Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Former Texas congressman-turned-voting rights advocate Beto O\u2019Rourke and Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison on Friday backed Sen. Joe Manchin\u2019s proposed compromise on voting rights.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Rourke, who founded Powered by People, an organization registering voters in Texas, called Manchin\u2019s proposal \u201cprogress\u201d in an interview on CNN Friday. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am so grateful for what Sen. Manchin has done and what he’s doing right now,\u201d O\u2019Rourke said. \u201cHe’s trying to find a way to protect voting rights in this country at a moment that they are under attack in more than 40 states.\u201d <\/p>\n
Harrison called Manchin’s proposal a “step forward” for voting rights. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to see the progress,\u201d Harrison said. \u201cMany of us thought he was a \u2018no,\u2019 not only a \u2018no,\u2019 but a \u2018hell, no,\u2019 but it seems like he has softened his stance and he is willing to work to find some common ground to move forward.\u201d <\/p>\n
O\u2019Rourke and Harrison\u2019s support comes after Stacey Abrams, one of the country\u2019s most prominent voting rights activists, backed Manchin’s compromise<\/a> on the For the People Act on Thursday. A red-state moderate, Manchin (D-W.Va.) had come out against his party’s sweeping election reform bill earlier this month in a blow to Democrats\u2019 top legislative priority, but put forward a compromise Wednesday<\/a>. <\/p>\n Despite its growing support from fellow Democrats, Manchin’s proposal has failed to shift the landscape of the voting rights debate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said this week that all Senate Republicans would vote against Manchin’s compromise<\/a>. <\/p>\n