Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he hopes to act on the Democrats’ sweeping election reform bill by the end of this summer.
During an interview set to air on MSNBC’s The Mehdi Hasan Show Sunday evening, Schumer called some of the election changes being made at the state level “frankly racist,” emphasizing the need for H.R. 1, which passed through the House on March 3 without any Republican support.
As it is unclear when the next hearing on the legislation will be and the Democrats’ majority is slim, Mehdi Hasan pressed Schumer on how long he will wait to act on the legislation.
“I agree we have to move quickly,” Schumer said. “I would say that the deadline for S-1 is a little longer than you say. But it’s probably by August or so. We’re consulting the experts when is the latest that S-1 can undo some of the despicable and, frankly, racist changes that these Republican legislatures have made or are trying to make in the way people vote.”
WHAT HAPPENS TO STATES’ ELECTIONS LAWS IF HR 1 BECOMES LAW?
“By definition, we need all 50,” he added, in an apparent reference to the number of Senate Democrats needed to pass the bill. “We’re working hard to attain that unity. We’ve attained it on everything so far.”
In its current form, the legislation would create nationwide automatic voter registration, require states to allow no-excuse absentee voting, and allow felons who have completed their incarceration to vote, among other changes.
In order for H.R. 1 to be debated in the Senate, opening the door to passage, Democrats must convince 10 Republicans to vote in favor of it or eliminate the filibuster creating a 60-vote threshold needed for major legislation. Both options, however, are unlikely.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
When asked if he supported getting rid of the filibuster, Schumer said, “I support getting big, bold change by whatever means we can get there.”
