Faced with a cry to “save American democracy,” Biden’s administration announced new steps to ensure access to the ballot. This comes amid growing complaints from civil rights activists that the White House has not done enough to combat Republican-led state legislatures trying to restrict voting procedures.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden met with civil right leaders in the West Wing. Vice President Kamala Harris announced $25 Million in new expenditures by the Democratic National Committee to support voting access in advance of the 2022 midterm elections.
Biden and his staff stress the importance of continuing legal efforts to protect voting rights. After the Senate Republicans blocked a comprehensive election overhaul last month, they have promised to push for major legislative reforms. According to the president, he will speak extensively on voting rights and would be “going on-the-road” on this topic.
Friday’s White House announcement announced that Biden would be traveling to Philadelphia Tuesday to discuss “actions in order to protect the sacred and constitutional right to vote.”
Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, stated that the president would “go to democracy’s birthplace to argue for the moral imperative to make voting more accessible to all citizens of the country.”
Biden’s party has seen growing dissatisfaction from members of its own party, who see GOP voting actions as an existential threat both to democracy and Democrats.
After a Supreme Court ruling that limited minorities’ ability to challenge state laws they believe are discriminatory under the Voting Rights Act, pressure only mounted. Biden brought in outside advocates to meet at the White House, and has sought advice from advisers about the best strategy to combat new laws.
Marc Morial, the head of the National Urban League, said, “We won’t leave any stone unturned for American democracy,” as he stood alongside the Rev. After Thursday’s meeting, Al Sharpton and other civil right leaders were present. “This is an attack upon a fundamental value that undergirds our country. We see an attempt to impose a system called American apartheid when we look at the current state of affairs in this country.
According to a White House summary, Harris and Biden assured civil rights leaders that they would press Congress to pass voting legislation while doing all within their power to ensure full voter participation in elections.
Harris’ speech on Thursday, which was to lead the administration’s response in voting issues, was expected be her first in a series.
Harris stated that Harris’ campaign was based on the firm belief in everyone’s vote being counted — that every vote counts. Harris stated, “We want you to vote. That is because democracy works best when everyone is involved.”
Many states have passed new voting laws. Others are still debating them. This was after Republicans used the false claim of massive voter corruption in the 2020 election by former President Donald Trump as an excuse to pass new legislation restricting ballot access.
The new laws have made Democrats nervous about how they might affect turnout next year’s midterm election. This is a time when Democrats are trying to maintain narrow margins in both Congress chambers.
Harris stated, “Folks it is never too late to defend your rights,” Harris said, “With the new laws passed or being attempted to pass, it is important to get started now in order to be strong.”
Some Democrats and activists for voting rights believe the White House didn’t start as soon as they expected.
“Our backs are against a wall. This is the moment. Sherrilyn Ifill is the president of NAACP Legal Defense Fund. “I told President: We won’t be able litigate our way to escape this threat to Black citizens.”
Ifill stated, “We must get the president to use his voice.”
Already, Democrats on Capitol Hill tried to respond by introducing a comprehensive voting and elections bill. It was blocked by the Senate Republicans. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was also rejected by most Republicans. This bill would have restored sections of the Voting Rights Act that were previously weakened by the Supreme Court.
This impasse has brought more attention to the Senate filibuster. If left in place, it would be an impediment to passing broad-based voting bills in Congress. Republicans being unanimously opposed, it would be necessary to eliminate or modify the filibuster in order for two bills that are still on the agenda to have any chance of passing. Moderate Democrats such as Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia and Senator Kyrsten Sinema in Arizona have so far expressed their reluctance at changing Senate rules that preserve the filibuster.
Officials say that while the West Wing is still hopeful for a legislative breakthrough they have been shifting their focus to other measures to protect voting rights, such as legal action in the Department of Justice or in individual states. A focus will also be placed on increasing voter turnout. Aides point to the success that Democrats had in getting votes out last year at the height of the pandemic.
Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, stated this week that Biden believes that voting is a fundamental American right. He will use every tool at his disposal to promote that.”
Officials acknowledge, however, that it is always more difficult to turn out voters in an election year other than one for the presidency. A few frustrated aides have expressed concern at the Senate impasse and believe that too much attention has been given to federal legislative measures. They believe civic and business groups could also be involved in fighting voting restrictions.
Last week, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of Arizona voting limits that were discriminatory under federal Voting Rights Act. This was the second major ruling by the Supreme Court in eight years. Civil rights groups and liberal dissenting justices claim it weakened civil rights-era legislation that was meant to eliminate discrimination in voting.
Despite the lack of evidence of fraud, many Republicans still question the outcome. A number of Republican elected officials have responded to the question by placing restrictions on early voting and mail-in ballots. Some liberals also demanded more from Biden.
Cliff Albright, cofounder of Black Voters Matter Fund, stated that “we’re beyond the point where we have lost faith that he will do it on his own.” “Where is your voting rights tour?” This has already been called out by people. This trend is only going to continue.”
