PRO-DEMOCRACY LEGISLATION REQUIRES PRO-DEMOCRACY COURTS

Jump to today’s actions:

Call the Senate
Call the House

Background

Underpinning democracy is the freedom to vote — which is under attack by the GOP.

Although courts are supposed to protect this fundamental freedom, the Roberts Court is hostile to democracy:

Gutting the Voting Rights Act.
Allowing hyper-partisan gerrymandering.
Approving unlimited dark money flooding politics.
Okaying GOP efforts making voting during the pandemic harder.

In a recent leaked video, the Heritage Foundation bragged about writing the current voter suppression bills--making quick passage of the For the People Act (S.1) even more urgent. Otherwise, we’ll lose our freedom to vote and our democracy.

For decades, the GOP’s controlled the Supreme Court--appointing 15 of the last 19 justices, despite receiving fewer votes in 7 of the last 8 presidential elections. The current Court’s 6-3 majority was also appointed by Bush and Trump, GOP popular vote losers.

Expanding the Supreme Court is a necessary first step in weakening the anti-democratic supermajority’s power, protecting S.1’s democracy reforms and ensuring that Biden and Congress can enact transformative changes.

A democracy that works for everyone requires the support of a pro-democracy judiciary. Thus, the Senate must act swiftly, reforming the filibuster so that it can pass S. 1 and the Judiciary Act to begin rebalancing the courts.

1. Call the Senate.

Script Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Underpinning democracy is the freedom to vote, which is under attack by the GOP, with the help of the Heritage Foundation and the Roberts Court. To preserve our democracy, the Senate must act swiftly--reforming the filibuster so that it can pass S. 1 and begin to rebalance the federal courts through passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (S.1141). Please do all that you can (1) to convince wary Senators that the filibuster must be reformed and S. 1 must be passed expeditiously, and (2) co-sponsor and push for passage of S.1141 to prevent the judicial evisceration of S.1 and other transformative pending legislation. Thank you.

SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Underpinning democracy is the freedom to vote, which is under attack by the GOP, with the help of the Heritage Foundation and the Roberts Court. To preserve our democracy, the Senate must act swiftly--reforming the filibuster so that it can pass S. 1 and begin to rebalance the federal courts through passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (S.1141). Please do all that you can (1) to convince wary Senators that the filibuster must be reformed and S. 1 must be passed expeditiously, and (2) co-sponsor and push for passage of S.1141 to prevent the judicial evisceration of S.1 and other transformative pending legislation. Thank you.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

Underpinning democracy is the right to vote, which is under attack by your GOP, with the help of the Heritage Foundation and the Roberts Court. I demand that you put fealty to the Constitution above partisan politics and vote for swift passage of the For the People Act (S.1). This legislation is very popular with your constituents, and we are watching you.

2. Call the House.

Look up your rep.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Underpinning democracy is the right to vote, which is under attack by the GOP, with the help of the Heritage Foundation and the Roberts Court. Thank you for passing HR.1 and working for passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. To preserve our democracy, we need a democratic judiciary. So, please co-sponsor and push for swift passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (HR.2584).

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Underpinning democracy is the right to vote, which is under attack by your GOP, with the help of the Heritage Foundation and the Roberts Court. I demand that you put fealty to the Constitution above partisan politics and vote for swift passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (HR.2584). Your constituents are watching you.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Underpinning democracy is the right to vote, which is under attack by the GOP, with the help of the Heritage Foundation and the Roberts Court. Thank you for passing HR.1 and working for passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. To preserve our democracy, we need a democratic judiciary. So, please co-sponsor and push for swift passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (HR.2584).

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Underpinning democracy is the right to vote, which is under attack by the GOP, with the help of the Heritage Foundation and the Roberts Court. Thank you for passing HR.1 and working for passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. To preserve our democracy, we need a democratic judiciary. So, please co-sponsor and push for swift passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (HR.2584).

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Underpinning democracy is the right to vote, which is under attack by the GOP, with the help of the Heritage Foundation and the Roberts Court. Thank you for passing HR.1 and working for passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. To preserve our democracy, we need a democratic judiciary. So, please co-sponsor and push for swift passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (HR.2584).

3. Take Action.

Demand Justice has launched a multifaceted campaign to urge Democratic Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor and work for the passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021, with the goal of pressuring Majority Leader Schumer and House Speaker Pelosi to bring it up for a vote in the Senate and the House. One facet involves contacting small donors who have contributed to Democratic campaigns urging them to tell the recipient of their donations about the importance of this legislation. To learn more about this campaign and how you can get involved, please click here.