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Co-Chair of the Voting Rights Caucus Denounces the Creation of President Trump's Misguided Voter Integrity Commission

May 11, 2017

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Marc Veasey, co-chairman of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, released the following statement after President Trump announced the formation of his misleadingly named 'Election Integrity Commission':

"My first point is undisputed by anyone with real expertise and integrity in examining elections: In-person voter fraud is rare to the point of being statistically irrelevant.

"Yet, since President Trump's election, he has perpetrated the myth and advanced the lie of rampant voter fraud. The real threat to fair elections is rampant voter suppression. The dishonestly named ‘Election Integrity Commission' established by President Trump's executive order is an extension of ongoing voter suppression. Rather than enlighten and improve elections, it raises fears and doubts among voters.

"The appointment of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach as the Commission vice chair is additionally troubling and a clear signal that this effort no more than a voter fraud witch-hunt like the one that took place in my home state at the behest of now-Texas Governor Greg Abbott. During Secretary Kobach's term, the state of Kansas implemented a severely restrictive voter ID law designed to discourage and suppress voters rather than assure fair elections. We all have reason to be wary of his intentions in leading this commission.

"In one of the most developed countries in the world, it is beyond shameful that the sacred right to vote is being denied to our citizens based on disproven claims of voter fraud. It is a disgrace that the President has stepped in to put the influence and power of his office behind the dark forces of vote suppression. Given recent findings that concluded new voter restrictions across the country suppressed the vote during the 2016 election, President Trump should stop wasting taxpayer money and, instead, allocate resources to expand access to the ballot and our right to vote. The Congressional Voting Rights Caucus will be closely watching this 'commission' and will not stand for suppressive and discriminatory tactics designed to disenfranchise minorities, the elderly, and the disabled."