Friend,

Since I was sworn into office as Georgia's first-ever Black senator just a couple of months ago, I've spent each day working to deliver the change that Georgia - and our country - so badly need. I'm here today, in large part, because of this grassroots team, which helped me finally flip Georgia blue and win back the Senate majority for Democrats. So, thank you.

To mark this new chapter, I'm so excited to share our very first Senate newsletter, in which we'll reflect on the incredible progress we've made so far and look ahead to the things we hope to accomplish next.

During these challenging times, I thank you for your continued support of our movement for progressive change. Please read on to learn more about the work I'm doing to make that change a reality.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

After a difficult year, I'm proud to announce we're finally turning a corner: With our Democratic Senate majority in place, we passed President Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan to provide direct relief to families that need it most.

Right now, $1,400 relief checks are hitting bank accounts across the country. But that's not all: The bill also extends unemployment benefits, provides $2 billion for Georgia to expand access to Medicaid, gives billions more in aid to safely reopen schools and introduces a historic child tax credit that experts predict will cut child poverty in half.

With nearly 500,000 of Georgia's children living in poverty, this is close to my heart - and is just the beginning of what Democrats are doing to make good on our promises to rush urgent relief to American families.

FOR THE PEOPLE ACT

This year alone, Republican lawmakers in Georgia and 42 states across our country have introduced over 250 new voter suppression bills, all aimed at making it harder for voters - young and minority voters in particular - to cast their ballots. It's shameful, and it's a dangerous threat to our democracy.

That's why I am a leading cosponsor of the For the People Act in the Senate, a voting rights reform bill that will expand automatic voter registration and early voting, help end partisan gerrymandering, get dark money out of politics and so much more - all to ensure every eligible American voter can participate in our democracy.

This landmark bill has already passed in the House, and I was proud to help introduce it in the Senate this week. Know that I'm working day in and day out to get it passed.

REFLECT FOR FARMERS OF COLOR

Disaster isn't distributed equally, so when disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic strike, communities of color can feel their effects worst of all.

I've been particularly concerned about Black farmers and other farmers of color, who have faced - and continue to face - discrimination from both private lenders and the federal government, making them particularly vulnerable to the economic damage wrought by this global health crisis.

That's why I've kept my campaign promise to stamp out inequity and injustice wherever I find it: I'm proud to have introduced and helped pass a crucial provision in the American Rescue Plan that will provide $5 billion worth of federal debt forgiveness and economic assistance to farmers of color - addressing decades of unfair lending practices and lifting up our struggling rural communities in the process.

HONORING JOHN LEWIS

The legacy of Congressman John Lewis is a point of eternal pride for the state of Georgia. He believed in the power of the vote: the way people can make real change in our country by showing up and speaking out at the polls.

Being John Lewis' pastor was one of the great honors of my life. Every morning I go to work representing Georgia, I'm motivated to carry on his legacy and keep the dream of the civil rights movement alive. That's why I introduced a bipartisan resolution with Sens. Jon Ossoff and Mitt Romney to honor John Lewis' work as a freedom fighter and statesman.

A resolution can't compare to the towering legacy of John Lewis - but it's our message to history and to the nation that his work does not die with him. I'm proud to be walking in the footsteps of a giant as I fight to strengthen our democracy and defend our sacred right to vote.

Friend, thank you for taking a moment to read about what we've been up to in the Senate - and for standing shoulder to shoulder with me in these critical fights for justice. I look forward to updating you again real soon.

All my best,

Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock



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