In the News
The Texas law was challenged by U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey (CD33 – Texas) and other minority plaintiffs shortly after it was adopted in 2011.The Veasey plaintiffs have successfully argued that the law is discriminatory at every stage of the litigation.
In 2012, a federal court ruled that Texas's voter ID law violated Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and stopped it from going into effect. However, in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a critical component of the landmark civil rights law that had required states, like Texas, with a history of discrimination to get federal approval before making any major changes to state voting or election laws. Congressman Marc Veasey (D-Fort Worth) ultimately filed a lawsuit challenging the law (again) when then-Gov.
Marc Veasey (D), who was the lead plaintiff in the case against the state, told the Texas Tribune that the ruling gives all Texans a shot at making their voice heard, and called on the Gov. and embattle state Attorney General Ken Paxton to end their efforts on discriminating against the state's minority residents.
Former state Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, and U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, Max Faulkner Star-Telegram archives
The case, Veasey v. Abbott, carries the names of U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, a Democrat from Fort Worth and the primary plaintiff in the case, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who is the defendant.
[…]
Civil rights groups -- later joined by the Justice Department -- responded with a lawsuit to block the law. The case was heard by Ramos, an appointee of President Barack Obama, and she ruled in favor of Veasey in October 2014.
The ruling, which came one day before the Voting Rights Act turned 50 years old, was a narrow victory for critics of the Texas law. It prolonged a long-winding legal battle over legislation that some called the strictest in the nation.
The three-judge panel's unanimous decision sent the case back to a lower court, which will decide how Texas should fix its problems. But for now, the law stands as is.
U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, the lead plaintiff in the case, said that the court had taken steps toward giving all Texans full voting access.
The delegation will then travel to Ukraine to meet with leaders in Kiev to discuss political and economic reforms. In addition to DeLauro and Pelosi, the group includes: Reps. Anna Eshoo of California, Chellie Pingree of Maine, Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Marc Veasey of Texas.
The travelers on this whirlwind six-day junket are Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), Anna Eshoo (Calif.), Chellie Pingree (Maine), Cedric Richmond (La.), David Cicilline (R.I.) and Marc Veasey (Tex.).
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will travel to Italy and Ukraine starting Thursday on a congressional delegation intended to underscore the U.S. commitment to security in that region.
Democratic Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Anna Eshoo of California, Chellie Pingree of Maine, Cedric Richmond of Louisiana, David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Marc Veasey of Texas will accompany Pelosi. Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin was scheduled to join the trip but was forced to cancel because of family matters.
On a 97-degree morning, a new employee at the Taylors Farm Apartments in Dallas was picking up and taking trash to the dumpster, fixing appliances and responding to residents' maintenance requests.
To some of the residents, he looked just like Congressman Marc A. Veasey, a Democrat whose 33rd district covers the apartment community.
Spoiler alert: He actually was Congressman Marc A Veasey, spending the morning working alongside staff to better understand the working and housing challenges his constituents face.