FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2021
Contact: media@poligonnational.org
Poligon Education Fund On the Senate Filibuster of For the People Act (S.1)
Washington, D.C. - Poligon Education Fund released the following statement in response to the Senate blocking of For the People Act (S.1) on Tuesday, June 22nd:
The passage of the For the People Act (H.R.1/S.1) would have reversed the anti-voter laws being upheld across the country, create a national standard of voter accessibility, get big money out of politics, and stop partisan gerrymandering. Despite today’s disappointing development, Poligon Education Fund reaffirms its commitment to democracy reform and support of For the People Act (S.1), to protect access to the ballot box and ensure every American is represented in our government.
An overwhelming 8 in 10 Americans, across all political spectrum, support the For the People Act and its measures to protect our freedom to vote. Many provisions of the For the People Act have nonpartisan origins and were passed by both Republican and Democratic legislatures.The blocking of S.1 in the Senate today is a great disappointment and a testament to how detached some of our elected representatives in Congress have come from the people they represent. At a time when draconian voter suppression laws continue to attack the people’s right to vote and uphold the rule for the wealthiest few, proactive action on For the People Act in the Senate is the ground for safeguarding voting rights, not the ceiling.
It is important to note that some of the opposition to S.1 are on procedural matters, not substance. We call on our Senators to center the needs of their constituents and stand on the right side of history, as the legislation has always been nonpartisan, comprehensive, and people-centered. A stand against For the People Act is a stand for voter suppression and the disenfranchisement of millions of vulnerable communities. We reaffirm our unwavering support for voting rights and democracy reform and clearly state that procedural obstacles, including the Senate filibuster, should not stand in the way of protecting the freedom to vote for all Americans.
We call on our Senators to protect and advance the For the People Act in the Senate in a manner that centers the millions of Americans, particularly Black and brown Americans, who will continue to be disenfranchised and silenced. There is a path to pass this sweeping voting rights legislation. It is a matter of urgency and every Senator’s duty to prioritize the passage of S.1. In the eloquently spoken words of Sen. Warnock, we remind our Congress Members:
“It is a contradiction to say we must protect minority rights in the Senate while refusing to protect minority rights in our society. No Senate rule should overrule the integrity of the democracy itself, and we must find a way to pass voting rights whether we get rid of the filibuster or not.”
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Poligon Education Fund is a non profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening Muslim American engagement with Congress through research, education, and advocacy. Learn more at www.poligonnational.org.
June 22, 2021
Contact: media@poligonnational.org
Poligon Education Fund On the Senate Filibuster of For the People Act (S.1)
Washington, D.C. - Poligon Education Fund released the following statement in response to the Senate blocking of For the People Act (S.1) on Tuesday, June 22nd:
The passage of the For the People Act (H.R.1/S.1) would have reversed the anti-voter laws being upheld across the country, create a national standard of voter accessibility, get big money out of politics, and stop partisan gerrymandering. Despite today’s disappointing development, Poligon Education Fund reaffirms its commitment to democracy reform and support of For the People Act (S.1), to protect access to the ballot box and ensure every American is represented in our government.
An overwhelming 8 in 10 Americans, across all political spectrum, support the For the People Act and its measures to protect our freedom to vote. Many provisions of the For the People Act have nonpartisan origins and were passed by both Republican and Democratic legislatures.The blocking of S.1 in the Senate today is a great disappointment and a testament to how detached some of our elected representatives in Congress have come from the people they represent. At a time when draconian voter suppression laws continue to attack the people’s right to vote and uphold the rule for the wealthiest few, proactive action on For the People Act in the Senate is the ground for safeguarding voting rights, not the ceiling.
It is important to note that some of the opposition to S.1 are on procedural matters, not substance. We call on our Senators to center the needs of their constituents and stand on the right side of history, as the legislation has always been nonpartisan, comprehensive, and people-centered. A stand against For the People Act is a stand for voter suppression and the disenfranchisement of millions of vulnerable communities. We reaffirm our unwavering support for voting rights and democracy reform and clearly state that procedural obstacles, including the Senate filibuster, should not stand in the way of protecting the freedom to vote for all Americans.
We call on our Senators to protect and advance the For the People Act in the Senate in a manner that centers the millions of Americans, particularly Black and brown Americans, who will continue to be disenfranchised and silenced. There is a path to pass this sweeping voting rights legislation. It is a matter of urgency and every Senator’s duty to prioritize the passage of S.1. In the eloquently spoken words of Sen. Warnock, we remind our Congress Members:
“It is a contradiction to say we must protect minority rights in the Senate while refusing to protect minority rights in our society. No Senate rule should overrule the integrity of the democracy itself, and we must find a way to pass voting rights whether we get rid of the filibuster or not.”
###
Poligon Education Fund is a non profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to strengthening Muslim American engagement with Congress through research, education, and advocacy. Learn more at www.poligonnational.org.
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