Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) is stressing the importance of passing voting rights legislation after some Republican lawmakers have pushed for restrictions hindering access to the polls.
The host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Joe Scarborough asked Warnock how important it is for his fellow Democrats to work together to pass H.R.1, also known as the For the People Act, as well as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act.
“It is almost impossible to overstate how important this really is. We are at an inflection point. This is a moral moment in America, a defining moment in our history. Voting rights is not just one issue alongside other issues. It is about who we say we are, it is about our covenant with one another as an American people,” Warnock replied.
He continued, “And so we’ve got to get on board. I know there’s a big debate about the filibuster, I’m sure we’re going to have to have that debate. But my argument is voting rights is bigger than the filibuster, and we must pass voting rights whether we get rid of the filibuster or not.”
Watch his remarks below:
"It is almost impossible to overstate how important this really is," Sen. Warnock says about voting rights legislation. "This is a moral moment in America."
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 18, 2021
"Voting rights is bigger than the filibuster and we must pass voting rights whether we get rid of the filibuster or not." pic.twitter.com/w7zZbBY06i
During his maiden speech on the Senate floor on Wednesday, Warnock likened voting restrictions to “Jim Crow in new clothes,” as IJR reported.
“Some politicians did not approve of the choice made by the majority of voters in a hard-fought election in which each side got the chance to make its case to the voters,” Warnock said.
He added, “Rather than adjusting their agenda, rather than changing their message, they are busy trying to change the rules. We are witnessing right now a massive and unabashed assault on voting rights unlike anything we’ve ever seen since the Jim Crow era. This is Jim Crow in new clothes.”
Lawmakers across the nation are reportedly advocating for legislation limiting early and absentee voting, adding ID requirements for voters arriving at the ballot box, and getting rid of automatic and same-day voter registration.
At least 250 laws proposed in 43 states would limit mail, early in-person, and Election Day voting.
