Biden and Harris discuss voting rights with Stacey Abrams in Atlanta
By Brett Samuels - 03/19/21 08:51 PM EDT
President Biden on Friday met with Stacey Abrams and Georgia lawmakers while in Atlanta to discuss voting rights in the face of legislation introduced by state GOP lawmakers in various states that would restrict access to the ballot.
Biden and Vice President Harris met for with Abrams, Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms during a stop at Emory University.
"They discussed state legislation in Georgia and across the country that would make it harder for people to vote, along with possible solutions to make voting more accessible," White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. "The President re-affirmed his commitment to re-authorizing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and his strong belief that every eligible voter should be able to vote and have their vote counted."
Biden and Harris traveled to Atlanta in the wake of shootings earlier this week that left eight people dead, six of whom were Asian. The president delivered a speech at Emory condemning violence against Asians, which has risen sharply during the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden used a portion of the speech to tout Georgia's elections officials standing up to pressure from former President Donald Trump and emphasizing the importance of the right to vote.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/544128-biden-and-harris-discuss-voting-rights-with-stacey-abrams-in-atlanta
