Senate Republicans Block ‘Freedom to Vote Act’ With 49-51 Vote

Yesterday Senate Republicans blocked another Voting Rights bill. They voted 49 to 51 on the bill known as the Freedom to Vote Act, which would make it easier to register to vote, make election day a public holiday, ensure states have early voting for federal elections and allow all voters to request mail-in ballots. The measure would also bump up security on voting systems, overhaul how congressional districts are redrawn and impose new disclosures on donations to outside groups active in political campaigns.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said that the bill is similar to previous efforts Republicans blocked and said it ‘still subjects popular common sense election integrity provisions like voter ID to the whims of federal bureaucrats’ and ‘puts Washington in the middle of states’ redistricting decisions.’ Democrats have argued that the bill is a necessity after Republicans state legislatures passed laws limiting access to the ballot box following former President Trumps false claims that the election was stolen from him. President Biden issued a statement during the vote saying it was ‘unconscionable’ that Republicans would block the legislation from advancing.