WASHINGTON, DC - After a bipartisan bill was introduced in the House of Representatives that would amend the Voting Rights Act, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

We commend Representatives Conyers and Sensenbrenner and Senator Leahy for their leadership in taking on this extremely important issue that cuts to the heart of what it means to be a democracy. The bill introduced in the House today is a good first step toward partially restoring the Voting Rights Act, which was undermined by the Shelby Supreme Court decision.

"However, concerns remain about the bill's failure to address the discriminatory impact of voter ID requirements, which could potentially make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. By their nature, voter ID requirements can prevent millions of Americans from voting - especially in communities of color, among the poor, disabled, elderly and young people. Millions of Americans do not have a photo ID, so failing to address this potential barrier that could prevent them from exercising their right to vote is troubling. The bill also fails to include in the pre-clearance process jurisdictions which have proposed the adoption of discriminatory voting practices in areas with growing minority populations.

"Going forward, it is important that members of Congress on both sides of the aisle work together toward the shared goal of protecting all voters from unlawful discrimination in every state in our country. We plan to work with Congress over the next weeks and months to strengthen this bill to ensure it protects all voters."

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