Biden pushes poll reform in Georgia
Dems, Republicans lock horns on voting
President Joe Biden plunged into a historic, politically explosive battle on voting reforms yesterday with a speech in Georgia, the heart of the US civil rights struggle.
Coming off a powerful speech last week to mark the Jan 6 anniversary of an attempt by Donald Trump’s supporters to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Mr Biden was to argue in the state capital Atlanta that Congress has to pass laws to protect the country’s democracy.
Democrats have accused Republican state legislatures of enacting laws that would restrict the voting rights of minorities and curtail early voting and mail-in voting.
The president is joining the fray at a time when his approval ratings are stuck in the low 40s and Republicans are predicted to take over Congress in November midterm elections.
“He believes the stakes should be raised. He wouldn’t be going to Georgia... if he wasn’t ready,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.
Democrats say there’s an existential need for reforms, following the unprecedented chaos of 2020, brought on by Mr Trump’s attempt to dodge defeat.
According to Democrats, bills under consideration would prevent cheating, ranging from partisan drawing of election districts to the use of security measures as a way to dampen voter turnout in pro-Democrat districts.
The laws would also end the potential ability of state authorities to rig results under arcane existing rules. The problem is that Republicans are just as adamantly opposed, leaving Democrats with only the socalled “nuclear option” of ending the filibuster.
The Senate is split 50:50, with Vice President Kamala Harris coming in for the Democrats on tie breaks. Under an unofficial convention, however, either side can declare a so-called filibuster, automatically bumping up the required majority from 51 to at least 60.
Republicans are clear they will use the filibuster to kill the voting rights bills, which they argue would undermine democracy by shifting power to the federal government.