THE FILIBUSTER IS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO DEMOCRACY
Jump to today’s scripts:
BACKGROUND
The filibuster has been weaponized by Mitch McConnell to protect minority rule and prevent the government from serving the needs of the majority. Just 41 Senators representing less than 20% of Amercans can block legislation favored by Senators representing the other 80%.
The filibuster is wielded
to deny Democrats legislative successes needed to win in 2022 and 2024
to insulate the rash of voter suppression and partisan gerrymandering that could ensure a decade of Republican legislative control.
Since Biden’s election, Republicans have filibustered the January 6 Commission, Paycheck Fairness Act, $15 minimum wage, and For the People Act.
Other popular House-passed legislation dying in the Senate includes the Pro Act, Dream Act, George Floyd Act, Equality Act, DC Statehood, Violence Against Women Act’s extension, and two gun-control bills.
Existing carved-out exceptions to the filibuster rule, whose passage required only a simple majority, include the budget; executive, judicial and Supreme Court nominees; regulatory review; military base closures; and trade policy.
Filibuster reform to protect democracy cannot wait. Biden and our Senators must use their bully pulpits to convince Senate Democrats to defang the filibuster, allowing S.1 and other critical reforms to pass with a simple majority--as the Constitution’s drafters contemplated.
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].
Although the Senate missed the deadline to completely protect our democracy when it failed to pass S.1 earlier this month, the quick enactment of voting rights legislation in September can still stem the bleeding. During the recess, I expect you to: Publicly and consistently call for modification or elimination of the filibuster, without which voting rights legislation and other critical legislation will never be enacted - Convince President Biden to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and the immediate passage of stalled voting rights legislation before gerrymandering locks in permanent minority rule
- Pressure Sens. Coons, Carper, Manchin, Sinema, and any other wavering Democrats to choose democracy over the Jim Crow filibuster.
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].
Although the Senate missed the deadline to completely protect our democracy when it failed to pass S.1 earlier this month, the quick enactment of voting rights legislation in September can still stem the bleeding. During the recess, I expect you to:
- Publicly and consistently call for modification or elimination of the filibuster, without which voting rights legislation and other critical legislation will never be enacted
- Convince President Biden to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and the immediate passage of stalled voting rights legislation before gerrymandering locks in permanent minority rule
Pressure Sens. Coons, Carper, Manchin, Sinema, and any other wavering Democrats to choose democracy over the Jim Crow filibuster.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
It is time for you to reject the GOP’s obstructionism and begin serving the needs of your constituents.The For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are popular with a majority of Americans. 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 all you are doing to protect our freedom to vote and have our votes counted. Please publicly call on President Biden to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and the immediate passage of stalled voting rights legislation.
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].
It is time for you to publicly reject GOP obstructionism and begin serving the needs of your constituents. The For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are popular in your district. When you return to Washington, I expect you to honor your vow to protect the Constitution and vote for whatever voting rights legislation comes out of the conference committee.
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 all you are doing to protect our freedom to vote and have our votes counted. Please publicly call on President Biden to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and the immediate passage of stalled voting rights legislation.
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 all you are doing to protect our freedom to vote and have our votes counted. Please publicly call on President Biden to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and the immediate passage of stalled voting rights legislation.
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 all you are doing to protect our freedom to vote and have our votes counted. Please publicly call on President Biden to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and the immediate passage of stalled voting rights legislation.
3. Take Action
During the recess, you can attend a town hall, call, email, or write to your MoC, reminding him/her that Congress is running out of time to pass voting rights legislation and must do the following:
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 passage of voting rights legislation
(if MoC is a Senator): Demand your senator pressure his colleagues, like Coons and Carper from Delaware, Manchin from West Virginia, and Sinema from Arizona, and other wavering Democrats, to choose democracy over the Jim Crow filibuster.
FURTHER READING:
The filibuster: A tool for compromise, or a weapon against democracy?
Bills that can’t get passed with the current filibuster rules
6 Bills that have passed the House and still need Senate action
The Only Way to Stop Cocaine Mitch Is to Kill the Filibuster
We once backed using the filibuster. Now it must be reformed.
Biden must make the case for ending the filibuster to protect voting rights
The filibuster must go: Restore majority rule to save our democracy
