January, 06 2022, 11:46am EDT
Over 150 Pro-Democracy Groups To Schumer: "Do Not Wait Any Longer" to Change Senate Rules, Pass Voting Rights and Democracy Legislation
WASHINGTON
Today, Stand Up America and over 150 national and local pro-democracy organizations in the Declaration for American Democracy and Not Above The Law coalitions released a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to pass voting rights and democracy reform legislation "by whatever legislative means are required." The co-signers applauded Schumer's announcement that he would pursue changes to the Senate rules by Martin Luther King Jr. Day if Republicans continue to block debate on voting rights.
"In the year since insurrectionists violently attacked the U.S. Capitol, we have witnessed ongoing and increasingly dangerous efforts to chip away at the foundation of our democracy, from anti-voter bills already signed into law in 19 states to partisan takeovers of local election administration. Still, the Senate has not been able to pass even a single piece of legislation to strengthen our democracy and protect fair and free elections because Republicans are abusing the chamber's filibuster rule to stop them," wrote the organizations.
"We are encouraged by your recent statements that Senate Democrats are seriously considering restoring the Senate to pave the way for voting rights protections. We believe that changing the rules to bypass Republicans' continued obstruction is the only way to pass meaningful democracy legislation, and we urge you not to wait any longer," they continued.
Full text of the letter is below:
Dear Senate Majority Leader Schumer,
In the year since insurrectionists violently attacked the U.S. Capitol, we have witnessed ongoing and increasingly dangerous efforts to chip away at the foundation of our democracy, from anti-voter bills already signed into law in 19 states to partisan takeovers of local election administration. Still, the Senate has not been able to pass even a single piece of legislation to strengthen our democracy and protect fair and free elections because Republicans are abusing the chamber's filibuster rule to stop them.
The undersigned organizations write to urge Senate Democrats to pass the slate of democracy and voting rights legislation before Congress, by whatever legislative means are required. These bills include the Freedom to Vote Act, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Protecting Our Democracy Act, and D.C. statehood, among others.The Freedom to Vote Act would reverse many of the anti-voter laws passed this year--protecting the freedom to vote for all Americans, stopping partisan gerrymandering, limiting the influence of dark money so that billionaires can't buy elections, and preventing partisan politicians from sabotaging future elections;The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore and strengthen our freedom to vote by ensuring that any changes to voting rules that discriminate against voters based on race or background are federally reviewed, so we all have an equal say and our rights are protected;The Protecting Our Democracy Act would restore checks and balances and prevent future presidents from abusing their power for personal gain or obstructing the transition of power; and,
The Washington, D.C. Admission Act would grant the more than 700,000 residents of our nation's capital a meaningful voice and a vote in Congress, both of which D.C. residents were denied on Jan. 6, 2021. Statehood would also allow D.C. to control its National Guard, which can be called upon immediately to protect our Capitol and other critical sites.We are encouraged by your recent statements that Senate Democrats are seriously considering restoring the Senate to pave the way for voting rights protections. We believe that changing the rules to bypass Republicans' continued obstruction is the only way to pass meaningful democracy legislation, and we urge you not to wait any longer.On Thursday, thousands of Americans from all walks of life will take part in more than 250 vigils to mark the one year since the attack on the Capitol. Speakers will discuss what they felt as they watched insurrectionists attack the Capitol Building in an attempt to overturn a free and fair election. Last January, our nation came too close to not having a peaceful transition of power. One year is enough. We cannot wait until the next violent attack to safeguard our nation. By then, it might be too late.The House of Representatives has already done its job. It is time for the Senate to do right by the American people, and improve the rules of the Senate so they can protect and strengthen our democracy. We implore our leaders in Congress to rise to the moment and honor their duty by urgently passing this slate of crucial democracy and voting rights legislation.Sincerely,
Declaration for American DemocracyStand Up America(SWIM) Statewide Indivisible Michigan20/20 Vision DC7 Directions of ServiceA Better Chance A Better Community (ABC2)A2D2 Ann Arbor inDivisible for DemocracyAct for DemocracyAdvance CarolinaAdvocacy and Training CenterAmerican Federation of TeachersAmerican Friends Service CommitteeAnacostia Coordinating CouncilBend the Arc: Jewish ActionBlack Voters Matter Fund-NCBlack Voters Matter Fund-TNBlue Wave Postcard MovementBOLD ReThinkBroward for ProgressCAMPAIGN FOR AMERICA'S FUTURECampaign Legal CenterCASACause CommunicationsCBFD Indivisible San DiegoCenter for American ProgressCenter for Common GroundCenter for Popular DemocracyChange the Chamber (Lobby for Climate)Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in WashingtonClean Elections TexasClean Elections TexasClean Water ActionClimate Hawks VoteClimate Reality ProjectColor Of ChangeCommon DefenseDC Democratic State CommitteeDC Fiscal Policy InstituteDC for DemocracyDC Statehood CoalitionDC VoteDemCast USADemocracy 21Democracy InitiativeDemocracy MattersDown Home NCEL CENTRO HISPANOEndangered Species CoalitionEqual CitizensEqual Justice SocietyFair Elections for New YorkFaith in Public LifeFaithful AmericaFayetteville Police Accountability Community TaskforceFix Democracy FirstFranciscan Action NetworkFree Speech For PeopleFuture CoalitionGet Money Out - Maryland, Inc.Government Accountability ProjectGreenpeace USAHOLLA! Community Development CorporationIMPAXT, IncIn Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice AgendaIndivisibleIndivisible Acton AreaIndivisible Beach CitiesIndivisible Chicago AllianceIndivisible Howard CountyIndivisible Huron ValleyIndivisible IllinoisIndivisible Livingston CountyIndivisible MarinIndivisible Northern NevadaIndivisible Northville & Neighbors (Western Detroit Suburbs)Indivisible Santa FeIndivisible SistersIndivisible South Bay LAInterfaith Power & LightJ StreetJean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures SocietyLeague of Conservation VotersLeague of Women Voters DCLeague of Women Voters of ArizonaLeelanau IndivisibleLenawee IndivisibleLiberal Leadership LeagueMain Street AllianceMainers for Accountable Leadership ActionMarch OnMATTHEW HENSN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION/UNITED SENIORSMetro Washington Council, AFL-CIOMichiganders for Fair & Transparent ElectionsMid-Ohio Valley Climate ActionMissouri Voter Protection CoalitionMomsRisingNARAL Pro-Choice AmericaNational Council of Jewish WomenNational Council of Jewish WomenNative Organizers AllianceNC Community Outreach & Wellness Center IncNC League of Conservation VotersNeighbors United for DC StatehoodNETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social JusticeNew Mexico & El Paso Region Interfaith Power and LightNew York Jewish AgendaNewtown Action AllianceNextGen AmericaNorth Carolina A. Philip Randolph Educational FundNorth Carolina Coalition - National Council of Negro Women, Inc.North Carolina Council of ChurchesNorth Carolina Voters for Clean ElectionsNorthridge IndivisibleNow We RevolutionNWSOFA-IndivisibleOur MarylandOur RevolutionOur Revolution MarylandOur Revolution MarylandPasquotank NAACPPeace ActionPeople For the American WayPeople's ActionProgressive Turnout ProjectProtect DemocracyReclaim Our DemocracyRepresent MarylandRise Up WVRowan Concerned CitizensSaline IndivisibleSecure Elections NetworkSEIUStand UP Alaska!Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC)The National VoteThe North Carolina Housing Justice for Black LivesThe OutrageThe Social Justice Mobilizing Organizing GroupThe Vocal SeniorityThe Workers CircleTrue North ResearchUn-PACUnitarian Universalist AssociationUnitarian Universalists for Social JusticeUnited Church of ChristUnity Group of ChattanoogaURGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender EquityVermont Interfaith Power & LightVoices for ProgressVoteVetsWestern Front IndivisibleWhat's Next WashingtonWisconsin Democracy CampaignWisconsin Faith Voices for JusticeWMD PPC and ACWACWomen of Color CoalitionWomen's MarchWomen's MarchWriters for Democratic Action
Stand Up America is a progressive advocacy organization with over two million community members across the country. Focused on grassroots advocacy to strengthen our democracy and oppose Trump's corrupt agenda, Stand Up America has driven over 600,000 phone calls to Congress and mobilized tens of thousands of protestors across the country.
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— Vanessa Cardenas (@vcardenas.bsky.social) April 25, 2025 at 6:48 PM
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When historians reflect on this regime, cruelty will be the word most often used to define it. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/u...
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— Robert Reich (@rbreich.bsky.social) April 26, 2025 at 6:44 AM
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— Melanie D’Arrigo (@darrigomelanie.bsky.social) April 23, 2025 at 4:38 AM
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Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.)
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— Rep. Ro Khanna ( @khanna.house.gov) April 25, 2025 at 11:07 AM
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Advocacy groups including Voces de la Frontera, Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR), and Milwaukee Turners led a Friday afternoon protest against Dugan's arrest outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
HAPPENING NOW: A HUGE crowd of protesters have gathered outside a Milwaukee courthouse to support Judge Hannah Dugan after her arrest earlier today
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— Marco Foster ( @marcofoster.bsky.social) April 25, 2025 at 1:46 PM
"To refer to this heinous attack as alarming would be an understatement," MAARPR said in a statement accusing FBI Director Kash Patel of "intentionally being public with his announcement and accusations" and "seeking to bypass Dugan's due process and label her as a criminal before she even has an opportunity to speak up."
"It's no coincidence that Patel and the FBI have acted this way when the agency has a long history of bypassing any due process," the group said. "They are seeking to send a clear message: Either you play along with Trump's agenda, or pay the consequences."
MAARPR continued:
During this period of racist and political repression, we must stand together to denounce today's actions by the FBI. What happened to Dugan is not new. The FBI and other agencies have been emboldened in recent months, snatching people off the streets, separating families, terrorizing communities, breaking doors down of pro-Palestine activists, and contributing to the unjust deportation of immigrants who don't have criminal records. What is new is that they have gone after a judge.
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