Veasey Statement on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit’s Decision to Take Texas Voter ID Case En Banc

DALLAS / FORT WORTH, TX – Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit announced that they will hold an en banc hearing on whether the 2011 Texas voter ID law has discriminatory effects on minorities:

“As the lead plaintiff in Veasey v. Abbott, I am disappointed that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has decided to extend the legal battle to restore full participation at the ballot box – especially after already ruling that Texas’ voter ID law discriminates against minority voters. Texas has a dismal record of voter participation, so state officials like Governor Abbott and Attorney-General Paxton should be doing all they can to expand turn out. Instead, time and time again, Texans have been victims of political gimmicks meant to prevent them from exercising one of their fundamental rights as U.S. citizens. Seven federal judges have heard the evidence and ruled that the Texas Voter ID law violates the Voting Rights Act. A fair and thorough hearing by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit should reach a similar conclusion.”

###