Despite Reagan having opposed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the bill was extended for 25 years in 1982. He initially opposed the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and alluded to claims that King was associated with communists during his career, but signed a bill to create the holiday in 1983 after it passed both houses of Congress with veto-proof margins. In 1984, he signed legislation intended to impose fines for fair housing discrimination offenses. In March 1988, Reagan vetoed the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, but Congress overrode his veto. He had argued that the bill unreasonably increased the federal government's power and undermined the rights of churches and business owners. Later in September, legislation was passed to correct loopholes in the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Despite Reagan having opposed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 the bill was extended for 25 years in 1982 He initially opposed the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr Day and alluded to claims that King was associated with communists during his career but signed a bill to create the holiday in 1983 after it passed both houses of Congress with veto-proof margins In 1984 he signed legislation intended to impose fines for fair housing discrimination offenses In March 1988 Reagan vetoed the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 but Congress overrode his veto He had argued that the bill unreasonably increased the federal government's power and undermined the rights of churches and business owners Later in September legislation was passed to correct loopholes in the Fair Housing Act of 1968