What's On Our Mind 1-7-2022

One year after the insurrection at the Capitol we know that the attack on our democracy is not over.

 

Armed extremism is on the rise across the country, fueled by hate and the leaders of the far-right. The GOP continues to spread lies about the 2020 election. They are already planting dangerous seeds of doubt about the integrity of the 2022 election. Some of those that supported and participated in the violence of January 6th are now running for Congress. If elected, they will undoubtedly bring with them that same destructive animus.

 

On January 6th, the Capitol was targeted to forcibly block the counting of the ballots. Now YOU, the voters, are the target. Voting rights have now become the main target in this war on our democracy.

 

The GOP has introduced hundreds of election sabotage bills across the country to control election outcomes, criminalize election officials for doing their jobs, give partisan poll watchers the ability to harass and intimidate voters, and even give legislatures the ability to overrule the will of the voters.

 

Our Senators were elected to be our voice, not to silence and ignore the will of the people - their constituents. They must follow the will of the people and pass the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to prevent partisan politicians from subverting the results of our elections.

 

While we continue to push the Senate to pass these critical bills, the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack pushes ahead with their democratic mission. They have interviewed more than 300 witnesses, announced more than 50 subpoenas, obtained more than 35,000 pages of records. Now they are getting ready to share their findings with the public in the true spirit of open, transparent government. 

 

This is still a dangerous time for our country. But our candidates are willing to do what it takes to protect our democracy. The Select Committee will determine the truth; the Justice Department will punish the perpetrators, and Members of Congress will continue to push forward despite the challenges to safeguard our electoral process.

 

But we need to do our part, as well. A democracy by definition is “a system of government by the whole population.” Join JAC’s Voter Mobilization Team to help turn out the vote in 2022 (click here). Stand with JAC as we fight to pass these critical voting rights bills. Support our candidates. Doing your part is more important than ever. Together, as President Biden said this week, we can see a renaissance of our precious experiment in democracy and move our country toward that more perfect union.

 

Click here to view President Biden's and Vice President Harris' speeches.

 

Read President Biden's full speech here.

Read Vice President Harris' full speech here.