A bill called the Freedom to Vote Act that is designed to improve voting rights and repair America’s election system failed to advance in the Senate on Wednesday, according to CBS News. This was aided by the fact that Republicans in unison voted against it, citing it as a federal overreach. 

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According to CBS News, the procedural vote over the debate on the Freedom to Vote Act was 51 in opposition and 49 in favor. It was shy of the 60 votes required to advance the measure.  

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, “the bill would protect our elections from interference, dark money, partisan gerrymandering, and voter suppression.” 

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This bill was the latest attempt by Democrats to move forward with their legislative efforts to improve our statewide election systems. This comes at a time when states such as Texas, Florida and Georgia are putting in new voting laws that critics say would restrict voting among those who come from Black and minority communities. 

“It is both disappointing, but sadly not surprising that the United State Senate has once again failed the American people by refusing to move forward debate on critically needed voting access legislation,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. in a statement. “Tonight’s vote reflects the cynical, refusal of Republican Senators to put the health of our democracy and the rights of every citizen to participate in the political process ahead of partisan advantage.” 

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President Joe Biden expressed his concern about how voting rights around the country are being undermined. 

“Senate Republicans need to allow a debate and let there be a vote on the Freedom to Vote Act,” Biden said on Twitter. “Democracy — the very soul of America — is at stake.”