John,

Our democracy is in trouble. After witnessing the attack on our Capitol one year ago today, and the subsequent voter suppression laws passed in state after state throughout the last 12 months, we cannot sit idly by. The good news is we have legislation ready that will protect and strengthen voting rights for generations to come.

The Senate must pass the Freedom to Vote Act to save our democracy. If Republicans block it, as former Senator Robert Byrd famously said, Senate Rules “must be changed to reflect changed circumstances.” That means we must reform outdated filibuster rules to allow our democracy to continue to function.

Send a message to your senators demanding they pass the Freedom to Vote Act―and, if necessary, update the filibuster to do so.

Thank you for all you do to demand accountability from our political leaders and to fight for our shared priorities.

Nicolai Haddal
Field and Events Manager, Coalition on Human Needs

-- DEBORAH’S EMAIL --

John,

Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reflected on the terrible assault on our democracy by a violent mob on January 6, 2021, and called for clear action to defend our democracy.  

"One year ago this week, we experienced great sorrow: mere hours after the dawn of a new Congress and a new Majority, our beloved Capitol was attacked. It was attacked in a naked attempt to derail our Republic’s most sacred tradition: the peaceful transfer of power. Domestic violent extremists sought to inflict chaos and violence. Fueled by conspiracy and the ravings of a vengeful former President, they sought to destroy our Republic. Our democracy held – for now."

Join CHN in fighting to strengthen our democracy by sending a message to your senators and demand they vote YES on the Freedom to Vote Act.

Here is some of what this critical legislation will do: [1]

• This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, and campaign finance.

• Specifically, this legislation expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls.

• Establishes Election Day as a federal holiday.

• The bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence.

Senator Schumer is moving forward aggressively. If there is no bipartisan support for voting rights legislation, he intends to propose reforms to the antiquated Senate filibuster rules to ensure our democracy is protected. He said the rules may be changed by Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 17) "to protect the foundation of our democracy: free and fair elections."  

Can you join CHN in sending a message to your senators to demand they do whatever it takes, including reforming the outdated filibuster, to pass the Freedom to Vote Act?

Thank you for all you do to fight for our democracy and for the needs of working families, the vulnerable, the sick and the poor.

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs