hey Florida, nice earrings!

We're shaking things up in Congress. The Voting Rights Act of '65 got some new earrings, bracelets and a sapphire ring last night. Keep up the good work, folks...I mean, me. Maybe I did the work in my sleep. Who knows? I am missing some jewelry, now that I think of it.

Dear Katherine,

Last night, on a 98-0 vote, the Senate passed the bill reauthorizing the expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (S. 2703). This enormous victory could not have been won without the grassroots pressure ratcheted up by activists like you.

Throughout the fight, your calls, letters and petition signatures were instrumental in moving this critical legislation. Right-wing members of Congress tried to put up roadblock after roadblock but the message from Americans was clear that we were not about to tolerate such a blatant attack on voting rights. When the GOP leadership in both houses looked ready to acquiesce to the will of the most radical in their party, we and our allies turned up the heat with our more than 100,000 petition signatures and instead made them follow the will of the people.

We should all feel energized by this win. But we know right-wing efforts to restrict voting rights and disenfranchise poor and minority voters are far from over. People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation will be there to fight them at every turn. Legislation needs to be implemented and we’ll be working both in Washington and in the states to demand that the Bush administration enforce all provisions of the Voting Rights Act in every election.

So, the fight rages on tomorrow, but today we celebrate.

Thank you for standing with us in this fight and truly answering the call to save the Voting Rights Act.

-- Your Allies at People For the American Way