[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4960]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               Filibuster

  Mr. President, the last point I want to make is a very short one.
  According to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, the 
definition of ``filibustering'' is this: ``Filibustering includes any 
use of dilatory or obstructive tactics to block a measure by preventing 
it from coming to a vote.''
  Now, this is exactly what Texas Democrats are doing by fleeing their 
State to avoid a majority vote on an election reform bill. This group 
of Texas legislators flew to Washington, DC, where they are 
hypocritically demanding that the Senate abolish its tradition of 
extended debate so national legislation can be passed on the slimmest 
of majorities. And you can't get any slimmer than a 50-50 Senate.
  The Senate majority leader called these legislators brave and 
courageous for their dishonest filibuster in the Texas Legislature, 
while they denounce the filibuster at the national level.
  Texas is a very large and diverse State, but the United States is 
made up of 50 different States, plus territories, spread over a great 
distance. If the majority ought to not be allowed to rule in Texas, 
then how can they justify breaking the rules and traditions of the 
Senate to impose the will of 50 percent of the country on the other 50 
percent?
  So let's be very clear. As I have said before, the false, evidence-
free claims of widespread voter suppression are as damaging as false 
claims of widespread voter fraud and thus need to stop. The reality is 
that each State is different, so it makes sense that States will have 
different voting processes.
  Discrimination in voting is illegal. It is a Federal crime, and thank 
God it is a Federal crime. Beyond that, diversity in our Nation is a 
strength, not a weakness.
  I yield the floor.