“Lawmakers are the ones putting policies on the books that impact the market—we should not be able to buy and sell stock while in office. It's past time we banned this blatant conflict of interest, and I'm working to get it done in the Senate,” says Oregon’s Sen. Jeff Merkley who has introduced the Ban Conflicted Trading Act.

After a backlash in the Reagan era, politicians sought to make access to higher education easier. Faced with growing demand and costs, colleges raised fees knowing loans would cover their expenses. But the political engineering has led to a $1.7 trillion debt that’s crushing the economy and young workers and exacerbating income inequality.

Although we have not yet protected our freedom to vote and President Biden’s domestic agenda has stalled for the moment, now is not the time for despair. President Biden’s chance to appoint a progressive black woman to the Supreme Court is a cause for celebration. It is also time for us to begin gearing up for the 2022 midterm elections. The GOP’s attempts to keep us from voting will be met with increased activities, so be sure to check out our Action 3 for suggestions on how you can get involved. Given the uncertainties of the moment, it is more important than ever to keep reminding our Members of Congress that they need to keep fighting for us.

“Poverty is a policy choice. By refusing to extend the life-changing child tax credit payments, 50 Senate Republicans are forcing a generation of mothers and children to go without the help they need to survive,” Sen. Ron Wyden.

“Poverty is a policy choice,” says Sen. Wyden. In a sense, so is extraordinary wealth. Wyden, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and Rep. Blumenauer on the House Ways and Means Committee, can help correct both with the Billionaire’s Tax. It would help restore fairness in the tax code, and fairness is a democratic value worth fighting for.

Although we have not yet protected our freedom to vote and President Biden’s domestic agenda has stalled for the moment, now is not the time for despair. President Biden’s chance to appoint a progressive black woman to the Supreme Court is a cause for celebration. It is also time for us to begin gearing up for the 2022 midterm elections. The GOP’s attempts to keep us from voting will be met with increased activities, so be sure to check out our Action 3 for suggestions on how you can get involved. Given the uncertainties of the moment, it is more important than ever to keep reminding our Members of Congress that they need to keep fighting for us.

Biden’s question “What are Republicans for?” sent political journalists scurrying for answers. They found zilch. ”(S)tanding for nothing is not a long-term survival strategy for a party that has managed to win the popular vote in only one presidential election since 1988.” Karen Tumulty, WaPo (1/23). So, to hold power, they have to change how our government is chosen.

Two days ago all 50 Senate Republicans and 2 Democrats refused to modify the filibuster and allow a vote on pending voting rights legislation. Afterwards, Senator Warnock stressed that, despite this major loss, “we cannot turn away. This will not be the last opportunity we get to fight for voting rights. We will meet the moment again, to try again. And again. Until we succeed”—making it more important than ever to keep reminding our Members of Congress that they cannot give up this fight.

The January 6 Commission, the Justice Department, and others are finding damning evidence of government officials and some candidates who aided the Trump coup attempt. The 14th Amendment’s Disqualification Clause prohibits people who’ve engaged in an insurrection against the United States from running for public office. Let’s use it.

Senate Republicans and at least two Democrats are reportedly ready to kill voter protection laws. Denying the vote to people who would vote against them is part of the Republican war on our government. If the bills do indeed fail, it will deliver hard but essential lessons for the fight ahead.

We are experiencing many of the same problems as those countries whose democratic institutions are withering away or have died. We must impress on Congress and President Biden the need to act quickly and decisively to reverse our slide into authoritarianism before it is too late.