BET Wire: Landmark Voting Rights Act Takes a Big Hit

Lawmakers react to Supreme Court voting rights decision.

In Case You Missed It - Republicans leave President Obama scratching his head; Ben Carson kind of blames the spread of measles on immigrants; one lawmaker thinks it's OK if your food service worker doesn't wash his hands after a bathroom break — and more. — Joyce Jones (@BETpolitichick)

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In Case You Missed It - President Obama heads to Africa; the Supreme Court deals a blow to voting rights; states move on voter ID laws – and more. — By Joyce Jones

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Sad Day for Civil Rights - Congressional Black Caucus members and African-American leaders around the nation were extremely disappointed by the Supreme Court's ruling eliminating a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. "The Supreme Court has stuck a dagger into the heart of the Voting Rights Act," said civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, adding that it "gutted" the nation's most power tool to prevent discriminatory voting laws. (Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Photo By Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo/ J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo

SCOTUS Rights and Wrongs - Obama discussed two Supreme Court rulings during his first full day in Senegal. He applauded the ruling on gay marriage, but said the high court "made a mistake" overturning a key provision in the Voting Rights Act.   (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

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SCOTUS Rights and Wrongs - Obama discussed two Supreme Court rulings during his first full day in Senegal. He applauded the ruling on gay marriage, but said the high court "made a mistake" overturning a key provision in the Voting Rights Act. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP Photo)

Close Call - Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed a redistricting bill into law on June 26 that maintains the boundaries used in the 2012 election cycle. So although the Supreme Court decision that would have paved the way for the state to use a map blocked by the Voting Rights Act, the minority district represented by Congressional Black Caucus member Marc Veasey is safe — at least until the next Census. Photo:AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

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Close Call - Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed a redistricting bill into law on June 26 that maintains the boundaries used in the 2012 election cycle. So although the Supreme Court decision that would have paved the way for the state to use a map blocked by the Voting Rights Act, the minority district represented by Congressional Black Caucus member Marc Veasey is safe — at least until the next Census. Photo:AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

His Hero - During his first full day in Senegal, Obama paid tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela. "I think he's a hero for the world. And if and when he passes from this place, one thing I think we'll all know is that his legacy is one that will linger on throughout the ages," Obama said at a news conference in Dakar with Senegalese President Macky Sall.   Photo: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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His Hero - During his first full day in Senegal, Obama paid tribute to former South African President Nelson Mandela. "I think he's a hero for the world. And if and when he passes from this place, one thing I think we'll all know is that his legacy is one that will linger on throughout the ages," Obama said at a news conference in Dakar with Senegalese President Macky Sall. Photo: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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That Was Fast - Southern states blocked by the Voting Rights Act from implementing tougher new voting rules are already taking advantage of the Supreme Court's ruling freeing them from seeking permission to change voting procedures. Texas and Mississippi plan to immediately implement voter ID laws, and North Carolina is hoping to follow suit, the Associated Press reports.  (Photo: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

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That Was Fast - Southern states blocked by the Voting Rights Act from implementing tougher new voting rules are already taking advantage of the Supreme Court's ruling freeing them from seeking permission to change voting procedures. Texas and Mississippi plan to immediately implement voter ID laws, and North Carolina is hoping to follow suit, the Associated Press reports. (Photo: AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

He's Sorry - African-American lawmakers aren’t the only ones miffed by the Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act decision. "VRA majority is four accomplices to race discrimination and one Uncle Thomas," wrote Minnesota state Rep. Ryan Winkler, landing himself in hot water for the racial attack on Justice Clarence Thomas. He has since deleted the tweet and issued an apology.  (Photo: AP Photo/Richard Sennott, Pool, File)

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He's Sorry - African-American lawmakers aren’t the only ones miffed by the Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act decision. "VRA majority is four accomplices to race discrimination and one Uncle Thomas," wrote Minnesota state Rep. Ryan Winkler, landing himself in hot water for the racial attack on Justice Clarence Thomas. He has since deleted the tweet and issued an apology. (Photo: AP Photo/Richard Sennott, Pool, File)

DOA - The Senate immigration bill has not yet passed but the House is already rejecting it. “We’re not going to bring up the Senate bill, we’re going to do it our own way, on our own very methodical way, because we want to make sure we get this stuff right,” said House Budget Committee chairman and former VP nominee Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin). “We want to have real triggers on the border, real triggers on what we call the e-verify.”   (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

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DOA - The Senate immigration bill has not yet passed but the House is already rejecting it. “We’re not going to bring up the Senate bill, we’re going to do it our own way, on our own very methodical way, because we want to make sure we get this stuff right,” said House Budget Committee chairman and former VP nominee Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin). “We want to have real triggers on the border, real triggers on what we call the e-verify.” (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Unanimous Decision - Anthony Foxx was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 27 to become Obama's term-two transportation secretary. The former Charlotte mayor must have really impressed the lawmakers who gave him the nod by a vote of 100-0.   Photo: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

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Unanimous Decision - Anthony Foxx was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 27 to become Obama's term-two transportation secretary. The former Charlotte mayor must have really impressed the lawmakers who gave him the nod by a vote of 100-0. Photo: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)