Sanders Pushes for End to Filibuster Following Obama’s Remarks at John Lewis’ Funeral
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is calling for an end to the filibuster following President Barack Obama’s reference to the legislative strategy as a “Jim Crow” relic. During the funeral service for the late Rep. John Lewis…
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is calling for an end to the filibuster following President Barack Obama’s reference to the legislative strategy as a “Jim Crow” relic.
During the funeral service for the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) on Thursday, Obama criticized the filibuster — which requires a 60-vote threshold to proceed with legislation — as he reflected on all that Lewis fought for throughout his career.
“If all this takes eliminating the filibuster, another Jim Crow relic, in order to secure the God-given rights of every American, then that’s what we should do,” Obama said on Thursday at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
See Obama’s remarks below:
Shortly after Obama’s eulogy at Lewis’ funeral, Sanders released a statement in support of the former president’s arguments.
“President Obama is absolutely right,” Sanders said in a statement. “It is an outrage that modern-day poll taxes, gerrymandering, I.D. requirements, and other forms of voter suppression still exist today.”
The Vermont senator also called for a “comprehensive agenda” to ensure equal rights for the American people.
He added, “We must pass a comprehensive agenda to guarantee the rights and dignity of everyone in this country. And that means, among other things, reauthorizing and expanding the Voting Rights Act, for which Congressman John Lewis put his life on the line.”