Over 100 Congressional Democrats Vote To Lower Voting Age to 16 (….and one Republican, from Texas)
The left has an historical ability to appeal to the young. Given that polls and studies show that the majority of people outgrow their wide-eyed, ill-conceived leftist idealism, the left is ramping up its attempts to sell its shiny, empty promises to our nation’s youth.
In keeping with their decades-long attempts to shore up a permanent Democrat majority, the House voted Thursday on a measure to lower the voting age to 16.
The amendment to HR1, introduced by freshman Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), was rejected, but 125 Democrats—and one Republican, Rep. Michael Burgess (TX)—voted for it.
In making her case for her proposed amendment, Pressley argued that high school students are leading the charge on gun control and therefore deserve the right to vote.
Roll Call reported earlier this week:
In presenting her amendment at House Rules to lower the voting age to 16, freshman Rep. Ayanna S. Pressley argued that high schoolers have taken a leading role in pressing for new gun control laws and deserve greater participation in their democracy.
“They are organizing, mobilizing and calling us to action,” the Massachusetts Democrat told the panel Tuesday.
Or something.
From gun violence, to immigration reform, to climate change, to the future of work – our young people are organizing, mobilizing & calling us to action.
They have earned inclusion in our democracy. #ForThePeople #16toVote pic.twitter.com/EUsRSufdbi
— Rep Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) March 7, 2019
Republicans, excluding Burgess, saw this as a move to try to garner more Democrat votes.
The Washington Examiner reports:
Republicans disagreed and said Democrats were really trying to create more people who are likely to vote for Democrats.
“I’m of the opinion that we shouldn’t arbitrarily lower the voting age just because right now, I believe Democrats think they’ll gain more votes,” said Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill. “I believe it will institutionalize a Democrat majority here in this House of Representatives.”
Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., said on the floor about Pressley’s language, “I think this is foolish.”
Republicans also argued the Constitution effectively sets a minimum voting age of 18, by saying the rights of people that age and older can’t be denied. That language, found in the 26th Amendment, doesn’t prohibit Congress from setting a lower voting age.
While this measure failed, HR1 passed along party lines Friday morning, 234-193. This bill aims to limit money in politics and force presidents to release their tax returns. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who called the enormous voting rights and election reform bill “a parade of horrible,” said Thursday that he will not be bringing the bill to the Senate floor.
The Daily Caller reports:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell held a press conference Thursday to step up his attacks against HR1, the massive election reform bill currently being debated in the House, as a “turkey” and a “parade of horrible,” warning Democrats that supporting the bill will help Republicans win in 2020.
McConnell was defiant when asked why he wouldn’t bring HR1 to the Senate floor. “Because I get to decide what we vote on,” was his response.
Pressley retweeted the following:
BREAKING: The House just passed HR1, which includes:
-Automatic voter registration
-Public financing of elections
-An end to gerrymandering
-Election Day as a federal holiday
-Support for overturning Citizens United
This is the greatest victory for democracy in generations. pic.twitter.com/I6vXhzFrfq
— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) March 8, 2019
Apparently, Democrats recognize that their socialist agenda, including the ill-advised Green New Deal, won’t win over many adult voters, so we can expect further attempts to lower the voting age, among other problematic proposals.
https://legalinsurrection.com/2019/03/over-100-congressional-democrats-vote-to-lower-voting-age-to-16/