[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 57 (Friday, March 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E317-E318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 26TH AMENDMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 26, 2021

  Ms. ESHOO. Madam Speaker, March 23, 2021 marked the 50th anniversary 
of Congressional passage of the 26th Amendment to the Constitution, 
which extended the right to vote

[[Page E318]]

to 18-20-year-olds. This bipartisan amendment was the culmination of 
young activists of all political parties and backgrounds coming 
together to fight for their democratic right.
  It was reported that some in Washington called the effort a 
``children's crusade.'' But those naysayers quickly learned one of 
Washington's most important lessons: never doubt America's youth.
  With the proud support of California's former Members of Congress Don 
Edwards, Jerry Waldie, Pete McCloskey, Ab Mikva and others, the 
Amendment passed the House 401-19, after Senate approval by a 94-0 
vote, and gave more than 10 million 18-to-20-year-olds the right to 
vote.
  Since then, youth activism has remained a driving force to address 
our nation's biggest issues. The global climate crisis, gun violence 
and police brutality have sparked worldwide movements for change led by 
young organizers.
  Half a century after Congress passed the 26th Amendment, young voters 
face many roadblocks to registering to vote and actually being able to 
cast their ballots. Many young Americans aren't educated on how to vote 
or register to vote, face challenges to voting absentee while studying 
away from home, and face the burden of having to go to class or work on 
Election Day.
  For young people of color, the challenges are even greater, as the 
overcriminalization of youth leads to adult felony convictions that bar 
them from voting in many states, fees that must be paid before voting, 
and arrests for low-level offenses that deter potential voters from 
showing up to the voting booth.
  H.R. 1, the For The People Act, which the House passed this month, 
would strengthen the 26th Amendment by requiring online voter 
registration, making absentee ballots more accessible, sending federal 
funds for colleges and universities to appoint a ``campus vote 
coordinator'' to educate students on how they can vote and improve 
voter participation on campus, and ensure formerly incarcerated 
individuals have their right to vote restored when they reenter 
society. The bill also allows 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to 
vote, engaging future voters at a young age to encourage higher 
participation in the future.
  America's youth are ambassadors to our future. March 23rd is an 
anniversary to celebrate extraordinary progress made by visionaries 
whose shoulders we stand on today.

                          ____________________