Senate Democrats unveil new voting rights bill

[demmiblue]

Source: The Hill

A group of Senate Democrats unveiled new voting rights legislation on Tuesday in another attempt by the party to pass sweeping changes to federal elections in the face of a GOP filibuster.

The new bill, called the Freedom to Vote Act, was released by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), along with several co-sponsors, including Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Jon Tester (Mont.) and Raphael Warnock (Ga.), according to a statement from Klobuchar’s office shared with The Hill.

The legislation builds on a framework proposed earlier this year by Manchin as well as the sweeping For the People Act, which was blocked in June by Senate Republicans.

The new bill, which still faces an uphill battle in the Senate to reach the 60 votes needed to overcome a GOP filibuster, would implement an array of changes to federal elections, including making Election Day a federal holiday, and implementing an automatic online voter registration system in each state.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/572096-senate-democrats-unveil-new-voting-rights-bill

[NurseJackie]

1. We're getting there... it may not be perfect, but something is better than nothing.

And we can always use that as a strong foundation to build-onto later. I'm feeling optimistic.

[SouthernDem4ever]

2. They better pass something or we'll end up like Belarus

We're half way there already.

[Funtatlaguy]

3. If Manchin & Sinema will agree to filibuster carve out, Democracy

Will be saved.
Otherwise…

[ouija]

4. You mean there will not be 10 Repukes to vote for this?

[rampartc]

9. nope.

susie will be concerned enough to water it down, but not even she will vote for it.

the repubs like that their state legislatures control voting.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Mitch stole the Garland nomination and rushed Kav & Barrett, we must grab power and pass this

It's been a one-way street and we rarely get anything passed and never face a level playing field.

[Deminpenn]

6. Merkley was on MSNBC last night

He said if Manchin and co can't round up 10 R votes, then there will a change to the Senate rules whether that's a carve out for voting rights or change to the filibuster process or something similar and it will happen.

[mcar]

7. I think the Senate Dems are working toward

a filibuster carve-out for issues like this.

[Marthe48]

8. I hope it is not only unveiled, but leaves the showroom!

Get rid of the filibuster, the pretend one that is holding things up. Let's go, please, let's go!

[gab13by13]

10. I told you so,

I said what I would do if I were Chuck Schumer, said so months ago. I would carve up S1 into individual bills and then bring them up for votes rapid fire. When Republicans vote down every bill the go to Manchin and Sinema and tell them you expect their votes for a filibuster carve out.

This is basically the same principle as mine, Manchin is a co-sponsor and his bill is going to get shot down leaving no option except for a filibuster carve out.

I hate being right, I love being told I am wrong, or impatient.

By the Bye I listened to Chuck Schumer yesterday talking about the new bill and his final comment was, "time is of the essence."

Can I repeat what Chuck said? Time is of the essence. Imagine that.

[Thunderbeast]

11. Rather than the national holiday...

I would much rather see universal vote by mail. States that have implemented VBM have higher election participation and fewer opportunities for mischief in allocation of polling resources. There is NO EXCUSE for long lines at the polls (usually in minority precincts).

This bill also leaves out re-districting reform.

State legislatures can no longer be trusted to manage elections without Federal guidelines. Fair elections require that the process be taken out of the partisan food fight.