Important Momentum for the For the People Act
Manager’s Amendment to the For the People Act Shows that the Senate Rules Committee Chair Is Listening, While Remaining Committed to All the Principles of S. 1
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate Rules Committee began to markup The For the People Act (S.1). Chairperson Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced a Manager’s Amendment to strengthen the bill—which is a sweeping package that would make it easier to vote, dramatically reduce the role of Big Money in elections, and establish strong ethical standards for government service.
“Today marks the next step in this historic process to unrig our system. The need for comprehensive reforms to our democracy is obvious, and the fulsome ongoing markup of the legislation shows the commitment to getting this bill over the finish line. Chair Klobuchar, Senator Merkley, Majority Leader Schumer, and others have indicated that failure is not an option when it comes to moving the For the People Act. Public Citizen wholeheartedly agrees and applauds the momentum in the Senate,” said Lisa Gilbert, Executive Vice President of Public Citizen.
“The Manager’s Amendment shows that Sen. Klobuchar is listening, while remaining fully committed to passing the comprehensive package of reforms so desperately needed to strengthen our democracy. The Manager’s Amendment to the For the People Act is heartily endorsed by Public Citizen and deserves the support of every senator who believes in a strong and flourishing American democracy,” said Craig Holman, Government Affairs Lobbyist at Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division.
The Manager’s Amendment keeps all the pillars of this critical legislation intact, while making appropriate adjustments, some of which are in part to accommodate the technical resources available in rural jurisdictions.