The Democratic-led House on Thursday turned down a proposal to let 16-year-olds vote in federal elections, which Republicans said is a plot to put more Democrats in office.
Almost every Republican and nearly half of the Democrats voted against the amendment from Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., and it failed 126-305.
During debate on the idea, Pressley argued Congress needs to lower the voting age so “young people can have a say in federal elections.”
“From gun violence to climate change, our young people are organizing, mobilizing and calling us to action,” she said on the House floor. “They are at the forefront of social and legislative movement and have earned inclusion in our Democracy.”
Republicans disagreed and said Democrats were really trying to create more people who are likely to vote for Democrats.
“I’m of the opinion that we shouldn’t arbitrarily lower the voting age just because right now, I believe Democrats think they’ll gain more votes,” said Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill. “I believe it will institutionalize a Democrat majority here in this House of Representatives.”
Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., said on the floor about Pressley’s language, “I think this is foolish.”
Republicans also argued the Constitution effectively sets a minimum voting age of 18, by saying the rights of people that age and older can’t be denied. That language, found in the 26th Amendment, doesn’t prohibit Congress from setting a lower voting age.
