Political Quotes

“The Republican minority has just prevented the Senate from even having a debate--a debate; just that--on voting rights in this country. I understand my Republican colleagues don't approve of every aspect of the Democratic bill to protect voting rights, but surely there are areas where our two parties can find some agreement. Partisan gerrymandering, for instance, has plagued our country for too long. It skews our democracy towards the extremes. It strips the American people of their right to have a truly representative government. Voters ought to pick their politicians, not the other way around. But in so many States, partisan legislators draw maps that artificially maximize the number of seats that the majority party will win. Some districts are so safe that the most extreme candidates can run and win with hardly any competition. Surely my Republican colleagues would agree that partisan gerrymandering deserves a debate on the Senate floor. It is a small part of S. 1 but one that has broad universal support--and the support, by the way, of all 49 of my Democratic colleagues. So I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 2670, Calendar No. 119, the Redistricting Reform Act of 2021. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Senator from Texas.”