08/05/2021

House Democrats Set to Introduce New Voting Rights Bill

Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is expected to oppose the revised John Lewis bill

House Democrats are expected to introduce new voting rights legislation tomorrow named for the late Rep. John Lewis in an effort to combat a wave of voting restrictions proposed in Republican-led states.

House Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) said last Friday that the new John Lewis Voting Rights and Advancement Act (H.R. 4) will bolster the Voting Rights Act by requiring all 50 states to get permission from the Justice Department before making any changes to voting laws or putting in place new voting requirements.

“There’s tremendous sentiment in our caucus for expanding preclearance to all 50 states, and that is because 48 states have either proposed or passed restrictive laws,” Clyburn said.

President Joe Biden and Democratic lawmakers have been unable to move a more sweeping voting rights bill, the For the People Act (S. 1), in the Senate. The bill passed the House in March on a party-line vote but Senate Republicans have no intention of supporting it. Key provisions of that bill include expanding automatic voter registration and same-day registration; strengthening voting by mail, early voting and ballot access; combating voter intimidation and suppression; protecting elections from foreign interference; fixing partisan redistricting; and forcing disclosure of “dark money” donations to political groups.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has vehemently opposed S. 1 and is likely to try to block the revised John Lewis bill if it arrives in the Senate.

Though the House adjourned for recess last Friday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she would be meeting with President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to discuss the renewed push for voting rights legislation and the timetable for passage.

“This is the highest priority for us – the sanctity of the vote, the basis of our democracy,” Pelosi said.

This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of A and Inroads.