The House Republican leadership has announced it will postpone indefinitely a vote to extend critical sections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act for 25 years. Congressional reporters say the decision was in response to intense protest from rank-and-file House Republicans at a closed-door conference meeting.

Can't get a vote on making sure provisions of the voting rights act continue? It kind of puts a crimp in any plans to celebrate during the upcoming Fourth of July, doesn't it?

The National Education Association urges calls to 1-866-808-0065 (toll free) to urge Representatives to bring the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 (H.R. 9) to the floor before the July 4 recess.