FOR THE PEOPLE ACT IS THE VACCINE AGAINST MINORITY RULE
Passing the For The People Act protect our freedom to vote and inoculates America against minority rule, requiring abolition of the anti-democratic, racist filibuster
Jump to today’s actions:
BACKGROUND
On Tuesday, For the People Act (S.1) was brought to the Senate floor. The first order of business was determining whether to allow debate on legislation to protect our freedom as citizens to vote--the underpinning of our democracy. All 50 Democrats voted “yes.” All 50 Republicans voted “no.”
The Constitution gives the Vice President authority to break such a tie. Because the filibuster, --nowhere mentioned in the Constitution--requires 60 members to agree to begin debate, the Senate went silent.
Since S.1 could have been debated now and filibustered later, McConnell’s move demonstrated that he, not the Democrats, remains the Senate’s kingmaker.
It also spared the GOP from being exposed as the party of voter suppression--which would have become self-evident during weeks of hearing why it opposed expanding voting rights, eliminating partisan gerrymandering, and reducing election corruption.
S.1 is a vaccine protecting American democracy. Dems have two choices:
Abandon the filibuster (or carve out a pro-democracy exception) and preserve our freedom to vote.
Maintain it and watch Republicans solidify their minority rule.
Call your MoCs today and tell them which one to choose. And remind them how the filibuster kills popular, bipartisan legislation Americans want.
1. Call the Senate.
Script for 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].
I am calling about the filibuster’s corrosive effect on the Senate’s ability to function as a deliberative body. What occurred on Tuesday is just the latest example of how the filibuster has been wielded to stop popular legislation that our democracy and citizens need. I want to thank the Senator for fighting long and hard for filibuster reform and ask that he continue working to convince his colleagues that failing to either eliminate the filibuster or create a carve-out for pro-democracy legislation will mortally wound our democracy.
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].
I am calling about the filibuster’s corrosive effect on the Senate’s ability to function as a deliberative body. What occurred on Tuesday is just the latest example of how the filibuster has been wielded to stop popular legislation that our democracy and citizens need. I am asking the Senator to champion filibuster reform and commit to convincing his colleagues that failing to either eliminate the filibuster or create a carve-out for pro-democracy legislation will mortally wound our democracy.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I am calling about the filibuster’s corrosive effect on the Senate’s ability to function as a deliberative body. What occurred on Tuesday is just the latest example of how the filibuster has been wielded to stop popular legislation that our democracy and your constituents need and want. I ask the senator to prioritize people over politics and vote to advance and pass the For the People Act.
2. Call the House.
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].
I am calling about the filibuster’s corrosive effect on Congress’ ability to actually legislate. What occurred in the Senate on Tuesday is just the latest example of how the filibuster has been wielded to stop popular legislation that our democracy and your constituents need and want. Thank you for standing up for democracy. Today I ask you to join Rep. Blumenauer and other House colleagues who are calling on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster and expeditiously pass S.1 and the other popular House bills now languishing there.
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].
I am calling about the filibuster’s corrosive effect on Congress’ ability to actually legislate. What occurred on Tuesday is just the latest example of how the filibuster has been wielded to stop popular legislation that our democracy and your constituents need and want. I am calling today to ask you to prioritize people over politics and join your House colleagues who are calling on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster and pass S.1 and the other House bills now languishing there.
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].
I am calling about the filibuster’s corrosive effect on Congress’ ability to actually legislate. What occurred in the Senate on Tuesday is just the latest example of how the filibuster has been wielded to stop popular legislation that our democracy and your constituents need and want. Thank you for standing up for democracy and joining your colleagues' voices calling on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster and expeditiously pass S.1 and the other progressive, popular House bills now languishing there.
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].
I am calling about the filibuster’s corrosive effect on Congress’ ability to actually legislate. What occurred in the Senate on Tuesday is just the latest example of how the filibuster has been wielded to stop popular legislation that our democracy and your constituents need and want. Thank you for standing up for democracy. Today I ask you to join Rep. Blumenauer and other House colleagues who are calling on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster and expeditiously pass S.1 and the other popular House bills now languishing there.
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].
I am calling about the filibuster’s corrosive effect on Congress’ ability to actually legislate. What occurred in the Senate on Tuesday is just the latest example of how the filibuster has been wielded to stop popular legislation that our democracy and your constituents need and want. Thank you for standing up for democracy. Today I ask you to join Rep. Blumenauer and other House colleagues who are calling on the Senate to eliminate the filibuster and expeditiously pass S.1 and the other popular House bills now languishing there.
3. Take Action
Please keep an eye on our webpage and social media for a list of town halls during the 2-week July 4th Congressional recess. Senator Merkley is doing a virtual town hall on June 29th, 5:30.
Please check out Indivisible national’s phone banks for voter outreach and advocacy:
Arizona Phone Banks: June 29 and July 7
Further Reading
Republicans Block Voting Rights Bill, Dealing Blow to Biden and Democrats
The GOP filibuster of the For the People Act shows they’re afraid to debate
Democrats are almost out of options on voting rights — and other legislative priorities
Senate Republicans Successfully Stall For The People Voting Rights Bill
A top Biden ally just fired a warning shot on the filibuster. Should we believe it?
