Why reforms didn’t pass in 2021 and what’s next

• In 2021, Republican-led states enacted a wave of restrictive voting laws.
• On Tuesday, Senate Democrats hope to open debate on voting rights legislation.
• The House OK'd a bill combining the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement and Freedom to Vote acts..

WASHINGTON – Following a year that saw Republican-led states tightening election rules and failed congressional attempts to counter those restrictions amid more robust promotion of other priorities, Democrats in Washington have stepped into 2022 with a laser focus on voting rights legislation.

This week, they are using Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the jumping off point to take one of their most aggressive approaches yet: If they don't pass legislation to strengthen voting protections, they'll look at changing the Senate rules regarding the filibuster to get the job done.