Amid growing frustration, White House pushes voting rights
Amid growing frustration, White House pushes voting rights
Washington, Jul 9: Facing a call to “save American democracy,” the Biden administration on Thursday unveiled new efforts to help protect voting rights amid growing complaints from civil rights activists and other Democrats that the White House has not done enough to fight attempts by Republican-led state legislatures to restrict access to the ballot.
President Joe Biden met with civil rights leaders in the West Wing, while Vice President Kamala Harris announced $25 million in new spending by the Democratic National Committee to support efforts to protect voting access ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
Civil Rights Groups Meet With President Biden, Vice President Harris
Topics of discussion at White House ranged from voting rights to police reform.
President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and White House officials met Thursday with leaders from eight legacy Black civil rights organizations in what was termed “very constructive” dialogue.
The meeting lasted one hour and 45 minutes and issues of concern ran the gamut: voter suppression legislation sweeping state legislatures, the spike in gun violence in America’s communities, police reform and more.
Pending legislation in Congress was discussed such as the For the People Act, which passed the House but has stalled in the U.S. Senate; the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, currently being negotiated by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA).
Stars in the House launched March 16 last year and has raised more than $1 million to support The Actors Fund and its services in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It has also raised funds for the NAACP s Legal Defense Fund in support of the Black Lives Matter movement as well as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
New showsâstreaming TuesdayâSaturday at 8 PM ETâfeature performances by stars of stage and screen, in conversation and song with Rudetsky and Wesley. Peter Flynn serves as streaming director.
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A Look at the New
Amid growing frustration, White House pushes voting rights
JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER and ASHRAF KHALIL, Associated Press
July 8, 2021
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1of6Marc Morial, center, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Urban League, talks with reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 8, 2021, following a meeting with President Joe Biden and leadership of top civil rights organizations.Susan Walsh/APShow MoreShow Less
2of6Marc Morial, center, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Urban League, talks with reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 8, 2021, following a meeting with President Joe Biden and leadership of top civil rights organizations.Susan Walsh/APShow MoreShow Less
Clyburn s message to Joe Manchin on voting rights 09:19 (CNN)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 on voting rights, along with going on the road on this issue.