June, 22 2021, 09:47pm EDT
MoveOn Executive Director Rahna Epting Responds to S. 1 Vote
WASHINGTON
Today, Rahna Epting, the executive director of MoveOn, released the following statement after Republicans filibustered S. 1, the For the People Act:
"Today, the Republican Party doubled down on its continued assault on American democracy and the Senate reverted back to some of its darkest days. In the 1950s and 1960s, senators used the filibuster to block historic civil rights and voting rights legislation. Today's vote proves that history does in fact repeat itself."
"Here is the plain truth: our democracy is under daily attack from Republican forces seeking to destroy it for their own political gain. It started long before January 6th and it has continued more than six months after the attack on the U.S. Capitol."
"Let's be clear, this is a five-alarm fire. From attacking the right to vote, to lying daily about the last election, to fake audits in states, to refusing to allow a bipartisan investigation into the greatest attack on our homeland since 9/11, today's Republican Party has been hijacked by MAGA enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists who have opened a multi-front war on our democracy. Today was another front in that battle."
"The Democratic senators who voted to advance this bill today represent 41 million more Americans than the Senators who voted against it. While it was clear long before today, it is now laid bare for the entire world to see, the Senate is broken. Mitch McConnell and Republicans, through years of abuse and raw power grabs, have broken it. And now Democrats must fix it. By returning the power to the voters--and not the minority of Senators who seek to block every single piece of legislation President Biden and Democrats advocate for."
"Our democracy is under attack. We can no longer allow Mitch McConnell to use Jim Crow-era Senate procedures to stop those trying to fix it from doing so. Today's vote proves once and for all: the filibuster must go. And now, before more damage can be done."
MoveOn is where millions mobilize for a better society--one where everyone can thrive. Whether it's supporting a candidate, passing legislation, or changing our culture, MoveOn members are committed to an inclusive and progressive future. We envision a world marked by equality, sustainability, justice, and love. And we mobilize together to achieve it.
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