Thread by @SenatorBaldwin

The U.S. Senate has finally begun debate on the #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct and #FreedomtoVoteAct.

I choose an American democracy that stands up to Trump’s Big Lie.

I choose elections free of voter suppression.

I choose protecting everyone's right to vote.

For months, Senate Democrats have been working to bring voting rights legislation like the #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct and #FreedomToVoteAct to the floor of the Senate for consideration. Each time, Republicans blocked us — they wouldn’t even let us debate the bills.

Today, we are taking action to move past Republican obstruction. The debate has begun on passing legislation to strengthen our Democracy and protect voting rights.

Now, we can finally make it clear that the #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct and #FreedomtoVoteAct will:
• Protect the freedom to vote
• Stop anti-voting bills being passed by state legislatures
• Protect elections from sabotage and subversion
• Make sure every vote is counted

The filibuster has a long history of being used to block the advancement of civil rights. We cannot allow the filibuster to prevent us from taking action on voting rights today.

The #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct and #FreedomtoVoteAct will:
• Ban dark money in elections
• End extreme partisan gerrymandering
• Restore the Voting Rights Act
• Make voting safe, accessible and transparent

While we push forward on the floor of the Senate, we need everyone to make their voices heard on support for protecting and strengthening our Democracy with the the #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct and #FreedomtoVote.

Congress does indeed have a role and responsibility at the federal level to stop voter suppression efforts and remove barriers to the constitutionally protected right to vote, We cannot allow an abuse of the filibuster by Senate Republicans to stop us. #FreedomtoVote.

Our Democracy is at stake and we need every American, from every state, to speak up and make sure they are heard: The future of our Democracy — our nation — is counting on it. Thank you!