Congressman Carter Statement on Louisiana v. Callais

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement as the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Louisiana v. Callais:

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a devastating blow to the promise of equal representation in our democracy. This ruling is about far more than lines on a map — it’s about whether Black Louisianians will have a meaningful opportunity to make their voices heard.

“For decades, the Court’s majority has steadily chipped away at the Voting Rights Act of 1965.The consequences of this decision are immediate and severe: the hard-fought progress that led to the creation of two majority-Black congressional districts in Louisiana is now in jeopardy.

“Let’s be clear: this is not about so-called ‘colorblind’ principles. History has shown us time and again that policies claiming neutrality, from literacy tests to poll taxes, have been used to silence Black voices. Louisiana knows this history all too well. Without the protections of the Voting Rights Act, there is no evidence to suggest that Black voters in our state will be able to elect candidates of their choice.

“Approximately one-third of Louisiana’s population is Black, yet only a handful of Black citizens have ever represented our state in Congress. That stark reality underscores the continued need for protections that ensure fair and equal representation. When Black communities lose representation, their concerns are too often ignored, and their voices diminished.

“This decision will embolden efforts to dismantle majority-Black districts and fracture communities that have finally begun to see themselves reflected in their government. This isn’t just about federal representation. This decision will also impact state and local governments, impacting Black representation in state capitols and city council chambers across the country. It sends a dangerous signal that the progress we have made can be undone under the guise of legal theory.

“The Voting Rights Act is not a relic. It is a living promise, a commitment that our democracy belongs to everyone. It was enacted to correct nearly 200 years of exclusion and injustice, and its protections remain just as necessary today as they were 60 years ago.

“America stands at a crossroads. We can move forward and ensure that every community has a voice, or we can slide backward into a past where representation is reserved for a few. Today’s decision moves us in the wrong direction.

“But this fight is not over. We will continue to work in Congress and with our communities to restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act and defend the fundamental right to vote.

“We must not allow the erosion of this promise — not now, not in Louisiana, not anywhere, and not on our watch.”

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