FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 20, 2022 Contact: Pablo DeJesus | info@uusj.org Senators Fail Democracy, They Came Down On the Wrong Side Of History Washington, D.C. — In the shadow of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, with lingering memories of vigils marking the one-year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, the Senate failed to protect our democracy. Last night, the Senate considered a change to filibuster rules. In a 48-52 vote, the Senate failed to approve Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s proposal to reform Senate rules to pass H.R.5746 the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, by a simple majority vote. Supporters suffered a setback, opponents took a victory. Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice is deeply, and profoundly disappointed in the outcome. The freedom to vote and fair elections are foundational to our democracy. In our nation voting is sacred. We cherish voting rights. The liberties we value flow from this basic dignity and compact. An agreement that helps our body politic eschew the type of violence seen a year ago. It seems 52 senators have forgotten these tenets of our democracy. UUs across the country will continue supporting legislation that protects the right to vote for all voters, especially Black, Brown, and Native voters. And we won't forget poor and low-income voters or LGBTQ voters. Pablo DeJesus, Exective Director, UUSJ: "Tonight 52 senators failed to side with we the people and protect us from the anti-democratic bills passed or proposed by state legislatures across the nation. They failed to uphold the inherent worth and dignity of every person, the right of conscience, and the use of the democratic process within our society at large. They failed their duty as duly elected public officials. 52 senators came down on the wrong side of history in blocking a simple vote on our right to cast ballots in free and fair elections. Too many senators chose to defer to procedural rules instead of joining the majority of Americans who want the transformative and urgent needed Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. For many communities in the United States, it is yet another failure to defend their communities and their ability to partake in our democracy. For others, this is a new phenomenon of marginalization borne through willful ignorance by too many senators. For all Americans, the Senate's inability to side with love marks a potential change in the very definition of American democracy. But we shall not be deterred — our voices, calls, and advocacy will not be silenced. We will use every ounce of our power to move beyond this setback. We will continue towards a beloved community, a healthy inclusive democracy, shaped by the freedom to vote, and fair elections." ### | 
