US Democrats face crucial test on voting reform

As Republicans seek to impose stricter voting rules across the US, Democrats say voting rights are being infringed upon.

Democrats in the United States Congress plan to push voting rights legislation to a crucial test vote in the Senate this week laying bare a clash with Republicans who are blocking reforms at the national level and enacting new voting restrictions in key states. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer intends to bring a crucial government ethics reform and voting rights bill to the Senate floor for debate, but its prospects of passage are infinitesimal. With the Senate evenly divided between 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, Schumer needs unity from his own party and at least 10 Republicans to cross the aisle and vote with him. Republicans have made it clear they are deeply opposed to the Democrats’ efforts, and even the White House seems to be bracing for failure.