The For the People Act

Filibuster Staged to Block For the People Act Advancement

Washington, DC (6/22/21) — On Wednesday June 22, fifty Democratic Senators voted to open debate on legislation that would enact national standards to protect our freedom to vote. As expected, the motion failed because of an arcane procedural loophole that requires 60 votes to begin debate.

As we respond to this key national moment, we must remember that every step of progress we’ve made in this country has always been met with resistance and that our fight is much bigger than this one bill or this one vote.

Whatever our identity, background or zip code, in America we value our freedom. When it comes to setting the rules for our lives, we want the freedom to vote in a transparent process we trust so we can elect leaders who deliver for us from creating jobs to providing affordable care.

But now the Republican Senators who blocked an investigation into the deadly attack on our Capitol are trying to use the same loophole to block legislation that the majority of Americans across the political spectrum are demanding to protect our freedom to vote.

This is a turning point for our nation. Our leaders must exercise their majority, eliminate the filibuster, and pass the For the People Act to create national standards for us to safely and freely cast our ballots, have our voices heard, and elect leaders who deliver on our priorities.

Make your voice heard to ensure this once-in-a-generation pro-democracy package passes in the Senate! 

Democracy NC Joins National Call on Senate Majority Leader to Not Allow Filibuster to Block For the People Act

Washington, DC (4/09/21) —  On Friday April 9, Democracy North Carolina joined nearly 150 groups representing millions of advocates across the county to send Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer a letter calling on him to eliminate the filibuster and pass the For the People Act. In the letter, it was highlighted how the filibuster historically has been a tool that has blocked progress on civil and voting rights bills, and cited President Obama’s call to eliminate the “Jim Crow relic.” The letter also connects dots between voter suppression bills moving across the country, such as the “Election Integrity Act” S-326 filed right here in North Carolina, and the need to move quickly on the For the People Act to prevent these racist practices from eroding our democracy.

Key excerpts from the letter:

“Now that the American Rescue Act is signed into law and delivering benefits to workers, families, and communities, we urge the Senate Democratic majority, under your leadership, to move quickly to address another major crisis facing our nation by passing S.1, the For the People Act. And to make sure that can get done, we call on you to eliminate the filibuster as a weapon that a minority of senators can use to overturn the will of the majority and prevent the For the People Act from even getting an up-or-down vote.”

“…we know that if Minority Leader McConnell can use the filibuster as a weapon to keep our democracy rigged and prevent President Biden and Senate Democrats from delivering on their promises, then the For the People Act is unlikely to become law.”

“Senate Democrats will soon face a choice: Protect our democracy and pass the For the People Act, or protect the filibuster – an outdated and abused ‘Jim Crow relic’ that deserves to be tossed into the dustbin of history. We strongly urge you and the Senate Democratic caucus to do the right thing and not allow the filibuster to once again stand in the way of civil rights, voting rights, racial justice, and the strengthening of our democracy.”

For the People Act Will Make Voting Simpler, Safer, and Fairer

Washington, DC (3/16/21) —On Wednesday March 16, the For the People Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate as S.1, indicating this legislation is a top priority for this session.

This pro-democracy package will protect and strengthen our sacred right to vote, especially in Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, combat corruption by passing pro-ethics measures to hold our elected leaders accountable, and end the dominance of big money in politics so the people’s voice can be heard.

The For the People Act is our pathway to a fully functioning democracy—one where all voices can be heard; where the public interest, not special interests, guide decision-making; and where the people can put faith in their leaders to do the right thing for the country.

This historic pro-democracy package will modernize our voter registration system to include automatic and online voter registration, curb the practice of removing people from voter rolls if they miss voting in recent elections, and restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated people who have served their time, ensuring no person permanently loses their right to vote.

The For the People Act will: 

Make Voting Simpler, Safer and Fairer

• Automatically register voters through the state DMV or other social agencies.
• Restore voting rights to those previously incarcerated immediately upon release.
• Curb the act of removing voters from the rolls just for missing recent elections.

Get Big Money Out of Politics

• Support the overturning of Citizens United.
• Create a federal donor matching system for congressional elections.
• Encourage ordinary people, particularly women and people of color, to run for office without relying on corporate donations.

Hold Elected Leaders Accountable

• Ban racist and partisan gerrymandering through the establishment of Independent Redistricting Commissions.
• Instate a code of ethics for the United States Supreme Court.
• Require all major federal candidates disclose their tax returns.

It’s time for our Congress to pass and sign the For the People Act into law. This bold pro-democracy package will heal our country and build a more just, fair, and inclusive democratic society.

Tell NC Senators Tillis and Burr to act swiftly and pass the For the People Act in the Senate, ensuring every person has the freedom to vote.