After Supreme Court Ruling, Senate to Hold Hearings on Voting Rights Act

Patrick Leahy

Now that the Supreme Court has kicked the Voting Rights Act over to Congress, Congress will take it up.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold hearings next month after the court on Tuesday invalidated the Voting Rights Act's coverage formula, which determines which voting districts must gain pre-approval from the Department of Justice for voting policy and procedure changes.

The court left standing Section 5, which requires states with histories of racial discrimination to seek such approval, only invalidating the formula that determines which districts fall under that provision. Congress last reauthorized the law in 2006.

Read more about the Supreme Court's landmark decision on voting rights.

Now, it's essentially up to Congress to re-write the formula.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., announced the Voting Rights Act hearings to Democratic senators at their weekly caucus luncheon, held about two and a half hours after the Supreme Court handed down its decision, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters.

The committee will likely hold "multiple" hearings, a committee aide told ABC News.

Reid criticized the ruling, saying there is "general displeasure" over it among Senate Democrats.

"This is a dark day for the Supreme Court," Reid said.

Also Read

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/supreme-court-ruling-senate-hold-hearings-voting-rights-233850150--abc-news-politics.html

Paula Broadwell Tilted Kilt Barbara Palvin Yahoo Fantasy Football Nick Foles Auguste Rodin Breaking Amish