Democrats urge Biden to use presidential powers, 'whatever means necessary' to protect voters
- The White House is exploring ways to expand access to voting, including a possible executive order.
- Democrats haven't given up on passing federal voting rights legislation.
- State legislators are considering hundreds of election bills with restrictive provisions.
WASHINGTON – With federal voting rights legislation stalled in Congress, Democratic lawmakers and civil rights activists are calling on the Biden administration to issue a new executive order aimed at better protecting voters against restrictive state election laws.
Democrats and activists are increasingly disappointed with the lack of progress on passing sweeping voter protection legislation. And with high-stakes midterms elections looming, there's also growing concern about ballot access for voters of color — historically a key voting bloc for Democrats.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, , an Ohio Democrat and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said the Biden administration should "do whatever is necessary, whether that's an executive order, whether that is us figuring out a legislative approach that we can get through."
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