Jeffries says ‘integrity of our democracy’ at stake without federal voting rights legislation

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in an interview broadcast late Sunday that the “integrity of our democracy” is threatened without sweeping, federal voting rights legislation and that filibuster reform cannot be ruled out if Senate Democrats can’t get 60 votes in support of such a measure.

“It’s an open question as to whether we can get to 60 votes in the Senate on voting, and if we can’t, then the Senate is going to have to make some decisions as it relates to filibuster reform,” the House Democratic Caucus chair said on “Axios on HBO.”

“The integrity of our democracy hangs in the balance,” he said, adding “the undermining of the fundamental right to vote” is the greatest threat to democracy right now.

Earlier this month, Senate Republicans blocked debate on a voting rights bill named after the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). 

All Senate Democrats except Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) introduced the bill in October to strengthen sections of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that were gutted by a 2013 Supreme Court  decision in the Shelby County v. Holder case. 

The development increased calls from progressives and other outside groups to do away with the filibuster, or at least exempt voting legislation from the 60-vote hurdle in the Senate.