Biden urges to ‘fortify democracy’
LAS VEGAS: President Joe Biden called for vigilance in protecting US democracy in a tribute to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as he seeks to rally Democrats behind votingrights legislation.
“Harry knew better than most how difficult democracy is, that the idea of America itself is under attack,” Mr Biden said on Saturday during a memorial service for the longtime Nevada senator in Las Vegas. “Protecting democracy requires vigilant stewardship.”
The appeal came as Mr Biden ratchets up his rhetoric around voting rights, including with a fiery condemnation of former President Donald Trump at an event marking the first anniversary of the Jan 6 insurrection at the US Capitol by his supporters.
Mr Biden and other Democrats are hoping to convince Republicans to allow them to pass laws that would push back against state-level efforts that limit absentee balloting and tighten identification requirements, or change the rules in the upper chamber to allow them to bypass a GOP filibuster. Republicans have increasingly pursued such efforts after Mr Trump’s defeat in the 2020 presidential election and his claims — without evidence — of vote fraud.
Reid changed Senate rules as majority leader to eliminate the 60-vote threshold for presidential nominations except those to the Supreme Court, allowing the confirmation of many judicial nominees submitted by former President Barack Obama.
Reid, who died last month at age 82, “knew the Senate had to adapt to the changing times,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said at the service. “He’s right there as we continue the work he dedicated his life to.”