Last week Senate Republicans blocked Democratic legislation known as the Freedom to Vote Act, which focuses on increasing voting rights. It was voted down 51-49.
CBS News reported that 60 votes were needed for the legislation to pass. All 50 Republicans in the Senate voted against the bill. Seeing that 60 votes was impossible, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) changed his vote to "no" in a maneuver that will allow the bill to be presented again, CBS News said. All 50 Republicans voted against advancing the measure to debate.
The bill was created in March following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Some voters on both sides of the aisle were wary of the bill, and the Democrats made several revisions which would include changing the 60-vote filibuster rule. The bill was strongly opposed by Republicans. Election Transparency Initiative called the legislation the “Freedom to Cheat Act.”
The report by ETI says the measure would abolish voter ID protections, force states to register those in the country illegally, allow 16-year-olds to vote and soften safeguards meant to detect fraud. Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a Republican who currently chairs the Election Transparency Initiative, spoke out against the bill.
“For years Democrats have continued their media-assisted ‘voter suppression’ myth to advance bills like Senate Bill 2747 despite continuing improvements in access to both registration and voting,” Cuccinelli said. “It has never been easier to vote for every American than it is today, a fact of which we should all be proud.”
Progressive critics say rule changes in states such as Texas and Georgia have made it more difficult for minorities to vote.
CNN reported that the “slimmed down” version of the bill would make Election Day a public holiday, ease voting registrations, allow for mail-in ballot requests and early voting in federal elections.
NPR political correspondent Juana Summers reported that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) had been trying to gain support from Republicans for weeks based on changes, but failed to do so. Manchin and other Democrats opposed earlier versions of the bill. Summers said part of the idea with revised legislation was to show the whole party was on board.
CNN reported Oct. 18 that a group of Democratic congressmen had recently sent a letter to the Senate recommending passage of the bill. The group was led by Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas).
“America is strongest when our democratic institutions are strong, when they reflect and project the confidence of our people,” the letter read, according to CNN. “The Freedom to Vote Act can fortify our democracy and bring Americans of all political stripes back into the town square, where the vitality of our ideas and experiences can be shared with respect, dynamism and hope for the future."
