Senate Democrats near agreement on new voting rights legislation
The announcement of a voting rights bill is imminent as the Senate returns from its August recess this week. Protesters rally to demand protection for voting rights on the 58th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington on Aug. 28 in Washington. WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats are close to an agreement on updated voting rights legislation that can get the support of all 50 Democratic-voting senators, three Democratic aides familiar with negotiations said. The For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act were introduced in Congress in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Since their introductions, both have been voted on along party lines. The member-level discussions are complete, a source said, but staff members are going through the text to fix technical issues. No further details have been shared. The legislation would require the votes of 60 senators, including 10 Republicans, and it's unlikely that Democrats will get enough Republican supporters. The bill is pa