete action on this measure so that we can then turn to the many other items on the agenda.   

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