Rep. Adrian Smith expressed concern that House Democrats viewed the issue as "an opportunity to implement an expansive federal law which would effectively block popular methods for protecting the integrity of our elections, such as voter ID laws."

The new voting rights bill was passed by the House last week on what was essentially a party-line vote.

The 228-187 count reflected unanimous Democratic support and the vote of a single Republican.

"It is important to note that our secretary of state aggressively opposes this change of law,  as it would potentially federalize our local elections," Rep. Jeff Fortenberry said.

At issue was a bill that would have restored voting rights protections that were erased when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down provisions authorizing federal oversight of elections in states with a history of discrimination against minority citizens. 

"I am in full support of the Voting Rights Act to protect persons from the injustice of structural discrimination," Fortenberry said.  

"We are fortunate in Nebraska to have secure and fair elections," he said.

Rep. Don Bacon said he conferred with Secretary of State Bob Evnen, who assured him that "our current process has protections for all Nebraskans regardless of race or color."

The House proposal would have subjugated "any efforts by Nebraskans related to improving our election process to federal bureaucratic red tape and cumbersome oversight," he said.

"The Constitution gives states the responsibility to govern their elections and this bill subordinates Nebraska's responsibilities to the U.S. Justice Department, an unwarranted intrusion, since Nebraska's elections are managed just fine," Bacon said.

"The 1965 Voting Rights Act is still in effect other than a small portion that the Supreme Court found unconstitutional," he said.

All three Republican House members responded this week to requests for statements about their votes.

The bill is virtually certain to die in the Senate.

In supporting the proposal, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at least 23 states have enacted "voter suppression laws, including voter purges, strict ID requirements, poll closures and voter intimidation" in recent years. 

The Supreme Court decision overturning the 1965 protection came in 2013.