Washington D.C., Jul 4, 2013 / 19:16 pm
In the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down part of the Voting Rights Act, the U.S. bishops have called for legislative action to ensure the right of all eligible citizens to vote.
"The recent Supreme Court decision necessitates that Congress act swiftly to assure that the right to vote be protected and afforded to all eligible citizens," Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Calif., and Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas, said July 3.
The two bishops head the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and the Committee on Cultural Diversity, respectively, for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
They urged the introduction of new legislation that "assures modern and effective protections for all voters so that they may exercise their right and moral obligation to participate in public life."