THE FILIBUSTER PERVERTS OUR GOVERNMENT. IT MUST GO NOW.
Jump to today’s scripts:
BACKGROUND
Republicans are stealing the next election through voter suppression and nullification, and extreme gerrymandering--because the filibuster, which isn’t in the Constitution, prevents the majority from passing voting protections.
S.1., the popular House-passed legislation is again dying in the Senate for the same reason.
And, Senators representing a minority of Americans prevented investigation of January’s attempted coup.
The Senate filibuster, perverting our government and destroying our democracy, makes all these possible:
It undermines majority rule, the founding principle of our democracy, by giving the minority power to block all of Biden’s legislative agenda.
The resulting legislative gridlock disrupts the balance of powers, forcing the executive and courts to fill the void.
Created by racists, it disenfranchises BIPOC communities and protects these assaults on our democracy.
It blocks debate, so Republicans can hide their unpopular positions.
Its selective application favors Republicans, requiring 60 votes to protect voting rights but only 50 to stack the Supreme Court with justices who undermine them.
In a democracy, elections must have consequences. Voters expect the winners to pass promised legislation. Biden must use his bully pulpit to convince Senate Democrats to defang the filibuster so S.1 and other needed reforms can pass by the majority.
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].
Question: How can the passage of legislation protecting voting rights require 60 votes while it takes only 50 to stack the Supreme Court with justices committed to undermining them? Answer: Because Democrats refuse to defang the filibuster. During the recess I expect you to:
- Speak out about the importance of passing voting rights legislation and pressure Senate colleagues, such as Coons, Carper, Manchin, and Sinema, to do likewise,
- Publicly and consistently call for modification or elimination of the filibuster, without which voting rights legislation will never be enacted
- Convince President Biden to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and the immediate passage stalled voting rights legislation
- Convince your caucus to immediately return to Washington to pass S.1 and HR.4 before gerrymandering locks in permanent minority rule.
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].
Question: How can the passage of legislation protecting voting rights require 60 votes while it takes only 50 to stack the Supreme Court with justices committed to undermining them? Answer: Because Democrats refuse to defang the filibuster. During the recess I expect you to:
- Speak out about the importance of passing voting rights legislation and pressure Senate colleagues, such as Coons, Carper, Manchin, and Sinema, to do likewise,
- Publicly and consistently call for modification or elimination of the filibuster, without which voting rights legislation will never be enacted
- Convince President Biden to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and the immediate passage stalled voting rights legislation
- Convince your caucus to immediately return to Washington to pass S.1 and HR.4 before gerrymandering locks in permanent minority rule.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
In a democracy elections have consequences. The For the People Act is popular with a majority of Americans, which, in a democracy, is supposed to drive their representatives’ behavior. When you return to Washington, I expect you to honor your vow to protect the Constitution and vote for the voting rights legislation that is introduced.
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 co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Advancement Act. In addition to working for its swift passage, I’m asking you to both publicly speak out for filibuster reform and convince President Biden to do likewise. Without at least a filibuster carveout, no voting rights legislation will ever reach his desk.
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].
In a democracy elections have consequences. When you return to Washington, I expect you to vote for the John Lewis Voting Advancement Act, which is popular with your constituency. I also expect you to vote for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which includes funding for programs your constituents need—such as broadband expansion, roads and bridges, power grid resiliency, wildfire mitigation, drought relief, electric vehicle charging stations, public transportation, and tribal water assistance.
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 co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Advancement Act. In addition to working for its swift passage, I’m asking you to both publicly speak out for filibuster reform and convince President Biden to do likewise. Without at least a filibuster carveout, no voting rights legislation will ever reach his desk.
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 co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Advancement Act. In addition to working for its swift passage, I’m asking you to both publicly speak out for filibuster reform and convince President Biden to do likewise. Without at least a filibuster carveout, no voting rights legislation will ever reach his desk.
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 co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Advancement Act. In addition to working for its swift passage, I’m asking you to both publicly speak out for filibuster reform and convince President Biden to do likewise. Without at least a filibuster carveout, no voting rights legislation will ever reach his desk.
3. Take Action
During the recess, it is important to impress upon your Members of Congress (MoC)
the importance of passing voting rights legislation
The need for your MoC to publicly and consistently call for modification or elimination of the filibuster, without which voting rights legislation will never be enacted
The need to get President Biden to agree to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and passage of voting rights legislation
So, find a town hall where you can express your views or contact your MoC regularly with these demands.
FURTHER READING:
Young people to Schumer: ‘Eliminate the filibuster to protect our future”
The Only Way to Stop Cocaine Mitch Is to Kill the Filibuster
We once backed using the filibuster. Now it must be reformed.
Once Again, I’m Telling You That the Filibuster Doesn’t Actually Work
Biden must make the case for ending the filibuster to protect voting rights
The filibuster must go: Restore majority rule to save our democracy
Senate Filibuster is a Perverted Use of an Outdated Rule
Voters didn’t elect us to do nothing and blame the Senate filibuster. Get rid of it.
