WASHINGTON (AP) – A new executive order President Joe Biden guides federal agencies to take a series of measures to promote access to voting, a measure that comes as Democrats in Congress push for a comprehensive vote and electoral bill to combat efforts to restrict access to voting.
His plan was being announced during a recorded speech at the 56th celebration of “Bloody Sunday”, the 1965 incident in which about 600 civil rights activists were violently beaten by state troops while trying to march for the right to vote in Selma, Alabama.
“Every eligible voter should be able to vote and have their count,” said Biden in his prepared comments for Sunday’s Martin and Coretta King Unity Breakfast. “If you have the best ideas, you have nothing to hide. Let the people vote. “
Biden’s request includes several modest provisions. It guides federal agencies to expand access to voter registration and electoral information, asks federal agency heads to devise plans to give federal officials free time to vote or volunteer as non-partisan election workers, and prescribes a review of the government’s vote . gov website.
Democrats are trying to solidify support for House Resolution 1, which addresses virtually every aspect of the electoral process. He passed on Wednesday in a vote close to the party line, 220-210.
The voting rights bill includes provisions to restrict party gerrymandering in parliamentary districts, eliminate voting barriers and bring transparency to an obscure campaign financing system that allows wealthy donors to anonymously fund political causes.
Democrats say the bill will help stifle voter suppression attempts, while Republicans see the bill as unwanted federal interference with state authority to conduct their own elections.
The fate of the bill is far from certain in the divided Senate. Conservative groups have launched a $ 5 million campaign to try to persuade moderate Senate Democrats to oppose the rule changes needed to approve the measure.
With his executive order, Biden is trying to get the spotlight on the issue and is using the grim celebration of Bloody Sunday to prove that a lot is at stake.
Bloody Sunday proved to be a conscious and shocking tipping point in the civil rights movement that led to the approval of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Likewise, Biden expects the United States Capitol to be looted on January 6 by a pro crowd -Donald Trump. proved to be a bugle call for Congress to take steps to improve protection for voters.
“In 2020 – with our own democracy at stake – even in the midst of a pandemic – more Americans voted than ever,” said Biden in his prepared comments. “However, instead of celebrating this powerful voting demonstration – we saw an unprecedented insurrection in our Capitol and a brutal attack on our democracy on January 6. An effort never before seen to ignore, undermine and undo the will of the people. “
Biden’s comments also pay tribute to civil rights giants Rev. CT Vivian, Rev. Joseph Lowery and Rep. John Lewis. Everyone played critical roles in Selma’s organizing efforts in 1965 and everyone died last year.