Senate GOP blocks election bill, setting up filibuster face-off
By Jordain Carney - 01/19/22 08:57 PM EST
Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a sweeping election bill, setting up a doomed push by Senate Democrats to try to change the chamber’s legislative filibuster.
Senators voted 49-51, falling short of 60 votes needed to advance the legislation that combines the Freedom to Vote Act, which would overhaul elections and campaign finance laws, with the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which strengthens the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Democrats spent the hours leading up to the vote making an 11th hour plea for the legislation — directed at both Republicans and their own members — warning that the votes would go down as a crucial moment in history.
“It is … a rare moment in history because we again are being called on as others have before us to speak to the fundamentals of freedom and democracy and to go on record by the end of the day when night falls as to where we stand in the sweep of history,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).
But no Republicans voted to move forward with the legislation, accusing Democrats of trying to take over elections.
“The president and his party will try to use fear and panic to smash the Senate, silence millions of Americans and size control of our democracy,” said Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/590509-senate-gop-blocks-election-bill-setting-up-filibuster-face-off
