Tennessee Republican leaders are criticizing the U.S. House of Representatives for its effort to change voting laws in an effort to bring more people into the election process and overhaul the method for redrawing boundary lines for representation.
On a party-line 220-210 vote, the House on Wednesday passed wide-ranging voting and ethics legislation. The measure faces a higher hurdle in the Senate, which is split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, where it requires 60 votes to avoid a filibuster.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton accused “progressive liberals” in Washington of putting their agenda first.
“They’re trying to change the election law for political reasons, not even because they think it’s best,” Sexton said Thursday. “They’re wanting to take away the states’ rights, and I think they need to remember that the states are the ones that put them in power.”
The Crossville Republican predicted numerous states would file lawsuits to stop the legislation from taking effect if it somehow passes the Senate.