In 1983, then Congressman John McCain voted AGAINST establishing a federal holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. During his 2008 presidential campaign, Sen. McCain finally apologized for this monumental mistake—when it was politically expedient. 1/
That 1983 vote passed the House 338 to 90. It was a bipartisan effort AFTER a multi-year effort by activists, advocates, and celebrities. Most of the House did the right thing after being PRESSURED to do the right thing. 2/
Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) passed the House with 217 Dems and 111 Republicans. The Senate? 49 Democrats and 30 Republicans. A supermajority voted for the bill in a bipartisan way in BOTH chambers. 3/
VRA has been reauthorized FIVE times since 1965 and it has always had BIPARTISAN support.
In 1970- S: 64-12, H: 237-132
In 1975- S: 77-12, H: 341-70
In 1982- S: 85-8, H: 389-24
In 1992- S: 75-20, H: 237-125
In 2006- S: UNANIMOUS H: 390-33
The interesting part? 4/
In 1970- S: 64-12, H: 237-132
In 1975- S: 77-12, H: 341-70
In 1982- S: 85-8, H: 389-24
In 1992- S: 75-20, H: 237-125
In 2006- S: UNANIMOUS H: 390-33
The interesting part? 4/
Every reauthorization has been signed into law by Republican President. 1965 was of course LBJ (Dem), but…can we imagine what might have changed since 2006? 😏 5/
Oh…so glad you asked! Barack Hussein Obama became President in 2008.
Voter ID and voter suppression bills began getting introduced in droves (thanks to the help of ALEC) in 2010. Tea Party also started that year, but I digress… 6/
Voter ID and voter suppression bills began getting introduced in droves (thanks to the help of ALEC) in 2010. Tea Party also started that year, but I digress… 6/
Then in 2013, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act. Since then, the hyper-partisan Congress has not been able to pass this traditionally very BIPARTISAN bill. 7/
So, what does this have to do with the MLK Holiday? There’s yet another elected official in Arizona who is standing on the wrong side of history. As #Sinema wrestles with her ambition and doing right by democracy, I want her to know that elections have consequences. 8/
John McCain’s apology for being on the wrong side of MLK IN MEMPHIS didn’t help him in 2008. We deserve elected officials with courage who will do the right thing even when they believe their power is being threatened (spoiler alert: sharing power is not a threat). 9/
Currently, there are two Democrats and 50 Republicans standing between us and voting rights. They have chosen to dig into this posture as we prepare to honor Dr. King and his legacy on Monday. What would he make of this lukewarm posture? Of the staunch opposition? 10/
From Give Us the Ballot:
“…all types of conniving methods are still being used to prevent Negroes from becoming registered voters. The denial of this sacred right is a tragic betrayal of the highest mandates of our democratic tradition…” 11/
“…all types of conniving methods are still being used to prevent Negroes from becoming registered voters. The denial of this sacred right is a tragic betrayal of the highest mandates of our democratic tradition…” 11/
“And so our most urgent request to the president of the United States and every member of Congress is to give us the right to vote.
Give us the ballot, and we will no longer have to worry the federal government about our basic rights.” 12/
Give us the ballot, and we will no longer have to worry the federal government about our basic rights.” 12/
“In this juncture of our nation’s history, there is an urgent need for dedicated and courageous leadership.”
I will not say Happy MLK Day. I will say honor him. Honor his legacy. Do your part in halting this backwards spiral.
Let’s go, y’all. It’s time. NOW. 13/
I will not say Happy MLK Day. I will say honor him. Honor his legacy. Do your part in halting this backwards spiral.
Let’s go, y’all. It’s time. NOW. 13/
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