A SIMPLE MAJORITY TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY
Jump to today’s actions:
Background
We deserve the freedom to vote, to select our representatives through non-partisan redistricting, to know who contributes to campaigns, and to hold government officials to ethical standards. S1 addresses all of these. It does not, however, restore Voting Rights Act protections gutted by SCOTUS in 2013. Those rights will require also passing the the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR4).
The Senate is the only legislative body in the world that requires a supermajority to pass legislation. Senators don't even need to show up to deliberate and vote on a bill. Instead, one senator votes against cloture, they all leave, and the legislation dies.
President Biden and Senate Democratic leadership now support changing Senate rules to allow a 51-vote simple majority to pass his legislative agenda: rural broadband expansion, permanent child tax credit, climate, gun, and voting legislation. S1 and HR4 are part of this agenda.
Today, the Senate Rules committee met to determine the rules for saving our democracy. As has become usual, Republicans and their witnesses spewed unsubstantiated misinformation laced with racism.
Although yesterday's hearing ended without a vote, our Senators need our support to keep working for S1 and the democracy we deserve.
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].
I thank Senator Merkley for introducing S1 and for his thoughtful and thorough work during the rules committee hearing yesterday.
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].
I thank the Senator for his support for both S1 and eliminating the filibuster so that it and other democracy-strengthening and people helping legislation can pass by a simple majority.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The unsubstantiated misinformation put forth by your Republican colleagues on the rules committee yesterday was horrifying. I urge you to put your constituents' needs and our democracy above partisan loyalty and loyalty to a particular leader.
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].
As the Senate rules committee debated the rules governing passage of the For the People Act yesterday, I was reminded that you voted for it when it passed the House. I'm calling today to thank you again for your vote to restore and strengthen our democracy and thus the representation of our needs and safety in government.
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].
As the Senate rules committee debated the rules governing passage of the For the People Act yesterday, I was reminded that you voted against strengthening our democracy and against the rescue package to help us during a pandemic that Republicans refused to acknowledge or do anything about for over a year. You may have been elected, but you do not represent your constituents' best interests.
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].
As the Senate rules committee debated the rules governing passage of the For the People Act yesterday, I was reminded that you voted for it when it passed the House. I'm calling today to thank you again for your vote to restore and strengthen our democracy and thus the representation of our needs and safety in government.
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].
As the Senate rules committee debated the rules governing passage of the For the People Act yesterday, I was reminded that you voted for it when it passed the House. I'm calling today to thank you again for your vote to restore and strengthen our democracy and thus the representation of our needs and safety in government.
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].
As the Senate rules committee debated the rules governing passage of the For the People Act yesterday, I was reminded that you voted for it when it passed the House. I'm calling today to thank you again for your vote to restore and strengthen our democracy and thus the representation of our needs and safety in government.
Action 3 - Help Pass For the People Act in the Senate
Please check IndivisibleOr.org for updates on voter outreach actions in support of pro-democracy legislation.
SOURCES:
Biden prepared to chuck filibuster in bid to reshape America, quickly - Axios
https://www.axios.com/biden-filibuster-agenda-history-05be3812-6ee0-414b-ae71-b6dfa37d8df4.html
Senate Panel Hearing Focuses on Election Overhaul
Why Mitch McConnell Didn’t Kill the Filibuster | Democracy Docket
https://www.democracydocket.com/2021/03/why-mitch-mcconnell-didnt-kill-the-filibuster/
