For Immediate Release: October 22, 2021
Contact: Audrey Carroll | [email protected] | 202-601-7875
Catholic Lobby Calls for Abolition of the Filibuster, Sends Petition with Over 2,600 Signatures to Senate Leaders
Mary J. Novak: “The filibuster is a racist tool used to stop the progression of civil rights and voting rights legislation.”
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, Senate Republicans once again blocked debate on the Freedom to Vote Act (S.2747), despite strong, bipartisan public support for the bill. Following this disappointing vote, NETWORK delivered a letter signed by 2,635 members across the country to Senators Schumer and McConnell calling for the elimination of the Senate filibuster.
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice recognizes the freedom to make one’s voice heard is intrinsically bound with the human dignity of every individual. NETWORK advocates have spent months rallying public support to protect the sacred right to vote, and continue to call for moral leadership from Congress. NETWORK once again calls on President Biden and Congressional leaders to eliminate the racist filibuster to ensure the freedom to vote for everyone.
Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Mary J. Novak, said,
“Everyone deserves the freedom to vote, especially Black, Latinx, AAPI, and Native American voters who have faced generations of voter suppression. As once again demonstrated by yesterday’s failed cloture vote, the filibuster is a racist tool that has been used to stop the progression of civil rights and voting rights legislation. This must end.”
Grassroots Mobilization Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Meg Olson, said:
“NETWORK members across the country believe in passing legislation that supports and protects everyone’s right to make their voice heard. Despite the actions of Senate Republicans to once again choose obstruction over the freedom to vote, our advocates continue to call for the elimination of the filibuster in order to advance the common good and racial equity.”
NETWORK’s Catholic activists across the country are organizing and taking action to support the end of the racist, Jim Crow-era filibuster to ensure common good legislation like the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act are passed. Earlier this week, 2,635 NETWORK advocates signed a petition sent to Senate leadership calling for the abolition of the filibuster. Additionally, nearly 3,700 Catholic Sisters sent a letter to President Biden and Senator Schumer in July, urging them to support bypassing the filibuster to pass the For the People Act.
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NETWORK – advocates for justice inspired by Catholic sisters – educates, organizes, and lobbies for economic and social transformation. They have a nearly 50-year track record of lobbying for critical federal programs that support those at the margins and prioritize the common good. www.networklobby.org