The Briefing Room
General Category => Politics/Government => Topic started by: mystery-ak on May 13, 2021, 05:10:28 pm
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Sweeping election reform bill faces Senate buzz saw
By Jordain Carney - 05/13/21 06:00 AM EDT
One of Democrats’ biggest priorities — a sweeping bill to overhaul elections — is facing long odds of passing the Senate.
Democrats are set to meet Thursday to talk about the For the People Act, a roughly 800-page measure that would set national standards aimed at expanding access to voting. Progressives view the bill as a must-pass, and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has vowed to bring it to the floor.
Senate Democrats are tamping down expectations for Thursday’s meeting, characterizing it as largely educational after the Senate Rules Committee held an hours-long markup Tuesday full of high drama, and hope to use the gathering as a way to solidify unity around the bill.
“My goal is … to convince everybody that we have to be together on this. We were the subject of a physical attack on Jan. 6 that was designed to disenfranchise 80 million people,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who has been spearheading the bill in the Senate, said the meeting will allow members who haven’t been involved with the legislation to ask questions.
“It’s just a kind of a ‘let’s make sure we understand what this bill is,’ ” he said. “Between now and when we can get it to the floor, we’re totally open to other insights.”
more
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/553266-sweeping-election-reform-bill-faces-senate-buzzsaw
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We have to pass it to see what is in it.
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The whole thing should face a dumster fire.