We Must Act, To Defend Our Democracy

You’ve probably heard along multiple channels, from multiple democracy actors that this is a big week for democracy in the United States. In a letter to colleagues last Monday morning, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the Senate will debate and vote on changing Senate rules if Republicans block a vote on the Freedom to Vote Act. Leader Schumer promised a vote on Senate reforms by Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 17, within days.

Those Senate rule reforms would allow passage of critically important voting rights legislation with a simple majority: the Freedom to Vote Act (S. 2747) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S. 4), and our Senators need to hear support from you today, this week.

Urge your Senator to do all in their power, including changing Senate filibuster rules, in order to protect our sacred right to vote. It’s what you want! It’s what we need! The filibuster is standing in the way of so many justice issues, but if the Senate can’t act, this Congress, the 117th, may well mark the beginning of the demise of our democracy.

A: Call: 1-888-885-1748 – Ask your Senators to do whatever it takes to pass the Freedom to Vote Act (S. 2747) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S. 4). You might say:

“Hi, I’m [full name] from [city], [state]. Please know, as a person of faith, a Unitarian Universalist, I am called to respect the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and to act for the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process.

I ask that you use every possible tool, including reform of Senate rules, to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. If the Senate fails to protect democracy, it is a failure to uphold its most basic duty to serve its constituents.

Thank you very much for taking my call. Can I count on Senator [last name] to do all in his/her power to protect every American’s right to vote by ensuring the passage of these two bills?

B: Take steps to learn more on Wednesday, January 12th, with two briefing opportunities:

C: Show your concern, join Daily Vigils with Faith In Action:

  • Faith In Action is holding a prayer vigil each day from 12:00 - 12:15 pm ET, beginning this Thursday, Jan. 13, and ending Tuesday, Jan. 18 when the anticipated vote is expected, the vigil will be live-streamed on Faith in Action’s Facebook Live. You can register here for a daily reminder. They will have an exciting lineup of guest speakers across faith traditions to lead each day’s prayer.