Americans expect and deserve a strong inclusive democracy. We commend Leader Schumer, Senator Merkley and Senator Klobuchar for pledging to introduce the For the People Act as the first bill of the new Congress – S.1.

The Senate now joins the House in making this bill the top legislative priority.

By contrast, many Republican-controlled state legislatures across the country are now trying to harness the lies outgoing-President Trump spread about the election to make it more difficult to vote in future elections – changing election laws to drive down turnout, particularly in Black and Brown communities.

Our democracy is stronger when every American has a voice in our government. The “For the People Act” is a transformative package of reforms that will expand the right to vote, protect the right of every American to cast a ballot, reduce the role of big money in politics, shine a light on secret money, end racial and partisan gerrymandering, and curb the influence economy and conflicts of interest that have thrived in Washington for far too long.

Americans across the country are ready for these reforms and we showed it by passing many similar democracy reforms at the state and local level. Now, our representatives in Congress need to follow suit. Common Cause strongly supports the For the People Act and the reforms and democratic safeguards it will provide.

In 2019, the For the People Act (HR 1) passed the House and was supported by all members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, but then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to allow a hearing or a vote on the bill.

With a more reform-minded Senate and White House this year, we will continue to mobilize our 1.5 million supporters to contact their Members of Congress to make the “For the People Act” the law of the land.