Democrats' drive for new federal voting rights legislation hit a new roadblock Wednesday, with options for progress dwindling as Senate Republicans remain united in blocking debate on the issue.
(WASHINGTON) Senate Republicans are expected to defeat for the second time this year a Democratic measure aimed at enacting sweeping federal election l
uschools/iStock(WASHINGTON) Senate Republicans are expected to defeat for the second time this year a Democratic measure aimed at enacting sweeping federal election law changes, a move that is certain to increase pressure on the majority to change the chamber's filibuster rule. "This bill is a compromise, but a good one. It's a bill that every Senate Democrat is united behind enthusiastically," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who worked to get moderate Democrat Joe Manchin behind the proposal known as the Freedom to Vote Act. The legislation is a product of Democrats' concerns about the wave of stricter new voting laws in red states following the false claims by former President Donald Trump that the 2020 election was stolen. Manchin, D-W.Va., refused to endorse a more comprehensive reform effort by his caucus in June, saying it lacked bipartisan input and encroached too far on state's rights to run elections. But after months of trying to