Photo: NBC
President Joe Biden has asked the US Senate to abolish The filibuster rule so he can pass two voting right bills impeded by Republicans.
Biden mentioned this plea in his speech, and the voting right bill will allow Americans access to our ballot box. The president said he was “tired of being quiet.”
“Today, I’m making it clear,” said the president, to protect our democracy, I support changing the Senate rules, whichever way they need to be changed, to prevent a minority of senators from blocking action on voting rights.”
However, this firm persuasion may not be enough to get the voting rights bill to its destination.
The Senate is evenly divided between the two parties. They need all 50 Democratic senators’ backing for rule changes so that they can pass legislation through, which is why it’s imperative Chuck Schumer, as minority leader, gains their support.
Joe Machin, one of those senators, has decided what changes will or won’t happen. He says he’ll only support rule reform if it can get bipartisan approval, and even then, there are limitations as Republicans stay united against filibuster reformation.
Kamala Harris, current vice-president of the United States, has proposed that Senate Democrats shouldn’t allow a filibuster to stop progress on voting rights legislation.
“The American people have waited long enough. The Senate must act,” said Vice-President Harris. Democratic senator Chuck Schumer said earlier that Congress would act on voting rights “as soon as tomorrow.”
Biden encouraged election officials to protect American voting rights. He believes that they must decide whether or not to be part of this responsibility and take a stand for what’s right.
“History has never been kind to those who have sided with voter suppression over voters’ rights,” Biden said. “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? This is the moment to decide.”
