The Progressive

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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Ryan Thomas, ryan@standupamerica.com

Progressive Groups Call on Senate to Pass $3.6 Billion for Election Assistance Funding Before Recess

WASHINGTON

Today, Stand Up America issued the following joint statement with Common Cause, Fair Fight Action, Indivisible, Let America Vote / End Citizens United Action Fund, MoveOn, Public Citizen, and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights demanding that the Senate immediately approve additional election assistance funds allocated by the House in the HEROES Act:

"With just four months until the November election, we are calling on the Senate to immediately provide states with an additional $3.6 billion in federal funds to help preserve our democracy during this pandemic.

"For over six weeks, the Senate has failed to take up a bill that would give states the resources to expand in-person and no-excuse absentee voting, extend early voting, keep polling places open, train poll workers, and implement other reforms to keep voters safe.

"No American should have to risk their health to cast their ballot--but Mitch McConnell's continued inaction will ensure that voters across the country are forced to make that choice this November. Democrats and Republican should be outraged by this abdication of responsibility and should force McConnell to take immediate action.

"The cost to help save our democracy is $3.6 billion, and that bill is far past due. Mitch McConnell must stop holding our democracy hostage and bring this funding to a vote before congressional recess begins next week."

Stand Up America is a progressive advocacy organization with over two million community members across the country. Focused on grassroots advocacy to strengthen our democracy and oppose Trump's corrupt agenda, Stand Up America has driven over 600,000 phone calls to Congress and mobilized tens of thousands of protestors across the country.