ATLANTA — Today, as Republican-controlled state legislatures across the country continue their efforts to roll back the clock on voting rights, Fair Fight founder Stacey Abrams authored a CNN op-ed advocating for the U.S. Senate to make an exception to the racist and undemocratic filibuster rule in order to pass overdue federal legislation to protect and strengthen our democracy.
From the op-ed:
“…Eliminating voter access under the guise of race-neutral actions that clearly target communities of color is nothing short of Jim Crow 2.0. And, then as now, only the federal government has the power to stop race-based voter suppression and make sure that Americans’ access to democracy does not depend on the state where they live…
“…The elections clause of the US Constitution grants Congress the right to “make or alter” state regulations regarding elections — ensuring that democracy is not diminished by geography…
“…if Republican senators, representing a minority of Americans, attempt to thwart much-needed legislation to protect voting rights for all, Democrats should take bold action to protect our democracy…
“Republicans used a carve-out of the filibuster rule to pass a $1.5 trillion tax cut that benefited many wealthy and ultrawealthy Americans. They also were exempted from the filibuster rule to try and take health care away from 16 million Americans, failing by one vote…
“…a filibuster carve-out allowed the Senate to provide real Covid-19 relief to the American people. The same exception, if necessary, should be made to protect our democracy.”
Read the full piece here.