Good morning! Have you been paralyzed by the distressing news regarding the voting legislation in Washington? I certainly have. It’s hard to act when we feel that action is futile. Throughout history, however, surprises have popped up. Remember John McCain voting “no” on the attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act?

No one expects any positive surprises right now, but I’ve decided I don’t want to look back and say I was paralyzed with dread and did nothing to save the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. If you feel the same way, here’s what you can do.

Action No. 1
Emily’s List, one of the largest contributors to Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s political rise announced that it would cut off its financial support if the senator continues to refuse to change the Senate’s filibuster rules to allow for passage of far-reaching voting rights legislation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/17/us/politics/senate-voting-rights-bill.html

If you have donated to Emily’s List, call them saying you will no longer donate if they support Sinema’s election in 2024, if she doesn’t support the filibuster change now.
(202) 326-1400

If you have not donated to Emily’s List, call them saying you will donate if they vow not to support Sinema’s election in 2024, if she doesn’t support the filibuster change now.
(202) 326-1400

Action No. 2
Now is not the time to take an individual stand. Now is the time to stand with the Democratic party. If these voting acts don’t pass, it is quite possible that Krysten Sinema will lose her majority position in the Senate, and quite possible that her colleagues in the House of Representatives will, too. Is that what she wants? Call Senator Krysten Sinema and urge her to support changes to the filibuster so that the Freedom To Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which she supports will pass.
Senator Krysten Sinema
(202) 224-4521

Action No. 3
Now is not the time to take an individual stand. Now is the time to stand with the Democrat party. Senator Joe Manchin has said that “protecting that right [to vote] should not be about party or politics.” He can enact his philosophy by assuring we have uniform election laws in every state, not a patchwork the way it is now. Call Senator Joe Manchin and urge him to support changes to the filibuster, and to support the Freedom To Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Senator Joe Manchin
(202) 224-3954

Have a good night knowing you did something for democracy today! Betty