Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court halted a lower court order requiring Alabama to redraw its congressional map to create a second majority-minority district:

“Today’s Supreme Court order is yet another blow to the fight for fair Black political representation that is at the heart of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). The ruling allows the votes of Black Alabamians to be diluted and further undermines Section 2 of the VRA.

“This order underscores the urgent need for Congress to enact my bill—the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act—which would restore much-needed federal oversight to ensure that minority voters are fairly represented. Black Alabamians deserve nothing less.”

Rep. Sewell’s statement on the lower court’s ruling can be found here.