It’s as easy as that for Democrats who have finally realized that Joe Biden’s “Build Back Better” social spending bill will fail to pass in the Senate. On to the next measure, one that will surely transform American democracy.
Senate Democrats have pivoted back to their plan to overhaul voting laws, a move that will centralize and concentrate election, removing state’s rights entirely.
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer hasn’t abandoned Build Back Better or the plan to pass it by Christmas, but without Sen. Manchin on board, chances of signing the bill into law are looking bleak.
On Wednesday, Democrat leaders began shifting focus back toward the controversial Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement acts. Those measures were crafted in response to red-state vote integrity laws passed in the wake of the 2020 election, which Democrats have framed as discriminatory and restrictive.
The new focus underscores the dimming prospects of passing Biden’s signature bill by Christmas.
The plan has no GOP support, and key centrist Joe Manchin of West Virginia is no closer to supporting the social welfare and green energy spending bill. Manchin is opposed to several key parts of the bill, among them a methane fee that would raise natural gas prices and a provision providing four weeks of paid family and medical leave, which he believes should be negotiated in a separate bill with Republicans in order to ensure its longevity.
Democrats on Tuesday and Wednesday huddled in private meetings to try to come to an agreement on creating a “carve out” for the filibuster in order to pass a voting reform bill with only Democratic votes. But like the Build Back Better Act, that would also require Manchin’s buy-in. There is now mounting pressure on him to agree to a one-time suspension of the filibuster, but Manchin remains reluctant, however, as do other Senate moderates.
“Rules change should be done where we all have input because we are all going to have to live with it,” Manchin told reporters earlier this week.
Democrats have attempted to pass their voting overhaul legislation in various forms this year, but Republicans have blocked them, arguing the proposals hinder voter integrity, would result in a federal takeover of local elections, and are written to favor Democratic victories at the polls.
Manchin helped negotiate a voter overhaul bill meant to increase access to the polls. It allowed voter ID requirements but loosened them significantly and would have restored a decades-old requirement that the federal government approve redistricting in certain states and municipalities to combat racial discrimination.
If McConnell and the RINOs allow Democrats to proceed with the federal takeover of elections, democracy in this country will be over before you know it.
Lest we forget, the Soviet Union held “fair” elections too…
Author: Sebastian Hayworth
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