Yesterday, Senate Republicans filibustered the Freedom to Vote Act, a commonsense compromise bill that ensures every American has access to the ballot box, ends dark money so billionaires can no longer buy our elections, stops partisan gerrymandering so voters have fair and equal representation, keeps voters safe from intimidation, and protects our elections from sabotage, ensuring trusted local officials can securely count every vote.
The GOP filibuster once again proved that Republicans are not good faith actors in the Senate. With unprecedented, nationwide attacks on our democracy, including 33 new restrictive voter laws enacted in 19 states this year alone, the country cannot wait. The Senate must reform its rules to pass this bill and protect the freedom to vote for all Americans.
As Senator Schumer laid out in his speech after the vote yesterday and in his remarks this morning, there is precedent for one party passing voting rights legislation when the other side is opposed to protecting the freedom to vote in any form.
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“To the patriots after the Civil War, [passing voting rights laws] wasn’t partisan. It was patriotic. American democracy is better off today because the patriots in this chamber at that time were undeterred by minority obstruction. Again, today, we feel the same way today.”
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“In the aftermath of the civil war, the majorities in Congress passed transformative measures like the 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution and other civil rights bills, expanding liberty to tens of millions previously deprived of it… Back then, the minority party refused to provide even a single vote to pass these laws, not even one. The minority condemned them as partisan tools of the angry, vengeful north, a power grab. The minority refused to come to the table, so the majority was willing to act alone to pass civil rights legislation. It was not partisan. It was patriotic. Their actions made our democracy stronger and they were willing to do what was necessary, including going it alone, to defend our freedoms. Today, we feel the same way.”
Senate procedure has been frequently updated to pass legislation by a simple majority. Since 1969, there have been over 161 changes and exceptions made to the filibuster, including to pass budget measures, tax breaks for corporations, trade deals, judicial appointments, and other legislation. If the Senate can get around a loophole to pass a tax giveaway for billionaires and corporations or to pass a budget, then certainly they can protect the fundamental freedom to vote with a simple majority.
With Republicans making it clear they are unwilling to work in good faith and the unprecedented assault on voting rights in the states showing no signs of stopping, the Senate must do whatever it takes and quickly pass this bill with or without Republican support.
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