On Wednesday, all 50 Senate Republicans voted to filibuster the For the People Act, a sweeping election reform bill that would thwart state efforts to suppress voting. The Republican opposition could be overcome if Democrats changed the Senate rules and allowed the bill to pass by majority vote. But at least two Democrats — Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) — are opposed to eliminating the filibuster. That means any bill to protect voting rights needs at least 60 votes, including 10 or more Republicans.
I wish the Democratic Party would come up with more creative ways to "resist." Stacy Abrams has the right idea. For example, where ever Republicans enact voter ID requirements, fund massive ID drives combined with voter registration. If Republicans ban vote by mail or massively restrict it, then on voting day, organize drives to get people to polling places. Make voting day a federal holiday.
The fourth way is to adopt the approach used by Stacy Abrams in Georgia, and make sure everyone who is eligible to vote can do so. Support organizations like “Nope” that support Democracy in local races by organizing at the national level for volunteers to help with local races anywhere in the country. Vote the Republicans out of office.
I'm not holding out much hope for either Sinema or Manchin to see reason. Horribly, it seems as though we are on the precipice of permanent Republican control of the country. Fareed Zakaria had it right: We are becoming an illiberal democracy.
Can't the Biden administration put any more pressure on Manchin and Sinema to fall in line? Maybe that's not how things work, but it's frustrating to think that the President can't use his authority to make a stronger appeal for getting this legislation passed.
Whether the filibuster changes or not thanks Judd for offering a workaround like this. It is the kind of thinking that if adopted by our Congress but specifically the Senate that would provide protections for the right to vote. Minimizing the risk for those who are most at risk of losing an election is unfortunately what could make the difference.
I wish the Democratic Party would come up with more creative ways to "resist." Stacy Abrams has the right idea. For example, where ever Republicans enact voter ID requirements, fund massive ID drives combined with voter registration. If Republicans ban vote by mail or massively restrict it, then on voting day, organize drives to get people to polling places. Make voting day a federal holiday.
The fourth way is to adopt the approach used by Stacy Abrams in Georgia, and make sure everyone who is eligible to vote can do so. Support organizations like “Nope” that support Democracy in local races by organizing at the national level for volunteers to help with local races anywhere in the country. Vote the Republicans out of office.
I'm not holding out much hope for either Sinema or Manchin to see reason. Horribly, it seems as though we are on the precipice of permanent Republican control of the country. Fareed Zakaria had it right: We are becoming an illiberal democracy.
This gives me hope
https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-delivered-policy-address-regarding-voting-rights
Can't the Biden administration put any more pressure on Manchin and Sinema to fall in line? Maybe that's not how things work, but it's frustrating to think that the President can't use his authority to make a stronger appeal for getting this legislation passed.
One person, one vote… with the exception of Democrats, people of color or anyone who doesn’t go along with Republicans warped thinking.
Whether the filibuster changes or not thanks Judd for offering a workaround like this. It is the kind of thinking that if adopted by our Congress but specifically the Senate that would provide protections for the right to vote. Minimizing the risk for those who are most at risk of losing an election is unfortunately what could make the difference.
Let's make a deal.
I choose door #3 !