While broader federal voting rights legislation remains mired in the Senate as long as the 60-vote filibuster rule applies, Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) told Axios there’s “some interest” among Senate Republicans in reforming the Electoral Count Act of 1887.

The goal would be to clarify the role the vice president and Congress play in certifying presidential elections…

But, but, but: Some Democrats are concerned that making changes to the Electoral Count Act would reduce the urgency to pass federal voting rights bills.

Indeed, part of the appeal for Republicans is that reforming the Electoral Count Act relieves the pressure for election reform that might prompt Democrats to kill or seek a carve-out to the filibuster.