Junky
Well Known Member
The U.S. House of Representatives just voted by a 234–193 margin to approve H.R. 1 (the For the People Act), the most sweeping and consequential pro-democracy and anti-corruption measure of the past 50 years.
This is a genuinely historic moment, and it happened only because of the work we've done together.
So, take a moment to celebrate this victory, what it means and all we have accomplished together.
OK, the moment is up.
Now we have to start pressuring the U.S. Senate to pass this historic legislation.
Tell the Senate to vote on and pass H.R. 1.
In this moment of celebration and renewed action, it's worth reflecting on what we've just achieved, how we did it and where we need to go.
First:
This truly is an amazing piece of legislation.
Here are just some of its transformative components:
But it's not just that.
Our corrupt political system — dominated by corporations and the superrich — thwarts the aggressive, progressive policy agenda that Americans overwhelmingly support:
H.R. 1 is the cure.
Second:
Extraordinary leaders on Capitol Hill, starting with U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), committed to and drove this legislation forward.
But above all, H.R. 1 is the result of our long years of work advocating far-reaching democracy reform.
This has been a decades-long effort, but the movement really gained momentum on January 21, 2010, when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its disastrous Citizens United decision.
That also was the day when we and others launched the effort for a constitutional amendment to clarify that corporations don't have a right to buy our elections and that political spending is not the same thing as free speech.
Yesterday, by the way, New Hampshire's Legislature took steps so that it will soon become the 20th state to call for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
All of those petitions, protests, calls, meetings and lobby visits over the many years — on the amendment issue and other democracy reforms — made a difference.
Made the difference.
They are the reason the Democratic leadership in the House was ready and inspired.
Indeed, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi this morning attributed the bill to the public mobilization.
Third:
It takes two houses and a presidential signature to pass legislation.
So we can best celebrate this historic day by turning our attention to the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said there won't be a vote in the Senate.
Why?
"Because I get to decide what we vote on."
(Yes, he really said that.)
But that's only partially true.
If We the People apply enough pressure, then we can loosen McConnell's vice grip over his party and ensure a vote.
Even if McConnell is able to forestall a vote this Congress, if there is enough clamor now for H.R. 1, then we set the stage for the legislation to become law in 2021.
If McConnell is so eager to hold a vote on the Green New Deal, a legislative proposal that he strongly opposes, why is he so committed to blocking Senate consideration of H.R. 1?
Could it be that he thinks Republicans will have a hard time voting against pro-democracy reforms?
Is he worried that voters may hold accountable defenders of the current corrupt political system?
McConnell says H.R. 1 is a "power grab."
That "power grab" is also known as "democracy."
And it's exactly what our country desperately needs — and will soon obtain.
Celebrate today's victory by calling on the Senate to act.
Tell the Senate: Consider and pass H.R.1.
If you ever doubt that all of our work together makes a difference, today is definitive proof that it does.
Onward,
Robert Weissman
President, Public Citizen
This is a genuinely historic moment, and it happened only because of the work we've done together.
So, take a moment to celebrate this victory, what it means and all we have accomplished together.
OK, the moment is up.
Now we have to start pressuring the U.S. Senate to pass this historic legislation.
Tell the Senate to vote on and pass H.R. 1.
In this moment of celebration and renewed action, it's worth reflecting on what we've just achieved, how we did it and where we need to go.
First:
This truly is an amazing piece of legislation.
Here are just some of its transformative components:
- Public financing of elections, powered by small donors
- Automatic voter registration
- An end to congressional gerrymandering
- Election Day as a federal holiday
- Mandatory release of presidential tax returns
- Support for overturning Citizens United.
But it's not just that.
Our corrupt political system — dominated by corporations and the superrich — thwarts the aggressive, progressive policy agenda that Americans overwhelmingly support:
- Slashing drug prices
- Winning Medicare-for-All
- Raising the minimum wage to a living wage
- Holding Wall Street accountable
- Averting catastrophic climate change, and much more.
H.R. 1 is the cure.
Second:
Extraordinary leaders on Capitol Hill, starting with U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), committed to and drove this legislation forward.
But above all, H.R. 1 is the result of our long years of work advocating far-reaching democracy reform.
This has been a decades-long effort, but the movement really gained momentum on January 21, 2010, when the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its disastrous Citizens United decision.
That also was the day when we and others launched the effort for a constitutional amendment to clarify that corporations don't have a right to buy our elections and that political spending is not the same thing as free speech.
Yesterday, by the way, New Hampshire's Legislature took steps so that it will soon become the 20th state to call for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United.
All of those petitions, protests, calls, meetings and lobby visits over the many years — on the amendment issue and other democracy reforms — made a difference.
Made the difference.
They are the reason the Democratic leadership in the House was ready and inspired.
Indeed, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi this morning attributed the bill to the public mobilization.
Third:
It takes two houses and a presidential signature to pass legislation.
So we can best celebrate this historic day by turning our attention to the Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said there won't be a vote in the Senate.
Why?
"Because I get to decide what we vote on."
(Yes, he really said that.)
But that's only partially true.
If We the People apply enough pressure, then we can loosen McConnell's vice grip over his party and ensure a vote.
Even if McConnell is able to forestall a vote this Congress, if there is enough clamor now for H.R. 1, then we set the stage for the legislation to become law in 2021.
If McConnell is so eager to hold a vote on the Green New Deal, a legislative proposal that he strongly opposes, why is he so committed to blocking Senate consideration of H.R. 1?
Could it be that he thinks Republicans will have a hard time voting against pro-democracy reforms?
Is he worried that voters may hold accountable defenders of the current corrupt political system?
McConnell says H.R. 1 is a "power grab."
That "power grab" is also known as "democracy."
And it's exactly what our country desperately needs — and will soon obtain.
Celebrate today's victory by calling on the Senate to act.
Tell the Senate: Consider and pass H.R.1.
If you ever doubt that all of our work together makes a difference, today is definitive proof that it does.
Onward,
Robert Weissman
President, Public Citizen
