Members of Congress could clear the way to debate new federal voting rights legislature, but the measure still faces an uncertain future in the U.S. Senate. Leaders in the U.S. House wrangled over procedures to consider the John Lewis Voting Rights Act along with President Biden’s infrastructure plan. Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell introduced the voting rights bill last week at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge. That’s where Lewis was attacked by Alabama lawmen during “bloody Sunday. Sewell says the new voting rights measure should get support from both sides of the aisle.
“You know the voting rights act of 1965 passed with bipartisan support. It was reauthorized under Republican Presidents. President Ford, President Reagan, and yes, President George W. Bush,” Sewell contended
Even after the U.S. House voted in favor of the voting legislation, there doesn’t appear to be enough Republican support in the Senate to pass the measure outright. That’s raising the issue of doing away with, or altering, the current filibuster rules to allow passage with less GOP support. That could come in the form of doing away with the filibuster rule completely, cancelling the rule on the subject of civil or voting rights, or forcing Republicans to stage a “standing filibuster” which ends when lawmakers stop talking in marathon fashion. Sewell says the time to act is now…
“I think if there’s ever a reason to reform or revise the filibuster, it is for democratic bills such as this one, to ensure that every American has equal rights and equal access to the ballot box.”
The voting measure is being pursued in the face of State legislative action to craft laws that critics say obstruct the right to vote, particularly in minority districts. Special thanks to the Selma Sun newspaper for their collaboration on our coverage.