Martin Luther King III joins Equal Time to talk with Mary C. Curtis about his father’s “I have a dream” speech, voting rights today and personal memories of his father. Fifty-eight years after his father’s iconic words, MLK III joins John Lewis’ family and others to galvanize the nation to, once again, ensure voting rights for all Americans.
Clyburn: Pass voting bills or Democrats will lose majorities
As a young civil rights activist, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn was involved in protests that led to passage of the Voting Rights Act. Now, the 81-year-old Democrat from South Carolina, whose endorsement is widely credited with helping Joe Biden turn around his bid for the 2020 presidential nomination, says Congress needs to act to stop a new assault on voting.
The House has passed one sweeping bill — dubbed HR 1, or the For the People Act — that sets standards for voting and overhauls campaign finance and ethics law. But an attempt to bring it up was defeated in the Senate. Another measure — dubbed HR 4, or the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act — is being drafted in the House and getting attention in the Senate. Clyburn joined CQ Roll Call’s Equal Time podcast last month to discuss what’s at stake and how he expects it to play out. An edited transcript:
Aug092021
‘This is about whether or not we will have a democracy or an autocracy,’ Clyburn says on voting rights
Voter nullification, authoritarianism and the end of democracy — that’s what Rep. James E. Clyburn says are the very real consequences of not passing legislation to protect voting rights. The South Carolina Democrat emphasized that voter suppression is not just an issue of access to the ballot box, but includes who gets to overturn elections.
“I want you to call it what it is. Use the word. Nullification,” said Clyburn, “It is voter nullification.”
There are currently two bills on the issue, the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, before Congress. Senate Democrats are meeting to hash out a revised bill that could be released next week.
Mary C. Curtis sits down with the House majority whip to discuss voting rights, and to understand what are the very high stakes and what can be done with dwindling time on the clock.
Jul302021
Reporters’ Roundtable
We’re at the Reporters’ Roundtable with a look at some of the top stories of the week. On deck tonight… a pedestrian bridge collapse in dc, President Biden announces a crack down crime and illegal guns. Capitol Hill politics, voting rights, DC statehood, Loudoun County schools and an active NFL player comes out.
Jun242021
If corporations are people, they just might have an opinion
That Pepsi bottle on the counter looks so out of place. My husband has always been a Diet Coke man. It’s a matter of principle, he tells me, even as he admits he prefers “The Real Thing.” Coca-Cola’s statement disapproving of Georgia’s new voting restrictions was too little, too late, and that’s that, he says. All of that puts the Atlanta-based soft drink giant in a bind, since even its belated critical stand was too much for backers of the bill, who are also banishing Coke from their own fridges, they say.
What’s a company to do?
I can’t feel too sorry for Coca-Cola, Delta and the rest, though, since they’ve been playing the political game forever while pretending to be above it all. And I have to stifle a laugh at the Republican politicians who are admonishing corporations and sports leagues now that the bills the GOP instigated aren’t getting a pass. These are the same pols who eagerly accepted campaign donations and good PR in days past.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is astute enough to recognize why his furrowed brow and outraged words are landing with a thud. It’s why his story is constantly changing. He told companies to stay out of politics, was called on it, then said he meant to only offer advice that business leaders read the fine print before opening their mouths and closing their pocketbooks.
Apr152021
Mary C. Curtis: NC Voter ID Law Heads to Court
CHARLOTTE, NC — North Carolina’s latest law requiring voters to show a photo ID at the polls is now on trial.
A panel of judges is hearing arguments in a lawsuit challenging the 2018 law.
WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses what’s at stake and the impact it could have.
You can catch Mary C. Curtis on Sunday nights at 6:30 PM on WCCB Charlotte’s CW discussing the biggest issues in local and national politics and also giving us a look at what’s ahead for the week.
Apr152021
Jim Crow 2.0
After a heated and contentious presidential election in 2020, voting rights are under attack. Georgia just passed a law that makes it harder for those who may be disenfranchised to cast their ballots. Other states are following suit. Mary C. Curtis speaks to Rashad Robinson, president of the social justice organization Color of Change, on what is at stake and what is being done to curtail the rollback of eligible voters to make their voices heard.
Apr082021
Congress Debates Ways To Protect U.S. Capitol, MLB Takes A Stand On Georgia’s New Voting Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Members of Congress debate how to protect the U.S. Capitol and the people who guard it. This comes as a memorial grows for Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans who was killed Friday.
And, Major League Baseball announced this season’s All-Star Game and Draft will not be held in Atlanta. The move is in response to the recently passed election law in Georgia that critics say would make it harder for minorities to vote.
WCCB Charlotte’s Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis weighs in.
Apr052021
Mary C. Curtis: Calls to Boycott Georgia Over New Voting Law
CHARLOTTE, NC — Growing calls from sports and businesses to boycott Georgia over the state’s new voting law.
Justice groups are urging sports organizations, like the PGA tour and major league baseball, to reconsider holding upcoming major events in the state.
Delta airlines and Coca-Cola, two of Atlanta’s biggest brands, are also facing boycott threats.
WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses will the effort work.
You can catch Mary C. Curtis on Sunday nights at 6:30 PM on WCCB Charlotte’s CW discussing the biggest issues in local and national politics and also giving us a look at what’s ahead for the week.
You can also check out Mary’s podcast ‘Equal Time.’
Mar312021
