President Joe Biden slammed Republican leaders for what he says is an âunrelenting assaultâ on the right to vote.
While delivering remarks at an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Martin Luther King Jr. memorial, Biden explained, âToday the right to vote and the rule of law are under unrelenting assault from Republican governors, attorneys general, secretaries of state, state legislators.â
He added, âAnd theyâre following my predecessor, the last president, into a deep, deep black hole and abyss.â
Watch part of Bidenâs remarks below:
Biden explained the struggle âis no longer over who gets to vote, and make it easier for eligible people to vote. Itâs about who gets to count the votes, whether they should count at all.â
He criticized Republicans for blocking debate on federal voting rights legislation, arguing, âItâs unfair, itâs unconscionable, and itâs un-American. This battle is far from over, the door has not been closed. ⌠We have to keep up the fight and get it done.â
Vice President Kamala Harris told reporters on Wednesday Democrats are ânot going to give up,â adding, âWeâre not deterred. But thereâs still a lot of work to do. I think itâs really a sad day.â
According to The Washington Post, the new bill includes some provisions of the previous bill, including ânational standards for early voting and vote-by-mail, new disclosure requirements for âdark moneyâ groups and the establishment of Election Day as a federal holiday.â
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) spoke on the Senate floor following the vote.
âMembers of this body now face a choice,â Schumer said. âThey can follow in the footsteps of our patriotic predecessors in this chamber. Or they can sit by as the fabric of our democracy unravels before our very eyes.â
