Biden visit Philadelphia to issue a strong appeal on passing of stalled voting rights legislation
U.S President Joe Biden on Tuesday traveled to Philadelphia to issue a strong appeal for the passing of voting rights legislation backed by the Democratic party. The legislation was stalled due to the Republican opposition.
The Democratic-backed voting rights legislation which aims at expanding opportunities to vote before Election Day, make certain campaign contributions more transparent, and change the process for drawing the boundaries of House of Representatives districts was blocked by Senate Republicans. According to the Republicans, the legislation violates the authority of states to set their own election laws
Biden’s visit to Philadelphia, under pressure from US civil rights leaders, also aims at mobilizing support among Democratic voters as his party works to maintain control of Congress in the 2022 midterm elections.
White House Spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Monday that the president will make a “moral case for why denying the right to vote is a form of suppression and a form of silencing,” and discuss steps his administration plans to take to shore up voting rights.”
Psaki further added that Biden’s speech will also address the “onslaught of voter suppression laws based on a dangerous and discredited conspiracy theory that culminated in an assault on our Capitol. “
According to Reuters, Biden met with US civil rights leaders who pushed him to keep fighting on the voting issue despite Republican resistance.