SAVING DEMOCRACY REQUIRES A FILIBUSTER CARVE-OUT
Senate practice is full of GOP-approved filibuster carve-outs. We need one more for voting rights.
QUICK READ: Despite Indivisible Oregon’s campaign to pass voting rights bills, the bills are still stuck in the Senate. We are now at democracy’s tipping point. The GOP’s commitment to undermine, not protect and strengthen, democracy, makes a filibuster carve-out imperative. The Senate must remain in session until these bills pass.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
Looking out over the American landscape makes it hard not to despair. Covid is still with us, and, while Trump is gone, Trumpism is undermining democracy in the states and Congress.
Although Democrats won the Presidency, the House, and the Senate, because of the filibuster, McConnell and his insurrectionist party still obstruct governing.
They add billions to the bloated defense budget but fight against the social programs Americans want and need.
They insist that Senate Democrats own the debt limit increase, making a “one-time tweak” to the filibuster, to allow approval by majority vote but won’t do so for voting rights.
Democrats can no longer allow Republicans to manipulate the filibuster, which appears nowhere in the Constitution. Carve-outs already exist for budget bills, Supreme Court appointments, debt ceiling, and rejecting Biden’s vaccine-mandate via the Congressional Review Act.
Voting rights legislation, central to saving our democracy, is more deserving and must immediately be added.
Saving our democracy from GOP gerrymandering, voter suppression and “election theft” must be Senate Democrats’ highest priority. They cannot recess until they create a carve-out and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act by majority vote.
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].
Republicans cannot be allowed to continue manipulating the filibuster. The Senate uses carve-outs for budget bills, Supreme Court appointments, debt ceiling, and rejecting Biden’s mask-mandate under the Congressional Review Act. Protecting voting rights must be added to the list immediately and the Senate must remain in session until the Freedom to Vote Act, the John Lewis Voting Advancement Act, and the Protecting Our Democracy Act pass.
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].
Republicans cannot be allowed to continue manipulating the filibuster. The Senate uses carve-outs for budget bills, Supreme Court appointments, debt ceiling, and rejecting Biden’s mask-mandate under the Congressional Review Act. Protecting voting rights must be added to the list immediately and the Senate must remain in session until the Freedom to Vote Act, the John Lewis Voting Advancement Act, and the Protecting Our Democracy Act pass.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The hypocrisy of approving a carve-out for the debt ceiling but not for protecting our democracy is shameful. You must comply with your oath to protect the Constitution and vote for pending voting rights legislation and the Protecting Our Democracy Act.
ACTION TWO: 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 being a champion for voting rights and helping to pass Thank you for co-sponsoring and voting to pass the Protecting Our Democracy Act. As your constituent, I greatly appreciate your continued work to protect democracy. Now, please convince Senate colleagues to do likewise.
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].
That you voted against the Protecting Our Democracy Act demonstrates clearly that you do not take seriously your oath to protect the Constitution. Shame, shame, shame!
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 and voting to pass the Protecting Our Democracy Act. As your constituent, I greatly appreciate your continued work to protect democracy. Now, please convince Senate colleagues to do likewise.
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 and voting to pass the Protecting Our Democracy Act. As your constituent, I greatly appreciate your continued work to protect democracy. Now, please convince Senate colleagues to do likewise.
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 voting to pass the Protecting Our Democracy Act. As your constituent, I appreciate your work to protect democracy. Now, please convince Senate colleagues to do likewise.
FURTHER READING:
What Is the Filibuster and How Can the Senate Reform It?
Dems invoke Robert Byrd to sell Manchin on Senate rules changes
Senate Dems launch last-ditch effort to change the rules of the chamber
No one in their right mind would design a government that works like ours
Trump’s Next Coup has already begun
The Stupid Right-Wing Law Behind the Senate’s Anti-Vaccine Mandate Vote
Filibuster Reform for Debt Ceiling Fight But Not Voting Rights or Reproductive Freedom?
