Democracy Diary

Share this post

Democracy Diary: It's too late: no legislative paths forward

jonnahigginsfreese.substack.com

Democracy Diary: It's too late: no legislative paths forward

Probably hunger strikes and sit-ins are the best hope - so let's say that

Jonna Higgins-Freese
Jan 8, 2022
1
2
Share
Share this post

Democracy Diary: It's too late: no legislative paths forward

jonnahigginsfreese.substack.com

Voting rights groups in Georgia have told President Biden not to come to the state to speak on the topic unless he has a plan to pass federal voting rights legislation.

According to articles in the Atlanta Journal Constitution and the Independent (again, thank God for these British papers) “The groups – which include Black Voters Matter Fund, the Asian American Advocacy Fund, the New Georgia Project Action Fund and the GALEO Impact Action Fund – ‘reject any visit by President Biden that does not include an announcement of a finalized voting rights plan that will pass both chambers, not be stopped by the filibuster, and be signed into law.’”

The articles continues, “On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged to change the Senate’s filibuster rules on or before 17 January.”

But, as we all know, they don’t have the votes, because Krysten Sinema opposes reform.

There are no remaining legislative paths forward. I suppose it’s possible Sinema will change her mind — but we saw how that worked out with Manchin’s treachery on Build Back Better. So why aren’t Democrats saying loudly and clearly that we have no remaining legislative options to prevent the entrenchment of authoritarian rule in the US? That it’s already too late?

It’s one more thing that’s totally baffling to me about the way Dems are approaching this and the media is covering it.

Wiser and more knowledgeable friends, tell me what I’m missing.

And if not — probably time to resurrect and join with the Arizona student hunger strikers. Maybe the plan is to go that route when the attempt to end the filibuster fails on 1/17.

1
2
Share
Share this post

Democracy Diary: It's too late: no legislative paths forward

jonnahigginsfreese.substack.com
2 Comments
Marian
Jan 11, 2022

Disagree. Why would hunger strikes do any good? The right-leaning people with the most power in this country have demonstrated that they don't care if individuals die from COVID-19, or gun violence, or any number of other causes. Why would they care if people started keeling over from hunger? If you really want to know What to Do, I recommend Teri Kanefiled's list of Things To Do at https://terikanefield.com/things-to-do/ Pick one or more of those things, and get crackin'. Kanefield is an author & attorney with a very clear-eyed perspective on the events of the day.

Expand full comment
Reply
1 reply by Jonna Higgins-Freese
1 more comment…
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Jonna Higgins-Freese
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing