LOC09:44
06:44 GMT
WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (KUNA) -- US Senate Republicans have blocked a voting rights legislation, which needed at least 10 Republican votes -- thus foiling bids by the president to ensure full voting rights for the minorities at states' level.
The legislation, which requires 60 votes to advance, failed by a vote of 49-51.
The bill combines the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
President Joe Biden said in a statement in this regard "at the core of our democracy is a basic principle: the right to vote, and to have that vote counted."
"I am profoundly disappointed that the United States Senate has failed to stand up for our democracy. I am disappointed but I am not deterred," he stressed.
He affirmed "we will continue to work with allies to advance necessary legislation to protect the right to vote. And to push for Senate procedural changes that will protect the fundamental right to vote."
"We will explore every measure and use every tool at our disposal to stand up for democracy. The Vice President (Kamala Harris) will continue to lead this effort," he remarked.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said earlier "win, lose or draw, members of this chamber were elected to debate and to vote. And win, lose or draw, we are going to vote, especially on an issue as vital to the beating heart of our democracy as voting rights."
For his part, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said "Democrats have spent years stoking fear and panic over voting laws and the American people simply do not buy it."
Democrats have campaigned for the legislation in response to the Republicans' efforts to restrict voting, especially among Black and Latino Americans. (end)
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