What's on Our Mind 2-26-2021

What's On Our Mind

Several anti-choice groups have launched a $5 million campaign to defeat a bill dealing with voting rights. They have a clear interest in keeping people from voting.

For the People Act, H.R. 1, is a historic voting rights, anti-corruption, ethics, and clean elections bill.

“If we could get the reforms of H.R. 1 embodied into law, it would be absolutely transformational. It would be the most robust, breathtaking reforms that we’ve seen in two generations,” said the bill’s author, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD).

H.R. 1 incorporates key measures that are urgently needed, including automatic voter registration and other steps to modernize our elections, a national guarantee of free and fair elections without voter suppression, and a commitment to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. The bill also contains other critical campaign finance reforms.

The House is expected to vote on H.R. 1 next week. Every House Democrat has sponsored the legislation.

The bill passed last session in the House but was killed in the Senate by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). It will pass the House again this time. Even though it will reach the Senate floor, its fate is not certain with the 50/50 split in the Senate.

We cannot afford to lose any Democrats. The spotlight will be on Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Jon Tester (D-MT), whose support for the bill is not rock-solid.

Call their offices at 202-224-3121. Tell them support H.R. 1.

We do have four new JAC-supported Senators that will vote for the bill. But we need more. Every Senator votes on every issue you care about. Elections have consequences.

Voters across the country face barriers and obstacles ranging from registering to vote to actually voting. Our democracy hinges on fair, open, and secure elections.

The GOP and extremist groups know what’s at risk when more people vote. We better know what’s at risk when they don’t.

Keep calling.