WASHINGTON, DC — Following the introduction of S.1, the For the People Act, by the U.S. Senate, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:
“We applaud Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Rules Committee Chairwoman Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), for their leadership on the introduction of S.1, the For the People Act to strengthen our democracy. The For the People Act takes direct aim at corruption and big-money influence in our elections, and at efforts to suppress the vote, which are the forces trying to shut down the voices and votes of working people and Black and brown Americans who do not support the anti-worker, anti-consumer, anti-environment agendas that disproportionately hurt these communities. Passing the For the People Act means the people who are elected will be more representative of their communities and more responsive to their constituents’ needs, not to the agendas of big business, the powerful and the wealthy. It’s critically important to pass S1 and if that means eliminating the legislative filibuster then we must do that – for the people.”
About People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.
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