As Senator John McCain addresses the NAACP national convention in Cincinnati, we're betting he's not going to mention his own voting record on civil rights.
Did you know---
McCain has earned an F from the NAACP for every grading period during his 25 years in the U.S. House and Senate. His record has only gotten worse over the years – from a career high of voting in agreement with the NAACP 50% of the time in 1985-86 to his all-time low of 7% in 2005-2006.
McCain voted AGAINST 1983 legislation establishing the federal holiday marking Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Back home in Arizona, he supported Gov. Evan Mecham's decision in 1987 to rescind an executive order in which Mecham’s predecessor created a state holiday for King. [HR 3706, Vote 289, 8/2/83; CQ 1983]
McCain called the Confederate Flag a symbol of heritage: 'Some view it as a symbol of slavery...others view it as a symbol of heritage. Personally, I see the battle flag as a symbol of heritage,'" McCain said. [New York Times, 4/20/00, San Diego Union Tribune, 1/18/00]
McCain Consistently Voted AGAINST The Civil Rights Act Of 1990. In 1990, McCain voted against a bill designed to address employer discrimination at least 4 times. [S 2104, Vote #304, 10/24/90; Vote #276, Vote #275, 10/16/90; Vote #161, 7/18/90; Washington Post, 7/9/90]
In 1985, McCain Voted AGAINST Imposing Sanctions Against South Africa. [HR 1460, Vote 130, 6/5/85]
McCain Voted AGAINST Addressing The Disproportionate Number Of Minority Children In Prison. In 1999, McCain voted to table an amendment that required States to address juvenile delinquency prevention efforts and system improvement efforts designed to reduce the disproportionate number of juvenile members of 'racial minority groups' who come in contact with juvenile justice system. [S 254, Vote #130, 5/19/99]
McCain Repeatedly Voted AGAINST Raising The Minimum Wage. In the senate, John McCain voted at least eight times against measures to increase the minimum wage. [HR 2, Vote #23, 1/24/07; S.Amdt. 44 to S. 256, Vote #26, 3/07/05; S.Amdt. 128 to S. 256, Vote #27, 3/07/05; S.Amdt. 3079 to S.Amdt. 2951 to S.Con.Res. 101, Vote #76, 4/07/00; S.Amdt. 1383 to S. 1429, Vote #239, 7/30/99; S. 96, Vote #94, 4/28/99; S .Amdt. 3540 to S.Amdt. 3559 to S. 1301, Vote S.Amdt. 4272 to H.R. 3448, Vote #183, 7/06/96]
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