Biden: "Republicans' Voting Restriction Laws Are an Attack on American Democracy"

Trump's "Big Lie" Criticism Over Presidential Election Fraud Claims

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] U.S. President Joe Biden strongly criticized the voting rights restriction laws currently being promoted across the United States, mainly by the Republican Party.

On the 13th (local time), according to the Washington Post (WP) and the New York Times (NYT), President Biden stated during his visit to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, "Expanding voting rights is a national imperative."

President Biden criticized the push for voting restrictions, saying, "It's simple. They want to overturn the election," and added, "The Republican Party is trying to betray the will of the people."

He further pointed out, "(The voting restriction laws) are an attack on democracy and freedom," and said, "Those who sell lies and fear are threatening the foundation of our nation."

President Biden particularly strongly criticized former President Donald Trump and his supporters who claimed last year's election results were a 'fraud,' calling it a "big lie."

Targeting former President Trump, who refuses to acknowledge his election defeat, Biden said, "That is not political skill but selfishness."

He added, "That is not democracy but a denial of voting rights."

Currently, voting restriction bills are being promoted mainly in states where the Republican Party controls the state legislature, leading to escalating conflicts with the Democratic Party.

The Republican Party claims that these laws aim to ensure the fairness of elections.

The Republicans are currently attempting to pass election law amendments in Texas, considered a conservative stronghold, which include banning drive-thru voting and strengthening identity verification for mail-in ballots. Georgia, Iowa, Arkansas, and Utah have passed voting restriction laws.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, at least 17 states have passed voting restriction laws this year, with more bills under review.

On the other hand, the Democratic Party strongly opposes these laws, arguing that they make it harder for minorities to vote and thus restrict voting rights.

Yesterday, in Texas, Democratic state legislators left the state and moved to Washington in protest against the Republican push for voting restriction laws.

This is interpreted as an attempt to block the legislative process by preventing the quorum needed to pass the voting restriction laws.

On the 13th (local time), Texas Democratic state legislators who left Texas for Washington held a press conference in front of the Washington Capitol criticizing the Texas Republican state legislators' voting rights restriction bill. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

In Texas, there could be legal orders to return to the state legislature, and failure to comply may result in arrest.

Critical voices immediately emerged from the Republican side. Senator John Cornyn said, "This is not Texas-like," and insisted, "They should stay and fight. Running away is not acceptable." Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of Texas, also warned that Democratic lawmakers could be arrested when they return to Texas.

In response, prominent Democratic figures expressed their support. Vice President Kamala Harris said, "I applaud them for protecting the voting rights of all Americans and all Texans."

Furthermore, although two voting rights expansion bills have passed in the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives, final legislation has been blocked by Republican senators' filibusters (legal obstruction through unlimited debate).

President Biden also met with civic groups last week to discuss voting rights expansion.

Some voices have called for the abolition of the filibuster to prevent Republican veto power. However, President Biden has expressed a negative stance on abolishing the filibuster.

Instead, President Biden intends to resolve the issue through legal battles by filing lawsuits against the voting restriction laws. He also announced plans to double the number of voting rights personnel within the Department of Justice to carry out related work.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.