05/02/2026 | Press release | Archived content
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais striking down Louisiana's congressional map that created a second majority-Black district.
"This decision is a setback for voting rights and fair representation. Full stop.
"Let me be clear. For generations, people fought, marched, and even died for the right to vote in this country. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was supposed to protect that right and make sure communities that were shut out of power finally had a fair chance to be heard.
"Today's ruling weakens that protection. Even though Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is still on the books, this decision makes it harder to use it the way it was intended. And when that happens, it is Black voters and other communities of color who pay the price first.
"In Louisiana, a map that created a second majority-Black district has now been struck down. That is not just a legal change on paper. That is about representation. That is about whether communities finally get a seat at the table or are pushed back out again.
"We cannot ignore what is happening here. Step by step, we are seeing efforts to chip away at the Voting Rights Act and limit the tools that protect fair elections. That should concern every American who believes in democracy.
"The right to vote is not negotiable. It is not optional. It is the foundation of everything else in this country. And I will continue to fight, without apology, to protect that right, strengthen the Voting Rights Act, and make sure every community is seen, heard, and represented."
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