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Sen. Ted Cruz led Senate Republicans in blocking each effort to start out a debate on voting rights.
Transcript of the way it occurred from Sen. Schumer’s workplace as supplied to PoliticusUSA:
And now, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to instant consideration of S.2093, For the Folks Act of 2021.
[Sen. Cruz objected]
Mr. President, the Republican minority simply prevented the Senate from even having a debate—a debate, simply that—on voting rights on this nation.
I perceive that my Republican colleagues don’t approve of each facet of the Democratic invoice to guard voting rights. However absolutely there are areas the place our two events can discover some settlement.
Partisan gerrymandering, for example, has plagued our nation for too lengthy. It skews our democracy in direction of the extremes. It strips the American folks of their proper to have a really consultant authorities.
Voters ought to choose their politicians, not the opposite manner round. However in so many states, partisan legislators draw maps that artificially maximize the variety of seats that almost all occasion will win.
Some districts are so secure that probably the most excessive candidates can run and win with hardly any competitors. Certainly, my Republican colleagues would agree that partisan gerrymandering deserves a debate on the Senate ground. It’s a small a part of S.1, however one which has broad common assist—and the assist, by the way in which, of all 49 of my Democratic colleagues.
So I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the instant consideration of S.2670, Calendar 119, the Redistricting Reform Act of 2021.
[Sen. Cruz objected]
So, the American folks ought to perceive: Republicans simply blocked the Senate from even debating laws to finish partisan gerrymandering and make our Congress extra consultant of the folks.
Certainly our Republican colleagues, nevertheless, would agree that billions of {dollars} in nameless marketing campaign donations yearly just isn’t a perform of a wholesome democracy. Certainly they need to agree that America’s representatives ought to have just one boss—the folks—not the particular pursuits.
So I’m going to ask the Senate now to debate a easy measure to deliver a much-needed transparency to marketing campaign donations—simply transparency, not even limits, though I would definitely assist these.
On the very least, the American folks need to know who’s making an attempt to affect their representatives and the way strenuously.
So I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the instant consideration of S.2671, DISCLOSE Act of 2021, which has the assist of our total caucus.
[Sen. Cruz objected]
In conclusion, earlier than I flip it over to a few of my colleagues: Democrats simply tried to do one thing quite simple: we requested the Senate to start out debate – simply debate – on laws to guard voting rights and strengthen our democracy. Republicans mentioned no.
Democrats requested to debate a measure simply to stop partisan gerrymandering.
And admittedly, in my colleague’s response, he was everywhere in the lot: it’s good to have politicians do it; it’s not good to have politicians do it. It’s good to have judges do it; it’s not good to have judges do it. We might set requirements to make that in a state like Wisconsin—the place 53 p.c of the folks voted for a Democratic member of the state meeting—solely a 3rd of the districts had been Democratic, drawn by a Republican legislature.
So Republicans have mentioned no, they don’t even wish to debate these points.
Democrats requested to debate a measure to deliver much-needed transparency to marketing campaign donations and get particular curiosity darkish cash out of politics. Republicans—nonetheless—mentioned no.
Chuck Schumer Was Proving A Level To Joe Manchin And Kristen Sinema
Schumer’s remarks make it clear that the train was directed at these few Senate Democrats who’re blocking voting rights progress:
Let there be no mistake about what’s going on right here. We have now reached some extent on this chamber the place Republicans seem to oppose any measure, any measure—regardless of how commonsense—to guard voting rights and strengthen our democracy.
Let there be no mistake, each inside this chamber and out of doors of it: Republicans have fashioned a wall, a complete wall, of whole opposition in opposition to progress on voting rights in the USA Senate. Even on a problem as sacred as the best to vote, Senate Republicans refuse to permit even a debate. They’re afraid to debate it.
Democrats Will Be Taking Up Voting Rights In September
It isn’t a coincidence that Schumer tried to start out a debate on voting rights after the Senate handed the framework for the funds invoice. The Majority Chief left the choice large open of including the voting rights protections to the funds invoice when the Senate comes again in September.
Sen. Schumer will doubtless attempt to get a filibuster carve out for voting rights in September, but when that fails, search for him to pursue the logical path of including voting rights protections to the funds invoice as a result of Democrats are going to have to do that alone.
Mr. Easley is the managing editor. He’s additionally a White Home Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Diploma in Political Science. His graduate work targeted on public coverage, with a specialization in social reform actions.
Awards and Skilled Memberships
Member of the Society of Skilled Journalists and The American Political Science Affiliation
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