COLUMBIA, S.C. - Equal voting rights should no longer be a controversial topic, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Tuesday during a trip to the Statehouse.

Jackson met with the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus and members of the clergy to urge support for the extension and enforcement of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. Parts of the act are set to expire in 2007.

"The voting rights extension should be beyond controversy. As we fight and die for democracy in Iraq, our own democratic rights should not be in jeopardy. It is really insulting to America that we have to go through this battle once again," Jackson said after the meeting.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed to ensure that no American citizen's right to vote is blocked by procedures or other barriers. The act outlawed literacy tests, the poll-tax, English only elections, and racial gerrymandering, methods used to disenfranchise blacks, especially in the South.

Temporary aspects of the act requires states with a history of discriminatory voting practices to get clearance from the federal Department of Justice before any change in their election laws or regulations can go into effect. These temporary aspects of the act were to expire in 1982, but were extended for 25 years. The act has been amended in 1970, 1975 and 1982.

"We must continue to fight for equal access to voting for all Americans," Jackson said.

Rep. David Mack, the chairman of the Black Caucus, said Jackson's appearance plays a big role in the group's efforts.

"It's a coming together. We're working hard to make sure we're on the same page," said Mack, D-North Charleston.

Jackson also discussed the efforts of his Rainbow Push coalition to improve access to health care and education for black Americans, as well as his support of the parents of Terri Schiavo, the severely brain-damaged Florida woman whose feeding tube was removed at her husband's request 12 days ago against the wishes of her parents.