Clyburn: allowing the filibuster to be used to deny voting rights would be “catastrophic”

House Whip James Clyburn (DS.C.) said in a new interview that allowing the filibuster to be used to deny voting rights would be “catastrophic,” as an election bill very exhaustively expects it to be considered in the Senate.

“There’s no way under the sun in 2021 to allow the filibuster to be used to deny voting rights. That won’t happen. That would be catastrophic,” Clyburn told The Guardian in an interview published Sunday, just days later. that the House would largely vote along party lines to pass the For The People Act, also known as HR 1.

While Clyburn clarified that he would not “say you have to get rid of the filibuster,” he said the party “would do well to develop a Manchin-Sinema rule to avoid filibustering in relation to race and civil rights.”

Comments come after Sens. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinSunday preview: Manchin makes the rounds after key role in debate over coronavirus relief Biden turns victory after Senate passes Coronavirus relief package Schumer insists that Democrats unite after chaotic debate over coronavirus MORE (DW.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) Have been criticized by liberals for their opposition to certain issues supported by some on the left, including the removal of the filibuster. Lawmakers were also recently among the seven Democrats last week who voted against a proposal to raise the federal minimum hourly wage to $ 15.

“If Manchin and Sinema enjoy the majority, it’s best that they figure out a way to evade the filibuster when it comes to voting and civil rights,” Clyburn told The Guardian.

HR 1, backed by Democrats and the White House, contains a number of provisions that advocates claim are aimed at protecting voting rights and electoral integrity after the former President TrumpDonald TrumpBiden to sign executive order to increase access to voting Albany Times Union editorial board calls for Cuomo’s resignation Proponents warn restrictive voting laws could end Georgia’s record turnout he pushed unproven claims about the presidential election for months in his attempt to overturn the results of the November race.

These provisions include turning election day into a federal holiday, which requires states to provide voters with postal votes and at least 15 days of early voting. Another section included in the bill aimed at combating partisan gerrymandering would commission independent commissions to create congressional districts.

Republican Party members, however, have largely criticized the legislation, viewing it as a seizure of power by Democrats. Former Vice President Mike PenceMichael (Mike) Richard PenceSunday preview: Manchin turns after key role in DeSantis coronavirus relief debate, Pence tied in 2024 Republican Pence poll to narrate Limbaugh’s documentary series for Fox Nation MÉS last week he described the measure as “unconstitutional, reckless and undemocratic”.

Proponents of voting rights have also been pressuring Congress to take action on the John LewisJohn Lewis Advocates warns restrictive voting laws could end Georgia’s record turnout on “Bloody Sunday” to be commemorated for the first time without John Lewis Democrats worrying about the Senate being the graveyard of Biden’s agenda MONTH Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would require states that have had repeated violations of voting rights in recent history to receive federal approval to make voting changes. The legislation would restore an important provision of the Voting Rights Act that was rejected by the Supreme Court years ago.

President BidenJoe BidenBiden will sign executive order to increase access to voting Myanmar army conducts violent night raids Confidence in coronavirus vaccines has grown and most now say they want MORE he is also expected to deliver comments pushing the measure on Sunday.

The boost comes as several state legislatures across the country have passed legislation that would restrict voter access, including a number of Republican-backed bills in Georgia.