President Biden on Sunday signed an executive order to increase voter turnout as he urges the Senate to pass HR 1, the House Democrats’ comprehensive suffrage package.
According to the White House, Biden’s executive order modernizes Vote.gov, orders federal agencies to expand access to voter registration, provide access to and training to inmates in federal custody, investigate barriers for citizens with disabilities, and improve voting for overseas voters, including military active service.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS DECISION EXCELLENT VOTE AND REFORM OF BILL HR 1
Sunday was the anniversary of ‘Bloody Sunday’, when civil rights protesters in Alabama, marching from Selma to Montgomery, were beaten by state troops, who upheld the 1965 suffrage law.
Biden celebrated Thursday that the House passed HR 1 and said he would sign it if passed by the Senate.
President Joe Biden speaks at the White House State Dining Room on Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon)
((AP Photo / Alex Brandon))
Biden calls it “urgently needed” to “strengthen” the right to vote and to strengthen democracy, and promises to “refine and promote” legislation with Congress.
The People for People Act of 2021, known as HR 1, was approved by 220 to 210 on Wednesday. No Republicans agreed with the Democrats to approve the bill.
“When I say that the President calls on Congress to act that will prevent the prevention of voter oppression, it applies to all states, and it applies to ensure that the federal government and private litigants have the necessary tools to prevent restrictive voting actions, “a senior administration official said at a background session.
The official said Biden’s executive order could only respond to the tide of “repressive action by the state electorate” in response to a reporter’s question.
“I hear you and share the concern about the impact on voters and the deduction of voters that can come from repressive state-suppressing actions, and it makes me sick to think about it. And I’m so grateful to the president that he took every action. it’s just to stop the tide, ‘said the official.
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Republicans vehemently oppose the legislation – this time and during the last Congress when House Democrats first introduced the legislation.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Described the legislation last week as ‘exactly the wrong response’ to what he calls the ‘disturbing lack of confidence in our election’, saying Democrats have their ‘temporary power’ want to use ‘try to ensure they will never have to give it up. ‘
Fox News’s Brooke Singman, Peter Doocy, Marisa Schultz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.