League of Women Voters ^®
of South Carolina

SC Daily Gazette
By Lynn Teague, VP, Issues & Action, League of Women Voters of South Carolina

We often say that the people we commemorate on Memorial Day risked everything for our highest ideals. I am certain that neither my uncle nor the people who grieved losing him for the rest of their lives would have felt that he died so that those who already hold power could silence everyone who disagrees with them in a winner-take-all parody of representative democracy.

H.5683, a bill developed in Washington, D.C. designed to predetermine the outcome of our state's congressional elections, is a betrayal of the highest ideals of our state and nation. We should reflect on that while we celebrate this most sober of national holidays.

SC Daily Gazette

To end the potential of debate dragging on indefinitely, the House Rules Committee adopted new rules Monday night limiting every legislator to one amendment and debate on each to three minutes. The full House then voted 73-33 on a resolution that put the changes in place for the duration of the debate.A judge, however, could require all discarded amendments to be heard. “The League wants to see public transparency in the process because it’s just so important,” league lobbyist Lynn Teague said of the lawsuit’s goal.The lawsuit alleges the hastily called meeting violated the state Freedom of Information Act, which requires public notice of meetings at least 24 hours in advance. Notice of the meeting was posted just eight minutes before the committee convened, and the meeting ended before reporters could make it to the room.

Friday the General Assembly begins a special session called by the Governor for the purpose of redrawing our congressional districts and sending our primary elections into chaos to reflect the change. This will be a heartbreaking exercise for anyone who cares for all of our state’s people and for our nation’s highest ideals.