Freedom to Vote Act

President Biden, Vice President Harris Members of the United States Congress We are Chitthi Brigade, a grassroots volunteer organization of like-minded individuals, with a keen interest in political and social justice causes and a strong commitment to creating an atmosphere of respectful engagement and meaningful dialogue. Chitthi, a word in Tamil meaning “mother’s younger sister”, was used in the acceptance speech by Vice President Kamala Harris, and inspired us to band together and contribute successfully to the 2020 elections. We campaigned, canvassed, made calls, spoke with our friends and encouraged everyone we knew, met or just saw to vote. Recognizing voting to be the most sacred act in a democracy, we came together and did our part in promoting and protecting it, as volunteers, precinct officials, and poll workers. And, we were ecstatic when you both were sworn in as President and Vice President beginning of this year under very challenging circumstances. We were part of the “Kolam” display as well, celebrating your/our victory. We intend to continue mobilizing Indian American women from all over the United States and to have an impact by supporting qualified candidates in future local, state, and national elections. Unfortunately, we have seen the Freedom to Vote Act repeatedly blocked by Republicans in the senate. This hurts the very core of why we all stood together and worked together during the 2020 election. We request that your administration remove filibuster at least to pass the Freedom to Vote Act. President Biden, you have (with your recent speeches in public appearances) recognized the recent voter suppression measures in many states as an existential threat to our democracy. The fact that the Freedom to Vote Act could not even be allowed to be debated by the world’s most deliberative body is shameful. This is so important to us that we believe that Congress should not take any recesses until this is done. We want the filibuster reformed so that Congress can pass this bill to uphold people’s sacrosanct right to vote, to have their voices heard. We do not ever want a repeat of the aftermath of the 2020 elections where Big Lies were entertained. We are on the titanic, headed for an iceberg if this law is not passed. The filibuster is an antiquated rule, where the will of a majority of voters is being held hostage by a minority. You can keep the filibuster or we can have democracy. That is the choice before us today. Please “Stop the Recess”, reform the filibuster, and pass the “Freedom to Vote Act” as soon as possible. We chitthis from all across the United States have signed this request petition, and then reached out for petition signatories who feel just as strongly as we do.