Star-Telegram: Texans react to Holder’s move

Texas Gov. Rick Perry

“I commend the Department of Justice for its support of re-instituting ‘pre-clearance’ requirements for Texas election laws. Texas has a long and unfortunate history of disenfranchising voters. Most recently, the D.C. District Court found that the 2011 redistricting maps drawn by Texas Republicans intentionally discriminated against minorities, and the court also determined that the state’s voter photo ID law discriminated against Texans living in poverty, many of whom are minorities. The recent refusal by Republican leaders to make substantive changes to redistricting maps recommended by minority groups and their obsession with creating new hurdles for voters ... shows that Texas should continue to be subject to pre-clearance.”

State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie

“Attorney General Holder’s recent announcement is just the latest example of his politicization of the Department of Justice. Holder’s refusal to accept the judgment of the U.S. Supreme Court regarding pre-clearance continues the Department’s longstanding pattern of refusing to follow the law. Likewise, Holder continues to attack voter ID laws, even though the Supreme Court has concluded that voter ID laws are supported by multiple interests that are ‘unquestionably relevant to the state’s interest in protecting the integrity and reliability of the electoral process.’”

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas

“I’ll fight # Obama’s effort to control our elections & I’ll fight against cheating at ballot box.”

U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin

“It is evident that Attorney General Eric Holder and President Obama will stop at nothing to continue their assault on Texas. Their latest attempt to attack Texans’ voting rights and further target the state completely undermines the Supreme Court and the will of the people. The lengths the Justice Department is willing to go in order to force its own agenda is astounding.”