Manchin meets TX Dems; says he wants a reduced voting rights bill

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Manchin, a moderate Democrat from West Virginia, has been at the center of the franchise conversation for weeks due to his opposition to removing filibuster. Removing the legislative barrier would allow Democrats to pass laws by simple majority.

After meeting with members of the Texas delegation, Manchin said the next step is to craft a simplified bill that focuses only on protecting the right to vote and the voting process.

“We are working with the voting rights law that we had, started in 1965, and what we have evolved into, and basically we are making a law, a law that protects voting rights, the voting procedure, the democracy, the safeguards of democracy, that’s all. And there shouldn’t be a Republican or Democrat who should oppose it, ”Manchin said.

When asked why he thought Republicans would support a simplified bill, Manchin said, “You know why? Because they have an 800-page bill, they threw it all at them. fundamental voting rights, protecting voting rights. “

Texas State Representative Joe Moody – one of the Democrats at the meeting in Washington – said the Texas delegation was happy with their conversation with Manchin.

“Senator Manchin has been very generous with his time and Democrats in Texas have been encouraged by our talks with him. We have no doubt that he fully shares our goal of protecting the right to vote of all Americans, and we realize all that it’s a fight that won won’t be over in a few days, it’s a journey we look forward to taking together, ”Moody said in a statement to CNN.

However, back in Texas, House Speaker Dade Phelan on Thursday issued an order removing Moody from his post as president pro tempore.

The role of the speaker pro tempore, largely a ceremonial role, is to perform the functions of the Speaker in his absence.

After his withdrawal, Moody said on twitter Thursday, “The most important titles in my life will never change: Dad, Husband, El Pasoan. Nothing political has ever been in the top three, so nothing has changed about who I am or who I am. values.”

He added, in a separate statement to CNN, “I followed my conscience knowing that doing the right thing might cost me, but not fighting would have cost even more: Texans’ civil rights. The job I have sworn to do is to defend our Constitution, so I would trade this any day. Headlines come and go, but my commitment to the people of El Paso and this state will always remain. “

Moody was appointed to this post by Phelan during this year’s regular session. He was also a pro tempore speaker under another Republican State Chamber speaker in the 2019 session.



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