I first came to Kansas City to establish a new chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in support of the local and national Civil Rights Movement as it moved to the forefront of public conversation.  Decades later, as a Member of Congress, a primary role of mine is to defend the Constitution and the rights it guarantees to each and every citizen of our nation.  While we have come a long ways since the days of SCLC establishment there are many civil rights issues still challenging us today.

Voting Rights Act and Supreme Court Decision

As many of you know, the Supreme Court recently overturned key provisions of The Voting Rights Act of 1965.  The ability of our citizens to exercise their right to vote is a critical act that defines the United States as a constitutional democracy.  This recent decision threatens that ability, especially for groups of voters that are most likely to become disenfranchised.  I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court on this decision, but I believe Congress has a unique opportunity to make things right.  I hope to continue the fight for voting rights for all and believe that the good and decent people of this country need to speak out.

EASY (Equal Access to Support Youth) Voting Act

The most important protection for our democracy’s future is the involvement of our future leaders.  Engaging our youth in the electoral process is critical.  Recognizing this, I introduced the EASY Voting Act during the 112th Congress that would prohibit efforts to discourage voter registration and electoral participation of students at institutes of higher education.  Key provisions would allow students to utilize a school-issued ID for in states that require photo identification and stop the dissemination of false information about the registration process.  My intention is to re-introduce this bill to the 113th Congress with the hope that Congress will pass these key provisions to protect and encourage our youth’s civic spirit.

Equal Pay for Equal Work

Fifty years ago, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law that required employers to give women working in the same jobs as men equal pay to their male counterparts.  This legislation was monumental in the women’s rights movement but unfortunately women all across our nation are still making thousands less than their male colleagues.  This reality is more than just a moral failure; it is an economic one as well.  This income disparity, like any other income inequality, undermines the economic security of our families and falls short of the economic promise our nation makes to all.  My hope is to seek and promote any opportunity, legislative or otherwise, available to remedy this problem.