THE SENATE MUST ACT NOW TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY
Jump to today’s scripts:
BACKGROUND
Unless the Senate passes the For the People Act (S.1) soon, millions of eligible voters--BIPOC, disabled veterans, young voters and the elderly--will be disenfranchised, because all GOP Senators refuse even to consider S.1.
Since January, there’s been a wave of voter suppression laws, which Biden labeled the “most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War,” but he refuses to fight for filibuster reform. Instead, he clings to the discredited notion that enough GOP Senators will support S.1’s passage.
In August, the census results’ release will generate another round of extreme gerrymandering destroying Dems’ ability to maintain control of the House.
S.1--the most effective shield protecting the sacred freedom to vote--would prevent these outcomes. But it, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Enhancement Act being finalized in the House, can only pass if the filibuster’s eliminated or there’s a voting rights carve-out.
We must daily exhort our Senators to
Definitively endorse either a voting rights carve-out or the filibuster’s elimination
Commit to push Biden to use his bully pulpit to convince recalcitrant Dems to pass S.1 by any means possible
Stay in session until our democracy is protected.
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].
Unless the Senate passes the For the People Act (S.1) soon, millions of eligible voters--BIPOC, disabled veterans, young people and the elderly--will be disenfranchised. I need your help convincing Biden to fight for filibuster reform, without which S.1’s passage is impossible. I am also asking you to publicly commit to either the filibuster’s elimination or a voting rights carve-out, so S.1 can pass before mid-August, when the census results are released. Congress must remain in session until our democracy is protected.
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].
Unless the Senate passes the For the People Act (S.1) soon, millions of eligible voters--BIPOC, disabled veterans, young people and the elderly--will be disenfranchised. I need your help convincing Biden to fight for filibuster reform, without which S.1’s passage is impossible. I am also asking you to publicly commit to either the filibuster’s elimination or a voting rights carve-out, so S.1 can pass before mid-August, when the census results are released. Congress must remain in session until our democracy is protected.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The right to vote is at the heart of democracy and must be protected for every voter, regardless of party. Voter suppression in any form is wrong. Do the right thing and vote for the For the People Act.t.
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].
Thank you for speaking out about the importance of the For the People Act, which must pass before mid-August, when the census results are released. I need your help convincing Biden to fight for filibuster reform, without its passage is impossible. I am also asking that you quickly pass the John Lewis Voter Enhancement Act after updating it to withstand future legal challenges. Congress must remain in session until this is accomplished.
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 to demand that you speak out about the Big Lie and the legitimacy of Biden’s win. Until you do so, you are enabling not only this falsehood but the attack on our democracy that is occurring across the country. It is time for you to tout Oregon’s successful vote-by-mail system and to work to protect our democracy by voting for the John Lewis Voter Enhancement Act.
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].
Thank you for speaking out about the importance of the For the People Act, which must pass before mid-August, when the census results are released. I need your help convincing Biden to fight for filibuster reform, without its passage is impossible. I am also asking that you quickly pass the John Lewis Voter Enhancement Act after updating it to withstand future legal challenges. Congress must remain in session until this is accomplished.
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].
Thank you for speaking out about the importance of the For the People Act, which must pass before mid-August, when the census results are released. I need your help convincing Biden to fight for filibuster reform, without its passage is impossible. I am also asking that you quickly pass the John Lewis Voter Enhancement Act after updating it to withstand future legal challenges. Congress must remain in session until this is accomplished.
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].
Thank you for speaking out about the importance of the For the People Act, which must pass before mid-August, when the census results are released. I need your help convincing Biden to fight for filibuster reform, without its passage is impossible. I am also asking that you quickly pass the John Lewis Voter Enhancement Act after updating it to withstand future legal challenges. Congress must remain in session until this is accomplished.
3. Take Action
To preserve our freedom to vote, Congress must hear from constituents across the country. Please email/text this action to 5 friends in other states – especially those in red states – and ask them to call today.
Sources:
Mr. President, You’re Just Plain Wrong on Voter Suppression
150 Voting Rights Groups Warn Biden Against Attempting to ‘Out-Organize Voter Suppression’”
Democrats’ Divide on Voting Rights Widens as Biden Faces Pressure
Letter from Leadership Conference to President Biden, July 22, 2021
New Letter from 31 Former Senate Chiefs of Staff: “Repeal or Reform” the Filibuster
Voting Laws Roundup: July 2021
Biden says he doesn't want voting rights 'wrapped up' in filibuster debate
