From Common Cause (http://www.commoncause.org):
After passing in the House yesterday, the bill is currently headed to the Senate – which means we need to make sure that our senators are ready to fix the filibuster and send it to President Biden’s desk. The rights of voters across the country depend on it.
TAKE ACTION: Call our senators TODAY at 1-833-497-4273 to urge them to fix the filibuster and pass crucial legislation to defend the freedom to vote; alternatively, you can call directly:
- Senator Robert Casey: http://casey.senate.gov
- Senator Pat Toomey: http://toomey.senate.gov
Log your call at https://actionnetwork.org/forms/log-your-call-the-senate-must-pass-the-freedom-to-vote-john-r-lewis-act/.
Here’s what’s going on: last night, a House committee combined the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act into one bill with a new name – the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act.
This bill contains what activists like you and me have been pushing for over the past several months – like protections for eligible voters, nationwide standards to ensure ballot access, provisions to help end gerrymandering, limits on Big Money’s influence, and safeguards against partisan election sabotage – and repairs and strengthens the Voting Rights Act.
Today, the House passed this historic bill and sent it to the Senate. Now, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced that the Senate will debate this voting rights legislation and consider fixing the filibuster – so that Mitch McConnell can’t abuse this outdated, undemocratic rule to block it. President Biden is also expected to head to the Senate today to meet with senators on it.
Because of your calls and letters, a majority of the Senate supports the provisions in the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. Now, we need to get that same majority to vote to fix the filibuster and pass the bill – so it can be sent to President Biden’s desk.
Even if your senator is already supportive, making this call keeps the pressure on and lets them know that this is a high priority for you. And if your senator has expressed opposition or reluctance, calling them is equally important – as your call will show them where their constituents stand and that you’re paying attention.
After watching Mitch McConnell repeatedly abuse the filibuster to block voting rights bills, senators should see that the only way to pass legislation to defend our democracy is to fix the filibuster.
And on Tuesday, President Biden made a speech in Georgia supporting the change, saying: “Let the majority prevail… we have no option but to change the Senate rules, including getting rid of the filibuster for this.” [1]
I’m sure that, just like me, you’re worried about what kind of democracy we’ll leave for the next generation. Now more than ever, your voice can make a difference in this fight.
P.S. Finished calling your senators and want to do even more to help fix the filibuster? Join our Letter to the Editor Party this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET to write to your local newspapers about this issue >>
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