Biden Backs Filibuster Reform in Voting Rights Speech
Summary from the AllSides News Team
President Joe Biden backed Senate Democrats’ proposed filibuster reforms in a voting rights speech on Tuesday.
Speaking in Atlanta, Georgia at a consortium of historically black colleges and universities, Biden said Republicans had ""weaponized and abused" the filibuster, and voiced support for "changing the Senate rules whichever way they need to be changed to prevent a minority of senators from blocking action on voting rights." Vice President Kamala Harris added that the Constitution doesn't give "a minority the right to unilaterally block legislation." The remarks seem to back a plan by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to force a vote on election reform this week. Should Republicans block that bill, Schumer plans to open debate on filibuster reform, which would make it easier for the Senate to overcome the 60-vote threshold to end a filibuster. Key to the debate is West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, whose vote Democrats need to pass legislation opposed by Republicans. Manchin doubled down on his support for the filibuster ahead of Biden’s speech.
Some right-rated outlets focused on the extent of the proposed reforms, and highlighted Republican voices who defended their election reform efforts against criticisms from Democrats. A Fox News (Right) homepage headline said, “Biden to push MAJOR Senate rules change to pass legislative priority.” Most reports from left- and center-rated outlets highlighted the details of Biden's speech, and some framed GOP-backed election reform efforts as restrictive. Updated 1/11/22 at 4:56 p.m. with details of the speech.
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