Floor Statements

Let me thank my colleague who comes down to this floor every week. I know what it's like. I thank you for being the anchor for the CBC hour.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the covert voter suppression effort under way in the United States of America. This effort might have begun as a stealth operation, but my colleagues, organizations across the Nation, and I will ensure that Americans are informed and protected, such that voters are well prepared for the gimmicks under way to keep them from casting their ballots in 2012.

During 2011, 34 States introduced legislation that would require voters to show a photo ID to cast a ballot. Approximately 13 States introduced bills to end Election Day and same-day voter registration. As many as nine States introduced bills to reduce early voting, and four States proposed draconian reductions in absentee voting opportunities. Two States took steps backward by reversing prior executive actions that make it easier for citizens with past felony convictions to restore their voting rights.

For many years, America has been described as a beacon of light for the world; the model of democracy and the home of fair elections. As a Nation, we have always rejected voter intimidation at polling places in foreign nations. We frown upon nations that limit the right of its citizens to vote. Yet we now face the same issues that fall disproportionately on the same class of voters that these very laws were designed to protect--the elderly, the disabled, students, and minorities.

I will not stand by, Mr. Speaker, and watch silently as State legislatures attempt to compromise the right of citizens to vote. And as a caucus, we will not be silent. We will not stand by idly as decades of struggle for equal voting rights are trampled upon. We will not turn our backs on voters who now face the erosion of the very premise upon which our Nation is built, and that is the right to vote and to representation.

I am proud to report, however, that 2012 is looking much better than 2011. Connecticut's Secretary of State and Governor introduced a package to streamline voter registration and increase access to absentee voting. In Florida, a bill was proposed to repeal legislation that shortened early voting periods and restricted voter registration drives. A bill introduced in Nebraska that would require a photo ID to vote was removed from the legislature's agenda. In Washington, a bipartisan bill was introduced that would allow 16-year-olds to preregister to vote. The Department of Justice rejected South Carolina's photo ID law, and just last week a circuit court in Wisconsin heard a case against Wisconsin's voter ID law. It looks like 2012 will be a very good year for the protection of voting rights.

These attempts to restrict voting are especially hard on young folks. More than 1 million students attend colleges, universities, and technical schools in the State of Texas alone, but because of the State's new voter ID law, none will be allowed to use their student ID cards to cast a ballot. Texans, however, can show a gun permit and be allowed to vote, but a college student attempting to use their school- issued ID will be denied.

Earlier this month, Bill O'Reilly vehemently defended laws like the one in Texas. He said if students don't know they can vote absentee, they're too stupid to vote. You're in college, but you're too stupid to vote? What an insult.

During the Jim Crow era, people said African Americans were too stupid to vote. If you were black and you couldn't count the number of jelly beans in a jar or tell the person at the ballot box how many bubbles were in a bar of soap, you were too stupid to vote.

We refuse to return to those days. Stand with us. Protect the franchise. Protect the right to vote.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the large number of vacant and

abandoned homes in my district and across the Nation.

Remnants of the foreclosure crisis still linger everywhere. Home values plummeted during the country's economic crisis and have continued to decline year after year due to the blighted and abandoned homes. Nationally, nearly 4\1/2\ percent of mortgages are in foreclosure. More than a quarter of mortgage borrowers are underwater, and 11 percent of all homes are vacant.

City and State governments need our help. In the Cleveland area, 15,000 homes are vacant and in need of demolition. Demolishing these structures will cost approximately $100 million.

Homeowners are depending on us to help stop the free-fall of their property values. It is time we develop and pass meaningful legislation that promotes the revitalization of our neighborhoods.

Mr. Speaker, after a year of attempts to eliminate Medicare and obstruct any kind of jobs bill, the Republican agenda is clear: eliminate the deficit at any cost, including at the expense of our most vulnerable, while adversely impacting our economic recovery.

More than 1.6 million American children were homeless at some point in 2010. These are children under the age of 18 living in emergency shelters or in shared housing, and many are living on the street. Now, in 2011, the number of homeless children continues to increase. There are more homeless children today than after the natural disasters of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The recession's economic devastation has left 1 in 45 children homeless, millions of Americans are out of work, and we have pushed unemployment rates to levels not seen in decades.

We continue to see poverty soar. In 2010, nearly one in six Americans was living in poverty. As poverty surged to its highest level since 1993, median household incomes declined, which is why it is maddening to me that we in Congress can't agree or even come to a point where we can agree to compromise on policies that will help struggling Americans.

In the 49 weeks since the Republicans took control of this House they have failed to pass a single bill to encourage job growth. They pledged to focus on economic recovery, but they have failed to deliver. I have sponsored four jobs bills in the last 6 months, but none of them has been brought up for a vote. What the majority has done is try to advance their own political agenda. Their priority is clear: eliminate the deficit at any cost on the backs of the most vulnerable.

This year, Republicans proposed a budget that would privatize Medicare and make Medicaid a block grant, sacrificing care for our seniors, our sick, and our poor. The Republican budget slashed more than $6 trillion--with a ``t''--over the next decade from Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare, and many other programs supporting low- and middle- income Americans. The majority suggests these drastic changes while leaving in place tax cuts for the wealthiest and $40 billion in Big Oil tax loopholes.

The majority's budget would devastate poor communities and middle class Americans. It pushes seniors into the hands of private insurance companies and forces them to pay more out-of-pocket expenses. What we need is a bold approach, Mr. Speaker, to maintaining these programs rather than finding ways to defund or derail them.

Almost 6 million workers have been unemployed for a year or more in this country, so we know there is a strong need to extend unemployment insurance. What we've seen this week makes me skeptical. Here we are at the end of one of the most unproductive congressional sessions we've had in recent history. In this end of the year drama, Republicans play the role of the Grinch who stole Christmas.

Yesterday, the House passed a bill that slashes unemployment insurance by 40 weeks in the States that are hardest hit, including my own home State of Ohio. If signed into law, beneficiaries without a high school degree would be denied insurance unless they use the benefits we're giving them to pay for getting their GED. The bill also allows States to force recipients to take drug tests.

In 2010, unemployment benefits kept 3.2 million Americans--including nearly 1 million children--from falling into poverty. I don't even want to imagine the magnitude of the problem if we fail to extend unemployment insurance now.

During this holiday season more than ever, Americans feel there is no way out. Last week, a woman in Texas, who was originally from the State of Ohio, killed herself and shot her two children because they were denied SNAP benefits. One of those children has died. Mr. Speaker, this is desperation, homelessness at its worst.

I thank the gentlelady for yielding.

I rise today in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill.

How in good conscience can we allow States to fund re-employment programs with money that would otherwise be in the pockets of the unemployed?

My amendment mandates transparency and accountability. It requires States to make public the amount of money taken from the checks of unemployed Americans. It's not that I am against re-employment, Mr. Speaker, but I am against decreasing the amount of money that beneficiaries get every month. I mentioned Karen from Cleveland on the floor last week. Karen was laid off in March. Her unemployment check is allowing her to keep her home and to pay for expensive prescriptions. She relies on every single dollar.

Let's cut the partisan posturing, and let's extend unemployment insurance without unnecessary riders.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to strongly oppose this rule and the underlying bill. H.R. 3630 allows States to fund reemployment programs with money that would otherwise be in the pockets of the unemployed.

My amendment mandates transparency and accountability. It requires States to make public the amount of money taken from the checks of unemployed Americans.

This is not the time to divert funds away from those most in need in order to fund reemployment programs. Let me be clear, it's not that I am against reemployment programs.

But those who are unemployed need every dollar. And at a time when our economy is starting to recover, we need the unemployed to remain consumers. Every dollar of unemployment payments generates up to one dollar and ninety cents in economic growth.

I mentioned Karen from Cleveland on the House floor last week. Karen was laid off in March. Her unemployment check is allowing her to pay her mortgage and buy prescriptions she needs to maintain her health. She has completely used up her savings.

If Karen's check were to decrease, or disappear, the consequences would be devastating.

Karen, like millions of Americans, depends on unemployment insurance to stay in their homes, and buy needed medicine. It will create an endless cycle of medical bills and homeless shelters.

For all the unemployed mothers who provide for their children. For unemployed seniors who are not quite old enough for Social Security.

For all the unemployed Americans, whose funds are low and debts are high, trying to keep their lives together as they navigate the most difficult time period since the Great Depression.

Let's cut the partisan posturing and extend unemployment insurance without unnecessary riders.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of the Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio, I rise today to recognize a religious leader, constituent, and friend in my District. At the beginning of January 2012, Reverend Dr. Marvin Andrew McMickle will assume his new full-time role of President at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. For the past 24 years, Dr. McMickle has been the Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, leading his flock and many others to join him in the fight for social, racial, and economic justice. Dr. McMickle's travels to Israel, Greece, Austria, Senegal and the West Indies are testaments of this effort to uphold his teachings of justice. His leadership in Northeast Ohio is unmatched. He served on numerous boards and led organizations, including President of the Cleveland NAACP between 1989 and 1992.

Dr. McMickle's many accomplishments can be attributed to his educational credentials. Over the years, Dr. McMickle has obtained several post-secondary degrees, two of which are Doctorates from Princeton Theological Seminary and Case Western Reserve University. He used his many years of education to perpetuate the transfer of biblical knowledge and insight to instruct a Homiletics course at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ohio. In addition to academic leadership, Dr. McMickle has written numerous books, articles and sermons to serve as tools and guidelines for others to develop their ministries.

Congratulations to Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School for selecting such an exceptional man, husband, father and leader as their new President. Dr. McMickle will be deeply missed in my district, but I know his work at Colgate will continue to change the world.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of the Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio, I rise today to recognize U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott of the Northern District of Ohio, on receiving the Ohio State Bar Foundation's Outstanding Program Award on behalf of the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program. The Award is given annually to an organization and its leadership for programs that promote access to, and generate improvements in, the Ohio criminal justice system.

I am pleased to recognize Marshal Elliott's tireless efforts and commend him on the success of the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program, which he created after Cleveland police officer Wayne Leon, a family friend, was killed by an individual being served an arrest warrant.

Since 2005, Fugitive Safe Surrender has brought thousands of fugitives in over 25 cities across the nation to surrender. The idea of having fugitives surrender in a safe haven, such as a church, has been one key to the program's success.

In 2010, between September 22nd and 25th, Fugitive Safe Surrender brought in a national record of 7,431 fugitives at Mount Zion Church in Oakwood Village, Ohio. The Fugitive Safe Surrender program was authorized by Congress in July 2006 and signed into law in 2007, after being introduced by the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and former Senator Mike DeWine. It is believed to be the first program of its kind in the nation. I am very proud that this program was created in the Northern District of Ohio by my friend, U.S. Marshal Peter Elliott, and congratulate him on receiving the well-deserved Ohio State Bar Foundation's Outstanding Program Award in recognition of the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the urgent need to extend unemployment insurance for struggling Americans. Forty-five percent of all unemployed workers--more than 6 million people--have been out of work for more than 6 months.

Karen, from Cleveland, was laid off in March. She was laid off from a law firm due to budget constraints. She is 62 years old and unable to find a job in this economy. Unemployment insurance is helping her to get by with just the basic necessities. It is allowing her to pay for expensive but necessary prescriptions. She is actively looking for work, but she is afraid that if her unemployment benefits are cut, she will lose her house. Karen's State unemployment benefits can run out at the end of December.

If Congress fails to act to renew the Federal unemployment insurance program, she'll become just another statistic, one of the millions of Americans who identify themselves with the 99 percent. Karen, along with 6 million Americans, will be cut off from emergency lifeline saving resources unless Congress acts.

Sandra, of Cleveland Heights, lost her job in April 2011. It's her third layoff. She is 59 years old. She never thought she would find herself in this position at this age.

Rather than defaulting on her mortgage, she has used up all of her retirement savings. Now she is deeper into debt. When her unemployment funds run out, it's likely she will default. And being an older worker, it makes it even harder.

We see this scenario all too often across this Nation, hardworking Americans getting laid off, using up their savings, and then losing their homes. We've seen foreclosure rates soar, and Americans are falling behind on their mortgage payments at a very rapid rate. In my district, more than 13 percent of homeowners are 90 or more days behind on their mortgage.

In 2010, unemployment benefits kept 3 million Americans, including nearly 1 million children, from falling into poverty. Extending unemployment insurance can prevent the loss of over 500,000 jobs, according to the Economic Policy Institute--500,000 jobs.

You know why? Because UI payments go directly into the economy. They support local businesses. They help create jobs and reduce the demand for public services. If we don't extend unemployment insurance, it would be the equivalent of pulling nearly $90 billion out of the economy in 2012.

There's one more story I'd like to tell you. It's from Molly in Toledo. I tell Molly's story because it embodies the frustration felt by thousands upon thousands of American across this country.

Molly has battled unemployment since October 2008. She wonders how the rich and powerful expect people like her to survive without good- paying jobs. ``Are we just supposed to die,'' she asks? ``Commit suicide? Starve to death while we are homeless and on the streets?''

Molly says: ``The deck really seems to be stacked against ordinary Americans. No one with any real power seems to care, except Warren Buffett.''

``I'm trying to find a good job,'' she says, ``or any job for that matter. We, the unemployed are demonized by the right and discriminated against for being out of work. We're too old or overqualified or underqualified, or we're the wrong color. What has happened to my country?'' she asks.

These are the stories of everyday Americans who are struggling to get by. This is not about Democrats and Republicans. This is about coming together to help millions of unemployed Americans get through the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. It's about helping our economy grow and about creating jobs.

Americans are frustrated with the decline of the middle class and the lack of good-paying jobs. But these honorable citizens haven't given up, and neither can we. We must act now. We must extend unemployment insurance.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, there is no doubt that a concerted voter suppression effort is under way in this Nation. Abolishing the Election Assistance Commission, an agency charged with ensuring that the vote of every American counts, is just another step in the voter suppression effort and would completely remove oversight of the most important process in our democracy.

Does it make sense to remove oversight at a time when Republican-led legislatures across this Nation are passing laws to obstruct voting? No, it absolutely does not.

In the first three quarters of 2011, 19 new State laws and two executive actions were enacted to limit the ability of American citizens to vote. They would make it significantly harder for more than 5 million eligible voters to cast ballots in 2012.

Many of the bills, including one signed into law in my home State of Ohio, include the most drastic voter restrictions since before the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Seniors will be denied their right to the franchise, and the disabled will find it more difficult to vote. Minorities and students will face more challenges than ever before. Soldiers honorably serving our country will be left with their absentee ballots uncounted. And let's not forget the people who died for our right to vote. People were slain to create the rights we enjoy today.

This determined effort is really about targeting a specific population of eligible voters to change the outcome of the 2012 elections. Plain and simple, H.R. 3463 is yet another voter suppression tactic.

Join me today in supporting this final amendment to guarantee the right of every American citizen to cast their vote.

I thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to the balanced budget amendment, H.J. Res. 2. Despite its name, this amendment does not balance the budget. It would have little effect on our deficit but could seriously harm our economy. It would destroy jobs, drastically cut Medicare and Social Security, and unconstitutionally give Federal judges the power to make spending decisions.

And this amendment does not even require a balanced budget every year. What it does it make it easier to cut taxes and more difficult to raise taxes in order to allocate money to important programs that protect our veterans, our seniors, and our most vulnerable. It could also allow Federal judges to have the final say on taxing and spending decisions.

No one knows if amending the Constitution to require a balanced Federal budget will actually reduce the debt. No one knows if it could prevent the debt from growing in the future. What we do know is that when Democrats controlled Congress, PAYGO was effective in reining in spending. And what we do know is that this amendment is not the answer.

If a balanced budget requirement were to go into effect, it would destroy millions of jobs. If the budget were balanced through spending cuts, those cuts would come to about $1.5 trillion in 2012. This would throw 15 million more Americans out of work, double the unemployment rate to approximately 18 percent, and cause the economy to shrink by 17 percent.

Republicans, as part of their budget proposal, have made it clear they want to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. By requiring a balanced budget, these programs would be directly on the chopping block. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this amendment could force Congress to cut all programs by an average of 17.3 percent by 2018. If revenues are not raised, Medicare could be cut by about $750 billion.

Democrats have balanced the budget before, and we will do it again without harming the economy. This amendment is nothing more than a Republican political diversion, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ohio as the first state to designate December 1 as Rosa Parks Day with legislation to honor her life and legacy as the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement.

In 2005, then-State Representative Joyce Beatty wrote, advocated for and won unanimous support to pass Ohio's legislation in the 50th- anniversary year of Mrs. Parks' courageous act of refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white passenger. This act sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Modern Civil Rights Movement.

Ohio continues to honor Rosa Parks with an annual statewide tribute on December 1 entitled ``The Power of One,'' which celebrates that historical day when she took a stand by staying seated. A partnership between the Central Ohio Transit Authority, The Ohio State University, the Ohio Historical Society and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission brings the tribute to life each year. It includes a Children's Assembly that welcomes 800 schoolchildren to learn and be inspired by her legacy. Ohio's leadership in honoring Rosa Parks ensures that young children will be reminded that she is a symbol for justice and civil rights, and that sometimes one person can change the world.

I am proud to recognize the great state of Ohio for commemorating Rosa Parks' legacy of inspiration and courage and our state's ongoing education of young people about civil rights.

(126th General Assembly)

(House Bill Number 421)

An act to enact section 5.2231 of the Revised Code to

designate December 1 as ``Rosa Parks Day.''

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:

Section 1. That section 5.2231 of the Revised Code be

Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the State of Ohio as the first State to pass legislation designating December 1 as Rosa Parks Day. House Bill 421, introduced in 2005 by then State Representative Joyce Beatty, who is with us today, honors the life and legacy of the mother of the Civil Rights Movement.

Ohio continues to honor Rosa Parks with an annual statewide tribute on December 1, and it is entitled ``The Power of One.'' This tribute, which is a partnership between the Ohio State University, the Ohio Historical Society, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and the Central Ohio Transit Authority, celebrates the day when Rosa Parks took a stand by staying seated. It includes a children's assembly that welcomes 800 school children to learn and be inspired by her legacy.

I am proud to recognize the great State of Ohio for commemorating Rosa Parks' legacy of inspiration and courage, and our State's ongoing commitment to educating young people about civil rights.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to address the right of every American, and that is the right to vote.

Republicans across this Nation are attempting to suppress certain predetermined populations of eligible voters. In Ohio, they are trying to limit voting by mail, which greatly affects seniors, the disabled, and students.

In 2009, in the county in which I live, Cuyahoga County, we eliminated 26 percent of all of our precincts because of the effectiveness of our vote-by-mail operation. We saved more than $1.2 million on voting machines alone. And with fewer precincts, we save at least $800,000 for each countywide election by having people vote by mail. Yet Republicans passed legislation that would restrict counties from mailing ballots. As a consequence, this year alone, early voting is down by one-third from last year.

With such an efficient vote-by-mail system, why would Republicans seek to eliminate mail ballots or to confuse voters? Why are Republicans pushing policies that seem to have no other objective than to disenfranchise our citizens?

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio, I am pleased to recognize the

award-winning Call & Post Newspaper in celebration of its 95th anniversary.

Since 1916, the Call & Post has served as an integral resource of influence and action for the community, advocating for equal rights as well as celebrating the rich African American culture and heritage.

The Call & Post was birthed into existence by inventor Garrett A. Morgan. The paper came into prominence under the direction of William Otis Walker, who served as publisher for nearly 50 years. The Call & Post continues its legacy of bringing stories and key issues to the attention of our community after nearly 95 years of service.

I commend Donald King, civil rights activist George Forbes, Associate Publisher Constance Harper and all employees of the Call & Post for their extreme passion and willingness to continue to fight for our rights through freedom of speech.

November 3, 2011, is a day of celebration for the Call & Post for 95 years of commitment to the African American community. Congratulations and may you have continued success in the future!

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak about voter suppression bills that are pending or are already signed into law in a number of States across this land. They have only one true purpose, which is to disenfranchise eligible voters.

Many of my colleagues will be joining me this evening, and I would like to begin by yielding to my good friend, Mr. Rush Holt, from the State of New Jersey.

I thank the gentleman so much for his insight.

I now yield to someone who I know, coming from the State of Wisconsin, has a great deal of experience in this area, my good friend, the gentlelady from Wisconsin, Ms. Gwen Moore.

Thank you so much.

I just want to say both my friend, Congresswoman Moore and my friend, Congressman Holt, have basically put into context the fact that any time you have to jump over a hurdle or pay to get something to vote, it is a poll tax.

I now want to yield to someone from my home who has been an advocate for voting rights and someone who knows the issues very well because we are facing them in Ohio, the gentlelady from Ohio, my friend, Congresswoman Betty Sutton.

I thank you. And now you can see why in Ohio we are going to defeat everything they bring to us that restricts our right to vote.

I would yield to one of my newer colleagues, one who's from a State where the Voting Rights Act was designed to protect the people of her State, my colleague from the great State of Alabama, the gentlelady, Terri Sewell.

I thank the gentlelady.

I yield to someone who certainly we all know has been so involved in voting rights and a person on whose shoulders I stand, the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. John Lewis.

Thank you so much for the history lesson we just received.

As you know, there are many things going on in the State of Ohio, and that's why I'm joined tonight by another one of my colleagues from the great State of Ohio, my friend, and someone who as well has fought very,

very diligently to make sure that everyone has their right to vote, and that is Congressman Tim Ryan.

I yield to the Congressman.

Thank you so much. And I do thank my colleague from Ohio because we are going to continue to stand together and we're going to win.

I now yield to the gentleman from Illinois, Congressman Danny Davis.

Thank you so much, my friend.

I now yield to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Al Green.

Thank you, Congressman Green. And he's right, the fight remains the same.

I yield now to my classmate and friend from the great State of New York, Mr. Tonko.

Thank you, Congressman Tonko. I appreciate it.

Now, the dean of the Ohio delegation, my friend from Ohio, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.

Thank you very, very much, Congresswoman Kaptur.

Now, to my friend also from the State of Texas, the gentlelady from

Texas, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee.

Our Whip has joined us. Before he speaks, I would like to yield to the gentleman from Georgia, Congressman Hank Johnson.

Thank you so much.

Now, we would have the Whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer). Congressman Hoyer is taking the lead on this as well, and we thank you for being here tonight.

Mr. Speaker, let me just close by saying this:

To all of the Governors in all of the States that have passed this legislation, please understand it is time for you to do the right thing.

To all of the Secretaries of State and all of the State legislators who have by design gone out and tried to keep predetermined people from voting, do the right thing.

Anybody who cares about democracy in this country or who cares about the reputation of this country and the way that we handle our business, please know that it is time to do the right thing. If you care about the generations that follow us, then do the right thing.

For the veterans who are coming back--who are homeless, who don't have addresses--for the people who don't drive, for the sick, for the disabled, for the elderly, for the children, do the right thing.

I would say to all of the people who have been on this floor tonight, we all understand the gravity of the problem. We are just saying to all of these States on the map of shame, it is time for them to do the right thing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about voter suppression bills pending or already signed into law in a number of states. They have only one true purpose--to disenfranchise eligible voters.

This is a clear attempt to prevent certain predetermined segments of the population from exercising their right to vote. Students, the elderly, minorities and those for whom English is their second language are all targets.

Many of the bills, including one that was signed into law in my home state--Ohio, include the most drastic voting restrictions we have seen since before the Voting Rights Act.

These bills will not allow address changes at the polls and end volunteer-run registration drives. Twenty-one million citizens would be unable to vote because they do not have state-issued photo identification. We would say good-bye to same-day voter registration and hello to difficulty casting an absentee ballot.

There is no doubt that there is a concerted voter suppression effort underway in this nation. In the first three quarters of 2011, nineteen new restrictive laws and two new executive actions were enacted. At least forty-two bills are still pending, and at least sixty-eight more were introduced but failed.

If these bills were to become law, the effects would be catastrophic. These new laws would make it significantly harder for more than five million eligible voters to cast ballots in 2012.

Under these pending voter suppression laws, we can only imagine how many Americans would not have had the opportunity to vote in 2008. The two-hundred and two thousand voters who registered through voter registration drives in 2008 would find it extremely difficult or impossible to register under new laws. The sixty thousand voters who registered in 2008 through Election Day registration would not have registered or voted under pending laws.

Think about how many felons had their right to vote restored in 2008. Many of the pending state bills would make it virtually impossible for hundreds of thousands of rehabilitated citizens to ever vote again.

These numbers prove that votes will be suppressed in 2012. These laws are nothing but a ploy to give Republicans a political edge by suppressing the votes of many who voted Democratic in 2008.

The proponents of these voter suppression bills claim wide-spread voter fraud. I am here to tell you there is no truth to their assertion. A statewide study in Ohio found that out of nine million votes cast, there were only four instances of ineligible persons voting or attempting to vote in 2002 and 2004.

An investigation of fraud allegations in Wisconsin in 2004 led to the prosecution of 0.0007 percent of voters. From 2002 to 2005, the Justice Department found, only five people were convicted for voting multiple times. Millions of voters cast votes each election. The minimal amount of voter fraud that occurs does not warrant the restrictive bills that are moving in the states.

I fought Ohio's voter suppression bill, HB 194. Now voters will cast their vote to decide whether or not HB 194 will become law. We placed the peoples' right to vote back into their hands. I also fought Ohio's voter photo ID legislation. Due to pressure, the Republicans decided to delay moving forward with the legislation. I will continue to fight to protect voter's rights across the nation. We cannot be silent.

I urge you to speak out against what we know to be a concerted effort to suppress votes. People died for our right to vote. People were slain to create the franchise we enjoy today. I will not let their deaths be in vain.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.