Biden gives an angry cry for action on voting rights but stops short of calling for filibuster reform
By Kevin Liptak, Paul LeBlanc and Kate Sullivan President Joe Biden issued a dire and angry warning Tuesday that the very underpinnings of American democracy were under threat, calling an ongoing assault on voting rights the gravest challenge to American democracy since the Civil War. But he stopped short of embracing changes to Senate procedure that might open the door to new laws protecting those rights, a step activists have said is essential as they urge the President to say and do more on an issue he’s said is the most important of his presidency. The President’s speech in Philadelphia,
Biden looks to avoid immigration headache with complicated decision on opening borders
By Priscilla Alvarez The Biden administration faces the possibility of another immigration headache, as it weighs whether to more widely reopen US borders in the near future — just days from the current travel restrictions expiring. An increase in migrants crossing the US-Mexico border became a political liability earlier this year, overwhelming border facilities and making headlines for poor conditions. Now White House working groups are evaluating whether to extend the 30-day restrictions on nonessential travel, which have been in place since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. The latest restrictions, announced in June, will remain in effect until July 21. The
‘Angry and affected’: Young voters in Texas protest restrictive new voting laws
By Rachel Janfaza Young voters and voting rights activists in Texas are protesting potential restrictive new voting laws in the state. Topping their list of concerns, activists say, is a proposal that would stop expansive practices such as drive-through voting and 24-hour voting, which advocates say made it easier for young voters and voters of color to cast their ballot in 2020. “Innovations from election offices provided new opportunity for young voters in 2020,” said Charlie Bonner, the 25-year-old spokesperson for MOVE Texas, a youth voter engagement organization. “We see bans on 24-hour and drive-through voting, which we know were disproportionately
Texas House Democrats leave state to block Republicans from passing voting restrictions
By Eric Bradner, Dianne Gallagher and Paul LeBlanc Texas state House Democrats left the state Monday in an effort to block Republicans from passing a restrictive new voting law in the remaining 27 days of the special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott. Two chartered planes carrying the majority of the Democrats who left Texas for Washington, DC, landed at Dulles International Airport on Monday evening, a source familiar told CNN. They have largely kept their planning secret because they can be legally compelled to return to the state Capitol and believed law enforcement could be sent to track them
Biden to make ‘moral case’ for voting rights in major speech Tuesday
By Paul LeBlanc President Joe Biden will make “the moral case” for voting rights in a highly anticipated speech on Tuesday centered around protecting ballot access in the face of “authoritarian and anti-American” restrictions, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday. Biden will use his remarks in Philadelphia “to make the case to the American people about how this is a fundamental right,” Psaki said. The address from Biden comes in the aftermath of former President Donald Trump’s “Big Lie” that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and as Republican-controlled legislatures have pressed ahead with new state laws imposing limits on voting.
Biden to deliver major voting rights speech Tuesday in Philadelphia
By Betsy Klein President Joe Biden is set to give an anticipated major speech on voting rights Tuesday in Philadelphia, the White House announced Friday. Biden, the White House said, will deliver “remarks on actions to protect the sacred, constitutional right to vote.” It remains unclear how much his administration can accomplish in protecting voting rights, but the speech reflects that it remains a major issue for the President and the administration. Passing new voting legislation in Congress will almost certainly require altering filibuster rules, since Democrats’ slim majority in the Senate isn’t enough to overcome GOP opposition. Moderate Democrats have opposed major changes to the
Biden administration spotlights voting rights as advocates push the President to do more
By Kevin Liptak Leaders of eight civil rights organizations warned President Joe Biden on Thursday that time is running short to enact new voting rules protecting Americans’ right to cast ballots. The dire message, delivered during a candid session in the White House Roosevelt Room, came as Democrats clamor for the President to do and say more on the issue after defeats in Congress and the Supreme Court. Biden and his team have repeatedly previewed a major push on voting rights after Senate Republicans blocked a sweeping election reform bill last month. Biden told reporters last week he planned on “speaking extensively”
Federal judge blocks effort to invalidate parts of new Georgia voting law ahead of July runoffs
By Pamela Kirkland and Sara Murray A federal court judge on Wednesday denied a motion to stop the implementation of parts of Georgia’s new voting law, ahead of state legislature runoff elections next week. In the ruling, US District Judge J. P. Boulee declined to block parts of SB202, saying the timing of the request presents a problem with runoff elections already ongoing and would change rules for elections that are already underway. The runoffs for two Georgia House seats are set for July 13. The motion went on to say the filing came three months after SB202 had become law. “We are
Biden administration to spotlight voting rights Thursday as advocates push the President to do more
By Kevin Liptak President Joe Biden plans to hold another meeting on voting rights Thursday as Democrats clamor for him to do and say more on the issue after defeats in Congress and the Supreme Court. The White House described Biden’s Roosevelt Room meeting as a private session with a range of civil rights groups to talk about their efforts to protect voting rights. Vice President Kamala Harris, who Biden has tasked with leading the administration’s efforts on voting rights, will also participate in a Washington event with the Democratic National Committee focused on the issue. Biden and his team have repeatedly previewed
Eric Adams will win Democratic primary for NYC mayor
By Ethan Cohen and Gregory Krieg Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will be the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, CNN projects, following the latest ranked-choice count of primary voters, a tally that for the first time included the lion’s share of nearly 126,000 absentee ballots cast. Former Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia finished a narrow second in the count released Tuesday night by the New York City Board of Elections, with Adams leading her by a single percentage point — 50.5% to 49.5% — in the final round. Civil rights attorney Maya Wiley made it to the penultimate round, placing third in