US voting rights bill in jeopardy as key Democrats refuse Senate rule changes

Issued on: 14/01/2022 – 05:18

President Joe Biden’s attempt to rally Democrats on Thursday to alter Senate rules and pass voting-rights legislation was stymied, even before he arrived at the U.S. Capitol, by opposition from a key moderate lawmaker.

U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona said in a speech on the Senate floor on Thursday – less than an hour before Biden’s lunchtime arrival – that the “filibuster rule” that allows a minority of senators to block legislation was necessary to prevent worsening political divisions in the country.

After Biden left the Capitol following his meeting with Democrats, West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin joined Sinema in opposing Senate rule changes.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer nonetheless announced late on Thursday that the Senate will begin debate on the legislation next Tuesday. If Republicans block that bill as anticipated, Schumer said he was prepared to seek a change in the Senate’s filibuster rule to win passage.

While officials were not anticipating any quick breakthroughs, Biden continued pressing his case with Sinema and Manchin into the evening. The two senators met Biden at the White House for a meeting that lasted well over an hour, the administration said.

None of the participants spoke to media afterwards. A White House official characterized the meeting as a “candid and respectful exchange of views.”

Earlier, when he left the Capitol, the president acknowledged his party may not succeed in getting a voting rights bill passed.

“I hope we can get this done, but I’m not sure,” Biden told reporters. “One thing for certain: Like every other major civil rights bill that came along, if we miss the first time, we can come back and try it a second time. We missed this time.”