Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) took a swipe at his Republican colleagues amid the ongoing debate over voting rights legislation, saying they are choosing âpower and Politicsâ over democracy.
During an appearance on âThe View,â co-host Ana Navarro noted Martin Luther King Jr. was someone who âpreached the fierce urgency of now,â adding, âHe said, âJustice too long delayed is justice denied.'â
She asked Warnock, âWhat would Dr. King make of the fact that weâre still fighting for voting rights all these decades later?â
Warnock replied, âItâs disheartening. I have to be honest. I am saddened by where we are right now.â
He called King a âsober-minded soldier in the non-violent fight for freedom.â
The senator explained, âItâs not unusual to have this kind of backlashâŚWhen you take two steps forward, often, there is pushback driven by fear and bigotry.â
He continued, âBut the good news is we do have the tools in the Senate to do something about this. We can pass voting rights.â
Warnock went on, âOur colleagues on the other side have chosen power and Politics over a commitment to democracy.â
He accused politicians of âtrying to cherry-pick their voters.â
Watch his comments below:
âIt is anti-Democratic. It is anti-American,â Warnock said.
The Democrat told Navarro he is ânot about to rest until we find a way to secure the right to vote, access to the ballot, for every eligible American.â
Members of Kingâs family urged the Senate to pass voting rights legislation as they led a D.C. march, as The Washington Post reported.
âTo the president and United States senators, you were successful with infrastructure, which is a great thing,â Kingâs son, Martin Luther King III, said. âBut you need to use the same energy to ensure all Americans have an unencumbered right to vote.â
The Post noted that the âFreedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Actâ passed the House last week and is expected to be considered by the Senate on Tuesday.
