DITCH THE FILIBUSTER LOOPHOLE

The filibuster, which institutionalizes the tyranny of the minority and creates gridlock in Washington, must be defanged.

QUICK READ: Rather than legislating with the support of the majority, the Senate’s filibuster loophole is subverting the will of the American people, and it has brought Washington to a standstill. The time for agonizing is over. Democrats must act now to protect our democracy, deal with the debt ceiling, and pass the actions Americans want and need.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

Action One: Call your Senators
Action Two: Call your Representative in the House
Action Three: Join others to fight for democracy

BACKGROUND

In 2020, Americans, believing Democrats’ promises to deliver on the most pressing issues facing our country, gave them control of the House, Senate, and White House.

Yet, a year later, the Jim Crow filibuster, which locks in minority rule by allowing 41 of the 100 Senators to prevent even debate—has blocked Senate consideration of such overwhelmingly popular legislation as voting rights, police justice, immigration, DC statehood, gender discrimination, domestic violence, gun safety, and reproductive rights.

For months Senate Democrats have agonized over this problem, which they have the power to resolve.

But, getting rid of the filibuster is only the first step.

After this, they must quickly pass the pending voting rights bills, whose debate Republicans prevented four times. Otherwise, their refusal to immediately counter states’ voter suppression and gerrymandering will doom both Biden’s presidency and future Democratic control of Congress.

Next comes preventing Republicans from refusing to allow a debt ceiling vote (they almost succeeded last month), which would destroy America’s credit and create deep recessions here and abroad.

After that are all the House-passed bills attacking other problems Democrats promised to solve.

Oregon’s Senators agree. Now they must convince Senate colleagues time is of the essence.

ACTION One: 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].

Thank you for taking a strong position on eliminating the filibuster and working tirelessly for voting rights. Now it is time to convince your colleagues that time is running out and that the Senate must quickly pass the two voting rights bills to protect our democracy, deal with the debt ceiling, and enact the other pending legislation the American people want and need. While Build Back Better is necessary, its provisions will do little if we have lost 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].

Thank you for taking a strong position on eliminating the filibuster and working tirelessly for voting rights. Now it is time to convince your colleagues that time is running out and that the Senate must quickly pass the two voting rights bills to protect our democracy, deal with the debt ceiling, and enact the other pending legislation the American people want and need. While Build Back Better is necessary, its provisions will do little if we have lost 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].

It is time for your party to actually begin to participate in the governing process. Stop obstructing and allow debate on the voting rights bills and other legislation your constituents want and need.

ACTION TWO: 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].

The filibuster is being used to undemocratically subvert the will of the American people and the legislation House members have worked so hard to enact. Please do all you can to convince President Biden and wavering Senate colleagues to forcefully support its defanging or elimination.

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 your party to actually participate in the governing process and support the legislation your constituents need and want.

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].

The filibuster is being used to undemocratically subvert the will of the American people and the legislation House members have worked so hard to enact. Please do all you can to convince President Biden and wavering Senate colleagues to forcefully support its defanging or elimination.

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].

The filibuster is being used to undemocratically subvert the will of the American people and the legislation House members have worked so hard to enact. Please do all you can to convince President Biden and wavering Senate colleagues to forcefully support its defanging or elimination.

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].

The filibuster is being used to undemocratically subvert the will of the American people and the legislation House members have worked so hard to enact. Please do all you can to convince President Biden and wavering Senate colleagues to forcefully support its defanging or elimination.