John,
Republicans in Congress are no longer committed to democracy. In fact, many of them are doing everything in their power to subvert it.
They know the majority of Americans don’t support the hateful, conspiratorial, and authoritarian views that emanate from the undisputed leader of their party, Donald Trump.
That’s why the GOP is determined to suppress millions of votes in the midterm elections to cement minority control in the House for the next decade — and perhaps permanently. It’s a clear and present danger to our country and democracy.
Last week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a disgraceful voter suppression bill into law — in a state that already ranks near the bottom in voter turnout due to the GOP’s endless, anti-democratic assault on voting rights. Abbott’s pushing a false narrative that the voting restrictions will prevent “cheating at the ballot box." That’s GOP code for voter suppression.
The law not only bans measures like drive-through polling places and 24-hour voting that make voting easier, but restricts the use of drop-boxes and empowers radical, right-wing poll-watchers. In a state that allows people to publicly carry firearms without so much as a permit.
It’s a dangerous form of intimidation. It’s unacceptable. And we have to stop it.
Republicans will try to pretend their restrictions are about “making our elections more secure.” We know that isn’t true, and no more than a smokescreen. Is depriving people of water while they wait to vote in long lines in urban areas somehow supposed to improve voter security? None of it passes the smell test; it’s just blatant and cynical discrimination. And it’s up to Senate Democrats to do what is necessary to save our democracy from permanent, authoritarian GOP minority rule. And we need to be loud to let them know how dire this moment is.
Sign my urgent petition demanding the Senate abolish the filibuster and pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act this month. The Senate must act now to protect the sacred right to vote from the GOP’s relentless assault.
The vast majority of Americans believe every person deserves equal access to the ballot box. It’s one of our fundamental freedoms. The very lifeblood of our democracy.
This is a critical moment. What happens next requires everyone who cares about defending American democracy to make a stand, and do so together. Thanks for joining me in taking action at this critical juncture for our country.
— Adam
