Moments ago, the U.S. Senate completed its first full vote on the For the People Act.

This vote was whether or not to defeat a Republican filibuster and simply begin debate on the desperately needed legislation — it was not the final vote to pass the bill.

Yet every Republican senator — every single one — voted against even beginning debate on legislation that would safeguard voting rights, end partisan gerrymandering, stop billionaires from buying elections, and more.

Now what?

Our nation stands at a crossroads.

Will we allow the forces of racism and plutocracy to eviscerate our democracy? Or will we demand the transformative policies necessary to protect it?

Public Citizen has no intention of letting democracy be smothered on our watch.

Despite Senate Republicans’ rank partisanship and obstructionism, today’s vote is a step on the path to passing the For the People Act. Because — by demonstrating their willingness to deploy the filibuster *against* democracy and their refusal even to permit debate on the For the People Act — Senate Republicans have made it clear:

Senate Democrats must bring the legislation to the floor again and, when they do, be prepared to set aside or work around the filibuster to pass the For the People Act.

This is going to happen.

In coalition with allied organizations, Public Citizen will be a leader over the days and weeks ahead as Americans across the country raise their voices even louder in a powerful demand for democracy.

• We will help organize in-district actions around the country during the upcoming congressional recess.

• We will be part of an intensive lobbying campaign on Capitol Hill.

• We will generate tens of thousands of petitions and letters to senators.

• We will work with allies on the ground in West Virginia, Arizona, and other states — and activate our members in those states — so that the imperative to defend democracy gets through to key senators loud and clear.

• And we are looking to mobilize thousands to march in Washington, D.C., as the For the People Act comes to a head later this summer.

If you can, please donate today to help us defend and strengthen our democracy.

Contribute now.

Or even become a Monthly Donor (if you haven’t already) to help make sure we have the baseline financial strength to keep fighting.

Thank you for anything you can chip in.

And thank you for everything you do as part of Public Citizen.

For democracy,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen
 
 
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