Biden Endorses Filibuster Reform To Support Voting Rights Legislation
Biden Endorses Filibuster Reform To Support Voting Rights Legislation
“Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace?" president asks
President Biden traveled to Atlanta, Ga., Tuesday, to deliver one of his most forceful speeches to date on guaranteeing voting rights — as well as to explicitly endorse reform to the Senate filibuster to ensure passage of voting rights legislation.
Biden gave his speech in a state which both passed one of the most restrictive and controversial voting suppression laws in the country, as well as having been home to the legendary congressman and civil rights leader, the late John Lewis.
The president said that he will “defend our democracy against all enemies foreign and domestic,” and will demand a yes or no vote from senators. He repeated again that history won’t be kind to those who oppose, putting strong heat on Republican senators.
Biden reminded his audience that 16 of the Republicans who voted to extend the Voting Rights Act in 2006 are still serving in the Senate.
Those include Sens Lindsay Graham, of South Carolina, John Thune, of South Dakota, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Chuck Grassley, of Iowa, Richard Shelby, of Alabama, Susan Collins, of Maine and Richard Burr, of North Carolina.
“Do you want to be on the side of Dr. King or George Wallace? Do you want to be on the side of John Lewis or Bull Connor? Do you want to be on the side of Abraham Lincoln or Jefferson Davis?” asked Biden invoking historical figures who have stood on opposite sides of civil rights.
The president ended his remarks with “May God Bless America and protect the sacred right to vote,” a change from his usual farewell “and may he protect our troops.”
However, Senate Democrats have brought up more than one voting rights bill in recent months — only to watch their Republican counterparts filibuster each time.
“We must find a way to pass these voting rights bills. Debate them, vote, let the majority prevail. And if that bare minimum is blocked, we have no option but to change the Senate rules — including getting rid of the filibuster,” Biden said.
Reactions to Biden's speech ran the gamut.
“Kudos to President Biden and VP Harris for denouncing voter suppression and supporting a filibuster carve out for voting rights. It’s now time for every senator who still believes in free and fair elections to get this done. No time to waste,” posted former labor secretary and progressive YouTuber and influencer, Robert Reich.
Sen Mark Warner (D-Va) picked out a quote from the speech, “The leaders of the world – adversaries and allies alike – are watching to see if we can meet this moment,” and commenting, “Appreciated the words of @POTUS this afternoon. The time to act to preserve our democracy is now.”
Republican senators should not be angry that Biden called them out, according to Sherrilyn Ifill, head of the of NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, noting how Biden revealed that he’s been reaching out to the same lawmakers quietly for some time.
“And no crocodile tears please from any Senator about being called out today. @POTUS Biden made clear that he has tried the ‘behind the scenes' quiet pressure approach for months. Today’s call-out is long overdue,” she posted.
Others were not necessarily sold.
“President Joe Biden, freshly elected, changing his position on the filibuster might have moved the needle in the Senate Might have It’s a much steeper climb now, as his approval rating downward trend clearly shows,” tweeted CNN's Kasie Hunt.
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