DURHAM, NC (June 27, 2023) – Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04), released the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision to reject the “independent state legislature” theory in Moore v. Harper.

“I commend the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today to preserve the fabric of our democracy and reject the fringe independent state legislature theory,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “For far too long, Republican lawmakers in North Carolina’s General Assembly have attempted to violate our state constitution’s free and fair election clause by consistently crafting gerrymandered congressional maps that disenfranchise and misrepresent North Carolina’s voters.

“The ‘independent state legislature’ theory would have created a dangerous precedent nationwide by preventing necessary oversight and erasing the system of checks and balances that have protected our democracy for over 200 years. But today’s decision affirmed that state legislatures cannot violate the will of the people, and our state courts are an important safeguard to inhibit these undemocratic power grabs.

“Although this decision is a victory for our democracy and for voters across the country, comprehensive voter protections for all Americans are long overdue. We must pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom of Vote Act to ensure that all voters have a voice in our federal elections.”