Senate Republicans Block John Lewis Voting Rights Act Proposed By Democrats
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Senate Republicans on Wednesday voted to block debate on the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which fell nine votes short (51-49) of the 60 required to overcome a filibuster in the Senate. The bill, named after the late civil rights icon and former congressman, outlines a new formula that the Department of Justice could follow to pinpoint discriminatory voting patterns in both states and local jurisdictions. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was the only Republican senator that voted to advance debate on the bill. This marks the fourth time this year Senate Democrats have failed to advance voting rights legislation past Senate Republicans. Meanwhile, Republican-led state legislatures have passed a number of "election integrity" laws in response to election fraud concerns and former President Donald Trump’s claims of a stolen 2020 election. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, at least 19 states have enacted 33 such laws.
Coverage was prominently covered across the spectrum. Most left-rated voices said that the legislation being proposed by Democrats is "fundamental to protecting the right to vote." Some right-rated outlets portrayed the vote as "another loss" for President Joe Biden, labeling the voting rights act as "yet another Democrat attempt to hand the federal government control of America's elections."
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From the Center
U.S. Senate Democrats fail in latest bid to debate voting rights bill
U.S. Senate Democrats on Wednesday failed to advance voting-rights legislation for the fourth time this year due to overwhelming Republican opposition, raising potential ramifications for the 2022 congressional and 2024 presidential elections.
The Senate voted 50-49 in favor of starting debate on the "John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act" but fell short of the 60 votes needed under a procedural blocking maneuver known as a filibuster. Named for the late civil rights activist and congressman, the legislation would restore state voting requirements to prohibit racial discrimination that were struck down...
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Republicans Block a Second Voting Rights Bill in the Senate
Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked legislation to restore parts of the landmark Voting Rights Act weakened by Supreme Court rulings, making it the second major voting bill to be derailed by a G.O.P. filibuster in the past two weeks.
Despite receiving majority support, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, named for the civil rights activist and congressman who died last year, fell nine votes short of the 60 required to advance over Republican opposition.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Senate Democrats said they would intensify internal discussions about altering filibuster...
From the Right
Senate GOP blocks federal election law debate for fourth time this year
Senate Democrats tried and failed once again Wednesday to begin debate on a bill that would radically revamp America’s election laws, as all but two Republicans voted to block the measure from coming to the chamber floor.
Just 50 senators, including Lisa Murkowski (R-Ak.), voted to open debate on the legislation, known as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The bill needed 60 votes to clear the Senate’s legislative filibuster. Forty-nine senators voted to block debate, with Republican Mike Rounds of South Dakota not recording a vote.
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May 20th, 2024
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