The Biden administration suffered a embarrassing defeat on Wednesday as two Democrat senators refused to change rules to pass a bill to boost voting rights, leading to its collapse in the Senate.
The Democrats could not persuade Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona) and Joe Manchin (West Virginia) to change the Senate procedures for the bill and allow it to pass with a simple majority.
The Freedom to Vote Act: John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act had been a key proposal championed by the Biden administration, but vehemently opposed by Republicans who alleged it increased the possibility of voter fraud.
“Vice President Kamala Harris briefly presided over the Senate, able to break a tie in the 50-50 Senate if needed, but she left before the final vote. The rules change was rejected 52-48, with Manchin and Sinema joining the Republicans in opposition,” Associated Press reported.
Manchin and Sinema had said they support the legislation, but the Democrats were far short of the 60 votes needed to overcome the Republican filibuster. It failed to advanced 51-49.
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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer “put forward a rules change for a 'talking filibuster' on this one bill. It would require senators to stand at their desks and exhaust the debate before holding a simple majority vote, rather than the current practice that simply allows senators to privately signal their objections.”
In a statement, Biden said he would continue efforts to push the legislation. “I am profoundly disappointed that the Senate has failed to stand up for our democracy. I am disappointed—but I am not deterred. We will continue to advance necessary legislation and push for Senate procedural changes that will protect the fundamental right to vote.”
The Democrats’ bill would “make Election Day a national holiday, ensure access to early voting and mail-in ballots—which have become especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic—and enable the Justice Department to intervene in states with a history of voter interference, among other changes. It has passed the House” Associated Press reported.
