ATLANTA – The leadership team of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus yesterday held a press conference to express the caucus’ opposition Senate Bill 202 ahead of Legislative Day 39.
“Last week, Georgia Republicans put the big lie into law,” said House Minority Leader James Beverly (D-Macon). “Just mere days ago, Senate Bill 202 was a two-page bill. Since then, it has been expanded to 94 pages, passed the House and Senate and been signed by the governor. SB 202 claims to ‘make it easy to vote and hard to cheat.’ We disagree. This bill is designed to make it harder to vote, especially for Blacks, Latinos, Asians, young people and seniors.”
The governor held a private bill signing ceremony for SB 202 following the passage of the bill on Thursday, March 25.
“The governor’s signing of the legislation behind closed doors only illustrates the fact that the public is not with him on SB 202 or any other voter suppression measure,” said House Minority Caucus Chairman Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain). “This omnibus bill of voter suppression was rushed and forced through both chambers to catch Georgia voters off guard. But, Georgia voters will remember.”
As a result of SB 202 being signed into law, members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus voted “NO” for their attendance at the start of Legislative Day 39.
“If Republicans are willing to overhaul our elections with no support from across the aisle, they clearly don’t need the Democrats to be present for their work,” said House Minority Whip David Wilkerson (D-Powder Springs).
Representative James Beverly represents the citizens of District 143, which includes portions of Bibb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and currently serves as House Minority Leader. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and on the Ethics, Health & Human Services, Retirement, Rules, Small Business Development and Special Rules committees.
Representative Billy Mitchell represents the citizens of District 88, which includes portions of DeKalb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2002 and currently serves as Chairman of the House Minority Caucus. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and the Banks & Banking, Health & Human Services and Regulated Industries committees.
Representative David Wilkerson represents the citizens of District 38, which includes portions of Cobb County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as House Minority Whip. He also serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Juvenile Justice, Ethics, Rules, Retirement and Science and Technology committees.
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