Debate on voting rights delayed

WASHINGTON — House Republican leaders Wednesday postponed a vote to renew key provisions of the Voting Rights Act because of opposition from some southern lawmakers.

The House was scheduled to vote on the bipartisan legislation late in the day, but Republican leaders pulled the measure from the floor after several lawmakers voiced concerns earlier about restrictions on the debate.

"If there's ever been a bill that should be under an open rule, it would be the Voting Rights Act," said Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga., who has led the move to revise the 1965 law.

The delay surprised and disappointed civil rights leaders and Democrats, who accuse the southern lawmakers of trying to derail the measure.

"There were members who hijacked the Voting Rights Act," said Nancy Zirkin, deputy director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. "We hope the House leaders get it back on track quickly."

Although the right to vote is permanent, some key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act are set to expire in 2007. One provision at issue requires certain states with a history of discrimination to get clearance from the Justice Department or a federal court before they make election changes. Another provision requires certain jurisdictions to provide language assistance for voters.

Westmoreland and others argue the formula for the so-called "pre-clearance" provision is outdated. He intends to propose an amendment that would rely on updated election data from 1996, 2000 and 2004.

"We're not trying to do away with it. We're trying to strengthen it," Westmoreland said.

Civil rights leaders and Democrats argue the change would weaken the provision and urged Republican leaders to bring up the bill before the July 4 recess.