‘We can't wait until the next election,’ Obama urges passing of voter rights bill
Former US President Barack Obama has endorsed an effort in Congress to supposedly ameliorate voting rights before the 2022 midterm elections.
The Democratic president made the comments in a on a call with grassroots supporters as opposition towards the so-called For the People Act was rising among Republicans.
"We can't wait until the next election because if we have the same kinds of shenanigans that brought about Jan. 6, if we have that for a couple more election cycles, we're going to have real problems in terms of our democracy long-term," he said.
It is unlikely for the bill to survive filibuster unless it is endorsed by at least 10 Republicans.
Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin initially crossed the line to object to the initiative.
He later made amendments to the legislation, making it easier for the Republicans senators to back itl although it is not clear whether Manchin would support the effort himself.
The compromise was offered by "the most conservative Democrat in the Senate, or maybe in Congress — Joe Manchin of West Virginia — to come up with common sense reforms that a majority of Americans agree with, that Democrats and Republicans can agree with,” Obama suggested.
The legislation is reportedly supposed to require all states to offer automatic voter registration, the implementation of new voting machines and mail-in ballots.
The proponents of the For the People Act argue that it is aimed at protecting the freedom to vote for Americans.
Top conservative figures have dismissed the For the People Act, alleging that it could harms some states.
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