Senate Democrats and Republicans sparred over a controversial election reform bill Tuesday.
The Senate Rules Committee debated for nine hours. Though the members deadlocked 9 to 9 to move it out of committee, Democrats can still maneuver to send the bill to the floor for a vote.
Democrats maintain the bill is necessary to protect voting rights as some states tighten up their rules, but Republicans say it’s nothing but a power grab.
The controversial legislation sparking heated debate, even bringing both the Senate majority leader and the minority leader to the hearings.
“Here in the 21st century, we are witnessing an attempt at the greatest contraction of voting rights since the end of reconstruction and the beginning of Jim Crow,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “The bill before this committee has a very simple premise: make it easier, not harder to vote.”
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“This legislation would let Washington Democrats dictate the terms of their own re-election races by rewriting all 50 states election laws,” explained Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). “Democrats have a narrow majority in the House and a 50-50 Senate, but they want to make themselves the board of elections for every county and state in America?”
The bill, which has passed the House, does away with voter ID, requires states to offer mail-in ballots, and reorganizes the Federal Election Commission to favor the majority party.
It also calls for independent commissions to replace state control in redrawing congressional districts.
Even if Democrats can get around the filibuster, some don’t fully support the bill and it might not have enough votes to pass.
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