Kamala Harris slammed for claiming ‘insult’ that rural communities cannot photocopy IDs

Vice President Kamala Harris has been criticized on Twitter after suggesting that it may be “nearly impossible” for people living in rural communities to make photocopies of their IDs.

The vice president made the remarks during an interview with Soledad O’Brien for BET News. Harris told O’Brien she asked President Joe Biden to lead his administration’s efforts to protect voting rights because the issue is “so fundamental.”

When asked if she would eventually support a compromise on voter identification laws, Harris replied, “I don’t think we should underestimate what that could mean.

“Because in the minds of some people, that does mean, you’re going to have to Xerox or photocopy your ID to send it to prove that you are who you are. Well, there are a lot of people, mostly. people who live in rural communities, who don’t… there are no Kinkos, there is no OfficeMax near them. ”

Harris continued, “People have to understand when we talk about voter identification laws, be clear about who you have in mind and what would be required of them to prove who they are. Of course, people have to prove. who they are, but not in a way that makes it nearly impossible for them to prove who they are. “

Some took to Twitter to scoff at Harris’ claim, saying they had no difficulty making photocopies despite living in rural communities.

Chris Barron tweeted: “I live on top of a mountain on the WV / VA border and I can photocopy my ID. I mean I do it while shining White Lightning while banjo duels are playing. in the background, but I can still do it. “

Bryan Fischer called Harris’ claim “insulting and false.” He added: “Summary: Kamala, you have to start forgetting about 2024 before the Democrats do it for you.”

Jake Schneider, who handles communications for Rep. Michelle Fischbach, a Republican from Minnesota, wrote: “I grew up in a rural community without OfficeMax or Kinkos and managed to photocopy things on several occasions. .

Other critics included Republican lawmakers. “I live in a rural community and am perfectly capable of running a copier, Kamala,” Colorado rep Lauren Boebert tweeted.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz shared a snippet of Harris’ comments, adding: “Because, you know, rural people don’t have electricity, let alone access to copiers or smartphones. They’re too busy running the moonlight and sliding on the hoods of their cars. “

Earlier this week, Harris announced that the Democratic National Committee is investing an additional $ 25 million in its voting rights initiative.

It came after the United States Supreme Court upheld voting restrictions earlier this month in a decision that should help Republican states fight against voting restrictions put in place since the 2020 election.

In the ruling, the conservative high court majority upheld voting limits in Arizona, which a lower court ruled discriminatory under federal voting rights law.

This sparked new calls from Democrats to pass federal legislation to fight voter suppression.

The decision “makes it all the more imperative to continue the fight for the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and expand voting protections,” President Joe Biden said in a statement. “The court’s ruling, damaging as it is, does not limit Congress’ ability to repair the damage done today: it puts the onus on Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act to its intended strength.” “