BIDEN BETS HIS PRESIDENCY ON DEFENDING ELECTIONS
Failure to pass two bills in the Senate could be catastrophic for his presidency and the public’s faith in government. We can’t let that happen.
QUICK READ: States have enacted 33 laws designed to block likely Democrats from the ballot box. Biden is pulling all levers of his office to override these laws. Also, Senate Leader Schumer has pledged to defang the Republican nuke, the filibuster loophole, allowing votes on two bills to protect the will of the majority through fair elections.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
President Biden is going all-in to override a tidal wave of new state laws denying the vote to likely Democrats, especially Black Americans.
In 2021, 19 states passed laws subverting elections. Over a hundred similar proposals are working their way through Republican-controlled state legislatures.
The stakes are enormous. We need to make our voices heard now because allowing these laws to stand will replace the will of the majority – democracy’s foundation – with an unAmerican, anti-democratic minority.
Biden’s presidency – hammered by the defeat of Build Back Better, uncontrolled inflation, and new Covid surges – will be crushed if this effort fails.
Failure will also feed the growing perception that democracy simply cannot deliver for its citizens or, even, to protect itself.
Republicans have used the filibuster loophole four times last year to block the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
Modifying the filibuster requires complete Democratic support. But Sens. Manchin and Sinema, who doomed BBB with their high-visibility drama last year, oppose changing the filibuster.
Only massive public engagement will ensure the Acts’ passage. Pick up your phone, tell your Senators to change the filibuster, then get friends in other states to do likewise. Keep fighting.
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].
Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and must be secured. Doing that will require changing the filibuster. I support your work to do just that.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and must be secured. Doing that will require changing the filibuster. I support your work to do just that.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Blocking efforts to stop election rigging and denying voting profoundly dishonors your oath to defend the Constitution. Have the courage to do what our Founding Fathers call on you to do – protect democracy and the government it creates by allowing votes on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Biden is betting his presidency on protecting the freedom to vote. It’s an enormous gamble that could doom him and the Democratic Party. Do EVERYTHING you can to help him and save our country. Demand a change to the Senate filibuster to allow voting on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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 want you to loudly reject Senate Republicans who are blocking efforts to protect the vote. Have the courage to do what our Founding Fathers call on you to do – protect democracy and the government it creates. Doing less means you and the Republican party are fundamentally unAmerican.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Biden is betting his presidency on protecting the freedom to vote. It’s an enormous gamble that could doom him and the Democratic Party. Do EVERYTHING you can to help him and save our country. Demand a change to the Senate filibuster to allow voting on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Biden is betting his presidency on protecting the freedom to vote. It’s an enormous gamble that could doom him and the Democratic Party. Do EVERYTHING you can to help him and save our country. Demand a change to the Senate filibuster to allow voting on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Biden is betting his presidency on protecting the freedom to vote. It’s an enormous gamble that could doom him and the Democratic Party. Do EVERYTHING you can to help him and save our country. Demand a change to the Senate filibuster to allow voting on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
ACTION 3: Other ways of fighting back
Sign up for the informative ASO Movement Briefings
Freedom to Vote Act Phonebank with Common Cause · Common Cause
Call your Senators to Pass the 'Freedom to Vote Act' | RepresentUs
FURTHER READING:
‘We are going right to the belly of the beast’: Biden takes on Georgia - POLITICO
What Might Democrats’ Voting Rights Bill Entail? | FiveThirtyEight
January 6 speech: Biden urges defense of voting rights, condemns Trump lies
Historians warn of coup unfolding in real time - CNN Video
Schumer makes plea for voting bill, filibuster reform in rare Friday session | TheHill
Chuck Schumer forces Democrats to pick sides on filibusters and voting rights - Vox
Global Public Opinion in an Era of Democratic Anxiety | Pew Research Center
Opinion | Steve Bannon Is Onto Something - The New York Times
