WASHINGTON — Democrats in the Senate are pushing to try and change the rules in order to get a voting rights bill through the chamber.
The bill would set more rules from the federal government over what states can and can’t do when it comes to how they run elections. Democrats say the bill would expand voting access, while Republicans say it infringes on the states’ constitutional rights to run their own elections.
Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) believes Democrats are advancing on this to try and save face politically after the president’s Build Back Better bill stalled in the Senate. “I’ve said early on they will fall back to (this bill) when this other stuff starts to flounder,” Braun said to Fox Business. Trying to federalize election law. They’ve got get something done politically.”
Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) argued the Senate must act to “protect democracy and safeguard the right to vote.” Braun is with his fellow Republicans in saying the bill is unconstitutional. Democrats are now trying to force a vote to change the rules that would end the Senate filibuster, which requires any legislation that cannot be advanced through budget reconciliation to have 60 votes to move out of Debate.
But, in order to pass such a measure, every Democrat needs to be on board. Right now, that’s not the case which Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kirsten Sinema (D-AZ) both voicing support for the filibuster rule.
“They’ve (Democrats) have egg on their face from Build Back Better,” Braun added. “Hopefully Sinema and Manchin will stand firm there.”
