House Majority Whip James Clyburn (DS.C.) said in a new interview that it would be “catastrophic” to use the filibuster to deny voting rights as a sweeping election bill awaits consideration in the Senate.
“There is no way under the sun that in 2021 we will allow the filibuster to be used to deny voting rights. That’s just not going to happen. That would be disastrous, ”Clyburn told The Guardian in an interview published Sunday, just days after the House voted largely along party lines to pass the For The People Act, also known as HR 1.
While Clyburn clarified that he is not “going to tell you to get rid of the filibuster,” he said the party “would do well to develop a Manchin-Sinema rule on how to get around the filibuster, as this has on race and civil rights. “
The comments come after Sens. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) Manchin Sunday shows preview: Manchin makes the round after pivotal role in coronavirus debate Biden takes victory round after senate passes coronavirus aid package Schumer insists Democrats unite after chaotic coronavirus debate MORE (DW.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) Have been criticized by liberals for their opposition to certain issues supported by some of the left, including the elimination of the filibuster. Lawmakers were also recently among the seven Democrats who voted against a proposal last week to increase the federal hourly minimum wage to $ 15.
“If Manchin and Sinema like being in the majority, they better figure out a way to get around the filibuster when it comes to voting and civil rights,” Clyburn told The Guardian.
HR 1, backed by Democrats and the White House, contains a number of provisions that advocates say are aimed at protecting voting rights and electoral integrity after former President Trump
Donald Trump Biden Signs Executive Order To Increase Voting Rights Albany Times Union Editorial Calls For Cuomo Attorneys To Resign Warn Restrictive Voting Bills Could End Georgia’s Record Turnout MORE For months, he has been pushing unproven claims about the presidential election in his bid to overturn the results of the November race.
Those provisions include making election day a federal holiday, requiring states to provide voters with post-in ballots and vote at least 15 days in advance. Another section included in the bill, aimed at tackling partisan gerrymandering, would charge independent committees with signing congressional districts.
However, members of the GOP have largely criticized the legislation, portraying it as a seizure of power by Democrats. Former Vice President Mike Pence
Michael (Mike) Richard Pence Sunday Shows Preview: Manchin Makes The Round After Central Role In Coronavirus Relief Debate DeSantis, Pence Tied In Republican Poll 2024 Pence Talks About Limbaugh Documentary Series For Fox Nation MORE last week described the measure as “unconstitutional, reckless and anti-democratic”.
Voting advocates have also urged Congress to take action against the John Lewis
John Lewis Advocates warn that restrictive ballots could end Georgia’s ‘Bloody Sunday’ record turnout to be commemorated for the first time without John Lewis worrying about Democrats that the Senate will be the graveyard for the Biden agenda LAKE Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would require states that have been found to have repeatedly violated voting rights in recent memory, to receive federal approval to make voting changes. The legislation would reinstate a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that was thrown out by the Supreme Court years ago.
President Biden
Joe BidenBiden signs executive order to increase access to votes Myanmar military carries out violent night raids Confidence in coronavirus vaccines has grown and majority now say they want it MORE comments are also expected to be made on the measure on Sunday.
The push comes now that a number of state lawmakers across the country have passed legislation that would restrict voter access, including a series of Republican-backed bills in Georgia.