Senate Republicans deal latest blow to voting rights

This piece was originally published in the June 23, 2021 edition of CAP Action’s newsletter, the Progress Report. Subscribe to the Progress Report here.

‘‘This vote, I’m ashamed to say, is further evidence that voter suppression has become part of the official platform of the Republican Party.’’

— Sen. Chuck Schumer

Senate Republicans said the quiet part out loud last night when they voted against even entertaining debate on the For the People Act, a sweeping piece of voting rights legislation that would safeguard our democracy. Meanwhile, across the country, Republican state legislators have filed over 400 voter suppression bills.

This is a coordinated effort to disenfranchise American voters, and we won’t let it stand.

Share this graphic on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the facts out:

IN THE NEWS

• Last night, every single Republican senator voted against protecting your right to vote — meaning the For the People Act won’t even get a debate on the senate floor. Democrats in Congress have promised they won’t give up on the voting rights legislation, but with Senate Republicans so determined to avoid even debating the issue, we have to ask ourselves — why are they so scared to let Americans exercise their right to vote?
• Also yesterday, a Senate committee held a ‘historic’ hearing on DC Statehood, with DC Mayor Bowser reminding senators that there’s no legal or constitutional barrier stopping them from making DC the 51st state — an important point, considering DC has more residents than both Vermont and Wyoming, yet no representation in Congress. What’s the old saying, again? “No taxation without representation.”
• The countdown is on: The Child Tax Credit will start hitting bank accounts as soon as July 15. Not sure what it all means or if you qualify? Head to ChildTaxCredit.Gov for more info — because investing in our kids is how we grow an economy that works for everyone.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• What’s Next Now that GOP has Blocked Voting Bill by Christina A. Cassidy (AP)
• The Plan Moms Have Been Waiting For by Cecile Richards (Ms. Magazine)
• The Week Inflation Panic Died by Paul Krugman (New York Times)
• Everything You Need to Know to Get the Child Tax Credit by Chabeli Carrazana (The 19th)
• Climate Change Initiatives Push Journalists to Go Beyond Weather Coverage by Sara Fischer and Andrew Freedman (Axios)
• Lowest Rates, Highest Hurdles: Southern States Tackle Vaccine Gap by Aallyah Wright (Daily Yonder)
• Congress Can’t Miss This Chance to Close the Biggest Tax Loophole for the Ultrawealthy by Seth Hanlon and Galen Hendricks (CAP)

This piece was originally published in the June 23, 2021 edition of CAP Action’s newsletter, the Progress Report. Subscribe to the Progress Report here.