VIDEO: We need to save our democracy

Dear Friend,

There’s no question that we are facing the most dangerous and overt threats to our democracy in generations. This week, I joined Tiffany Muller, the President and Executive Director of End Citizens United for a live discussion on how we can rid our politics of dark money, protect the right to vote, and save our democracy.

I hope you can take a moment to watch and share the video of our discussion.

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich discusses voting rights reform legislation with Tiffany Muller of End Citizens United, July 21, 2021.

Ever since the Supreme Court wrongly equated money with speech, unaccountable dark money has flooded into our political system and allowed billionaires to drown out the voices of ordinary Americans with no accountability. We’re also seeing a widespread campaign in state capitols all across the country to make it harder for certain people to vote. In Texas, Democratic state lawmakers are staging heroic resistance to these types of voting restrictions.

It’s imperative that Congress find a way forward on legislation to restore voting rights and restore our democracy. I’m a proud co-sponsor of the For The People Act, comprehensive legislation that addresses the critical challenges facing our political systems and our democratic institutions. Unfortunately, last month, we saw every single Senate Republican use the filibuster to block us from even beginning debate on this critical legislation.

We cannot give up this fight. We need to follow the example of John Lewis and so many others who fought to pass the Voting Rights Act in the 1960s and find a way forward for voting rights legislation that protects the right of all Americans to participate in our elections.

Our democracy depends on it.

Sincerely,

MARTIN HEINRICH
United States Senator