John,
Earlier this week, I was invited to CNN again to give the progressive perspective on Joe Manchin’s latest announcement that he won’t support the For The People Act.
In the segment, I talked a bit about why Joe Manchin is the new Mitch McConnell. Here’s why:
Back when President Obama first took office, Mitch McConnell vowed to do everything in his power to stop his agenda. When President Biden took office, he renewed that vow — and now, lawmakers like Joe Manchin are joining Mitch in doing just that.
Both senators refuse to end the filibuster. Both refuse to pass the For The People Act, which would be a critical first step in establishing fair elections and making our government more accountable to the people. Both continue to stand in the way of us accessing our potential as a democracy — but only one of them, Joe Manchin, is a member of the President’s party.
I’m frustrated, John. As elected officials, we have a firm responsibility to bring the much-needed change our constituents voted us in to execute. If we do not deliver this change now, our party will lose upcoming elections.
We simply can’t accept that a couple of Democrats — along with virtually every Republican — are going to hold hostage the legislation our country needs to address the big crises we face, from climate change to income inequality in our society.
I urge Joe Manchin to strongly reconsider the stances he is taking, and how his actions are impacting American democracy. Back in 2019, he co-sponsored a voting rights bill that he recently announced he would vote against because of no Republican support. What changed?
This continued obstruction of social and economic progress doesn’t serve the American people, Republican or Democrat. It serves the interests of corporations, billionaires, and the outrageously wealthy. Manchin may uphold our current political system, but the system is much bigger than him. We must reject the status quo and fight for our democracy at any cost.
John, I’m going to continue calling out all those who refuse to do the right thing for our future. I’m building my time and priorities in Congress around legislating to save our democracy and work towards a future where we can all thrive — but I can’t do it alone. So I’m asking you for your support: Will you please chip in $5 and support my leadership in Congress? Thank you.
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Peace and love,
Jamaal Bowman via LeftNet
PAID FOR BY BOWMAN FOR CONGRESS
