U.S Senate vote on passing Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a historic federal law enacted by the United States Congress to end racial discrimination in voting, particularly in Southern states where literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation had long been used to block many Black Americans from voting. Passed during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, the legislation gained momentum after the violent attacks on civil rights marchers in Selma shocked the nation and intensified public support for reform. The law empowered the federal government to oversee voter registration in areas with records of discrimination and required certain states and local governments to receive federal approval before altering voting laws.(Historic Vids)