By Andrea Shalal

PHILADELPHIA – U.S. President Joe Biden came to Philadelphia to honour the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. as he presses for more voting rights legislation, and concerted action against rising extremism.

Biden’s visit to the “City of Brotherly Love” comes hours after an FBI hostage rescue team https://www.reuters.com/world/us/police-colleyville-texas-involved-standoff-synagogue-media-2022-01-15 stormed a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, to free three hostages after a more than 10-hour standoff. An additional hostage was released earlier.

After being briefed about the situation, the president said that there were more details to be learned. However, he pledged to fight against anti-Semitism as well as the rise in extremism within the country.

Biden and Jill Biden, the first lady, are helping out at Philabundance in Philadelphia to celebrate Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Biden issued a proclamation Friday warning against complacency. He stated that King must continue his work and enact legislation to safeguard voting rights.

Biden stated in the proclamation that “Living up his legacy and Dr. King’s vision of our Nation requires more than reflection. It requires action.”

The Congress must pass Federal legislation in order to safeguard the right to vote, which is being threatened by an evil combination of voter suppression as well as election subversion.  It is time to confront racism and white supremacy, a scourge on America. We cannot afford to give hate any safe harbour in America.

Biden’s attempt to pass voting rights legislation seems doomed, as Democratic Senators Kyrsten Silena and Joe Manchin stated they oppose changing the Senate filibuster rule. This requires that at least 60 senators must agree on the majority legislation. In a chamber with only 50 Democrats, this requirement is impossible.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to continue debate on the voting rights legislation Tuesday. Schumer stated that he is still willing to change the Senate’s filibuster rules to pass this bill, even if it is blocked by Republicans as hoped. However, given Sinema’s and Manchins positions on the matter, any attempts to alter the filibuster rule seem doomed.

Biden said Thursday that while he doubted the bill’s passage, he was determined to try.

“One thing is for sure: If we fail the first time we will be able to try again. “We missed this opportunity.”

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a voting bill on Thursday. However, Democrats can’t overcome the opposition of all Republicans in the Senate by changing the filibuster.