The Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2017 has been introduced in both the House and the Senate. Seems to be a simple issue. Who can be against voting rights? Well, maybe it not quite so simple. Maybe Republicans are against it and they are in charge now.

The House version, H.R.2978 – Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2017, was introduced by Rep.Terri Sewell (D-AL-7) in June. The bill has 188 co-sponsors, all Democrats. As of July, it had progressed to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice. And there it sits.

The Senate version, S.1419 – Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2017, was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D VT). The bill has 46 co-sponsors, 44 Democrats and 2 Independents. In June it had been read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. And there it sits.

Do the Republicans on the committees have problem with the bill? Would they like to suggest changing some of the provisions? Or is it a more general disagreement with the idea of voting rights ? Could we have debate in the whole House or Senate? Or maybe a debate or some sort of public disclosure by the commitees involved?

We are almost at the end of the year. Will Democrats try next year with the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2018 ? Will Republicans again block this effort?