MSNBC’s Joy Reid slams Kyrsten Sinema over voting rights law after John Lewis tweet

MSNBC host Joy Reid slammed Senator Kyrsten Sinema for her stance on voting rights after the Arizona Democrat posted a tweet commemorating late civil rights icon Democratic Representative John Lewis of Georgia.

Lewis died on July 17, 2020 at the age of 80 while still sitting in the House of Representatives. As a young man, Lewis was one of the first 13 Freedom Riders and walked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was first elected to Congress in 1987 and was passionate about expanding access voting and the fight against systemic racism in American society.

“Our nation lost a civil rights giant a year ago today. John Lewis was a personal hero of mine, a man of principle and courage, who epitomized all the qualities of a true leader. Stay in power , my dear friend, ”Sinema tweeted. Saturday, commemorating the first anniversary of the congressman’s death.

But some, like Reid, were quick to denounce Sinema’s remarks. The Arizona Democrat has repeatedly voiced her opposition to ending the Senate legislative obstruction, which under the current composition of the upper house of Congress almost guarantees that key Democratic voting rights legislation does not will not be adopted.

“We do indeed miss John Lewis, senator. And if he really was your dear friend, you’d think you wouldn’t take a step back and let his life’s work: voting rights and the voting rights law he literally bled for, die. . Yet there you are … “Reid wrote, retweeting Sinema’s post.

Another MSNBC host, Mehdi Hasan, shared similar criticisms of the Arizona lawmaker.

“… says the woman who still supports the filibuster blocking a voting rights bill literally named after John Lewis,” Hasan tweeted.

The Reverend William Barber II, a prominent religious leader who co-chairs the campaign for the poor, also criticized Sinema.

“DON’T BE HAPPY,[sic] COME BACK THAT YOU HONOR JOHN LEWIS WHILE YOU BLOCK JOB FOR IT WAS, “Barber tweeted.

In June, Sinema voted with the 49 other members of the Senate Democratic caucus to advance the For the People Act, an important piece of voting rights legislation that President Joe Biden and Democratic leaders have highlighted as a key priority. But all 50 Senate Republicans voted against the bill, which puts it well below the 60 votes needed to overcome an obstruction.

“I believe that the right to vote, faith in the integrity of our electoral process and confidence in elected officials are essential to the health and vitality of our democracy,” Sinema said in a statement on his vote in the election. ‘time. “I am proud to support the For The People Act because it restores the guarantees that protect the right to vote of every American, reduces the influence of money in politics, protects our elections from foreign interference and binds government officials to uphold the highest ethical standards. “

Although most Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for ending the filibuster in an effort to pass more laws without GOP membership, Sinema – along with West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin – has been a key voice to oppose such a decision. The two moderate Democratic lawmakers argue that bipartisanship is valuable, defending their position. They also warn that ending the filibuster could be bad for Democrats if Republicans regain control of Congress in the next election.

News week contacted Sinema’s press representatives for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.