President Biden is expected to sign an executive order designed to increase voter access on Sunday, while pressing the Senate to approve HR 1, the House Democrats’ voting rights package.
According to the White House, Biden’s executive order will modernize Vote.gov, order federal agencies to expand access to the electoral register, provide access to voting and education for citizens in federal custody, examine barriers for citizens with disabilities vote and improve ballot tracking for foreign voters, including active duty military.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE EXTENDED IN VOTING AND CAMPAIGN FINANCING ACCOUNT FOR REFORM HR 1
Sunday is the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday”, when civil rights protesters in Alabama, marching from Selma to Montgomery, were beaten by state soldiers, spurring the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Biden on Thursday celebrated the House’s approval of HR 1, saying it would sign it if it passed the Senate.
President Joe Biden speaks in the White House State Dining Room on Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)
((AP Photo / Alex Brandon))
Biden called this an “urgent need” to protect the right to vote and “strengthen” democracy, and promised to work with Congress to “refine and move forward” the legislation.
The People’s Act of 2021, known as HR 1, was passed on Wednesday by 220 votes to 210. No Republicans joined the Democrats in passing the bill.
“When I say that the president urges Congress to take measures to prevent states from attempting to suppress voters, this applies to all states, and it applies to ensuring that the federal government and private litigants have the necessary tools to prevent restrictive electoral actions, “said a senior administration official at a briefing.
The official said that Biden’s executive order can only “contain that wave” of “suppressive action by the state voter” in response to a reporter’s question.
“I listen to you and share the concern about the impact on voters and the voter abduction that can occur through state repressive electoral actions, and I’m sick of thinking about it. Now, this is just to contain this tide, “said the official.
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Republicans are fiercely opposed to the legislation – this time, and during the last Congress, when House Democrats first introduced the legislation.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Criticized the legislation last week as “exactly the wrong answer” to what he called “anguishing lack of faith in our elections”, saying Democrats want to use their ” temporary power “to” try to ensure that they will never have to give it up. “
Brooke Singman, Peter Doocy, Marisa Schultz and The Associated Press from Fox News contributed to this report.