Donald Trump’s presidency and attempts to steal the 2020 election have put into focus the cracks in our democratic system. That’s why one of Senate Democrats’ first order of business was introducing S. 1, the For the People Act, and S. 51, the D.C. Statehood bill, signaling that structural democracy reform is their number one priority. With our democracy in crisis, we need robust reforms that targets voter suppression, gerrymandering, money in politics, corruption, and more.
Without a functional democracy in which everyone is included and represented, we can’t achieve any of our other progressive goals. All the issues we care about deeply: health care, immigration, ending wars, racial justice, climate change—fixing these things requires a democracy that is responsive to the people, not the powerful and wealthy.
We have the opportunity to fundamentally change our democracy for the better. As my Senators I demand they support S. 1 and S. 51, work swiftly to mark both bills up, and send them to the floor for a vote. Additionally, S. 1 and S. 51 must be passed quickly -- Democratic Senators cannot let the filibuster get in the way.
