Biden Taps Harris Again To Lead White House Fight To Expand Voting Rights
Months after being appointed to lead Federal government efforts to end the border crisis — without any clear signs of resolution just yet — President Joe Biden has delegated another task to Vice President Kamala Harris. This time, to lead the White House efforts to bolster voting rights.
Earlier, the Democratic president also appointed Harris to expand access to broadband.
VP Harris’ latest appointment comes as the Biden administration continues to criticize Republican-led states for passing what he claims to be “restrictive legislations” allegedly to make it more difficult for Americans to vote — although states say these are only meant to preserve the integrity of the election process.
Biden called these new election laws as “historic assault on our democracy.”
“I’m asking Vice President Harris to help these efforts, to lead them among her many other responsibilities. With her leadership and your support, we’re going to overcome again — I promise you,” Biden said. “It’s going to take a hell of a lot of work.”
In his speech to mark the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre, Biden also called on voting groups to “redouble their efforts,” to prompt people to register as well as to educate voters, as he declared June as a “month of action” for the Democrat-led Congress to tackle voting rights measures.
Biden names VP Harris to lead efforts on protecting voting rights https://t.co/E2oqieeErY pic.twitter.com/DRPYkq7Tcw
— New York Post (@nypost) June 2, 2021
Since the 2020 election — which was shrouded by concerns over possible election fraud — several states across the country have passed measures to tighten the security and address issues raised during the close 2020 election between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
But Biden said these new election laws which he called “sacred right” are currently “under assault with incredible intensity like I’ve never seen.”
Georgia, Florida, Iowa and Kansas were among the states that passed new election laws.
Meanwhile, in a statement first released to CNN, Harris said she will rally the American public to push the issue.
Harris releases a statement on her new role: "In the days and weeks ahead, I will engage the American people, and I will work with voting rights organizations, community organizations, and the private sector to help strengthen and uplift efforts on voting rights nationwide." pic.twitter.com/p7D96WCdcb
— Eugene Daniels (@EugeneDaniels2) June 1, 2021
“In the days and weeks ahead, I will engage the American people, and I will work with voting rights organizations, community organizations, and the private sector to help strengthen and uplift efforts on voting rights nationwide,” the vice president said. “We will also work with members of Congress to help advance these bills.”
Harris added: “The work ahead of us is to make voting accessible to all American voters, and to make sure every vote is counted through a free, fair, and transparent process. This is the work of democracy.”
VP Harris: "Biden asked me to help lead our Administration's effort to protect the fundamental right to vote for all Americans.
"I will work with voting rights organizations, community organizations, and the private sector to help strengthen and uplift efforts on voting rights."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 1, 2021
Biden’s VP also put out a statement claiming that voting rights were “under assault” in the country as over 300 election security bills have reportedly been introduced across the US in the wake of the highly-contested presidential election last year.
Like Biden, Harris is instead pushing for the passage of “For the People Act” and the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.”
In Texas, where a similar voting integrity bill is being pushed, Democrats walked out of the state House chamber on Sunday night to break quorum and deny the GOP the needed number to hold a final vote on the Senate Bill 7 which is also meant to tighten voting laws in the state.
Abbott: ‘No Pay For Those Who Abandon Their Responsibilities’
Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott lashed at Democrats for their conduct and vowed to veto the state legislature’s budget — forcing members of Congress without pay.
“I will veto Article 10 of the budget passed by the legislature,” Abbott posted on his social media.
“Article 10 funds the legislative branch. No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities. Stay tuned,” he added.
I will veto Article 10 of the budget passed by the legislature.
Article 10 funds the legislative branch.
No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities.
Stay tuned.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) May 31, 2021
Abbott, who has then called for a special legislative session, added: “The last time a stunt like this happened was… …Wendy Davis. We all know how that story ended.”
The last time a stunt like this happened was…
…Wendy Davis.We all know how that story ended.https://t.co/R95Ey7rhRA
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 1, 2021
