Fred’s Weekly Note Archive

A Major Breakthrough On Voting Rights & Democracy Reform

There was a major breakthrough Wednesday on voting rights and other democracy reforms when Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), previously an opponent of S. 1, the For the People Act, said he and other Senate Democrats were drafting a revised bill. According to The Washington Post, Senator Manchin said a new bill could be released in […]

We Need Action, Not Just Words, From President Biden On Voting Rights

President Biden in his passionate voting rights speech on July 13, said, “Perhaps the most important of those things — the most fundamental of those things — is the right to vote.” The President also said in the speech, “It’s up to all of us to protect that right [to vote]. This is a test of our time.” So […]

It’s Time to Act on Voting Rights

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | July 15, 2021 “It is time for the Senate to pass legislation to ensure that every eligible American in this country has the right and ability to vote in federal elections.” President Joe Biden said this week about the attacks on voting rights in the states: “[We] are facing the […]

Failure is Not an Option

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | July 8, 2021 “The moment of truth is here for our democracy and for the fundamental right of every eligible citizen to vote.” The Constitution makes clear that Congress has the power to establish voting rules for federal elections and that the rules supersede state laws. Thus, Congress can provide […]

SCOTUS Decisions Highlight Need for Democracy Reforms

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | July 1, 2021 “The bottom line from today’s Supreme Court decisions: Congressional inaction is not an option. A Senate rule to allow a filibuster is not more important than protecting our democracy against voter discrimination, voter suppression and the corruption of our government and officeholders.” Today’s two Supreme Court decisions […]

The Fight Goes On

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | June 24, 2021 “The legislative process is complex and unwinds slowly. It requires patience, not prognostications, to determine whether legislation ultimately will pass.” To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of the For the People Act’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Following Senator Joe Manchin’s June 6 op-ed stating he would […]

The Senate Takes Up the For the People Act Next Week

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | June 17, 2021 “Senators Schumer and Manchin must be persuaded to keep the small donor financing system in the For the People Act, the most important anti-corruption legislation since the 1970s.” Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) provided a list of items yesterday that he could support regarding the voting rights, money […]

A Pivotal Moment for Voting Rights

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | June 10, 2021 “Only S. 1 will supersede the voter suppression laws being enacted by numerous Republican-controlled state legislatures all over the country. Legislation to override these laws must be enacted by this summer in order to be implemented by the states in time for the 2022 congressional elections.” Senate Majority […]

A Summer Showdown on Voting Rights

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | June 3, 2021 “Texas legislators made very clear that Democrats in Congress must act to override the voter suppression and discrimination laws being enacted around the country. “ Texas Democratic legislators sent a powerful message to Democrats in Washington last week. When the Democrats walked out of the Texas Legislature […]

Choosing Between the Sacred Right to Vote and the Filibuster Rules

FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | May 27, 2021 “It is clear that to pass the Senate, S. 1 will need the vote of Senator Manchin both for S. 1 and for an exception to the filibuster rules.” If, as expected, Republicans successfully filibuster the legislation to create a commission to investigate the January 6 insurrectionist mob […]