The For the People Act Is Poised To Become Law in 2021
The United States is the world’s oldest democracy. However, as President Joe Biden noted in his inaugural address, democracy itself is precious and fragile.1 The nation recently witnessed a deadly insurrection designed to stop the peaceful transition of presidential power, built on months of rampant disinformation about the election results. These challenges were compounded by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustices aimed at Black Americans, rampant voter suppression, and a second impeachment of former President Donald Trump. In order to avoid a downward spiral into a political system unable to fairly represent the views of its citizens, far-reaching structural reforms are immediately needed to protect our democracy.
Recognizing that democracy reform is a foundational issue, the Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are prioritizing passage of the For the People Act of 2021 (H.R. 1/S. 1), arguably the most consequential people-empowering legislation since the Civil Rights Act of 1965.2 Not only would this sweeping set of structural solutions help Americans build trust in government, it would produce long-lasting change so that everyone, including Black and brown communities, has a meaningful shot at achieving the American dream.
Background on the For the People Act
In March 2019, the House passed the For the People Act before then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocked the legislation in the Senate.3 In the following two years, the imperative for democracy reform has only grown. Continue reading.