Sister Quincy Howard, OP responded to Senator Manchin’s (D-WV) recent op-ed opposing the For The People Act saying:
Q1 2021 hedge fund letters, conferences and more
Manchin’s Opposition To S.1
"Senator Manchin’s opposition to S.1 is based on political considerations alone — that no Republican currently supports the bill. In 2019, Senator Manchin cosponsored S.1 and he remains in agreement with the vast majority of the substance of the bill. Passing S.1 is the only right option given the choices at hand. Too much is at stake for this bill not to pass—we are at a tipping point and S.1 will push the scales toward democracy while it is still possible.
“Senator Manchin claims that a comprehensive, bold bill like For the People Act passing along partisan lines in the current political context would risk further harming our country, but our current democratic crisis is much deeper and more serious than partisan differences. The GOP in the Senate just filibustered the creation of a bipartisan January 6 commission, demonstrating without a doubt that protecting our country and our democracy is far from their priorities.
“Senator Manchin’s calculation assumes the GOP are operating in good faith to help heal the nation. Unfortunately, there is no indication of this from Republican Party leaders and in the meantime, the anti-democratic downward spiral in states across our nation moves ahead full-speed. Without S.1, we will see growing suppressive tactics to maintain control over our diversifying civic body. The Republican Party must be saved from the immoral, unjust, and untenable path it is following.
“A handful of Republican Senators have shown minimal interest in working with Democrats to protect our democracy, but with the filibuster rule in place that is not enough. Senate Democrats must demonstrate the leadership to do what is needed to pass the For the People Act — there is no other option. The public wants these reforms and the nation needs them. I urge Senator Manchin to show true leadership and commitment to democracy if he hopes to have a legacy that aligns with the arc of history bending towards justice."
Sister Quincy will also be calling for the passage of S.1 outside the United Methodist Church Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. ET alongside other faith leaders like Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Reverend Jimmie Hawkins, and others. The faith leaders will then be marching to the Supreme Court building to join a rally organized by Declaration for American Democracy. You can live stream the events on Faithful Democracy's Facebook page.
National Faith Leaders Call on Congress to Pass For The People Act Without Allowing Filibuster To Block Progress
Washington, D.C.-- On Wednesday, June 9th at 9:00 a.m. ET., national faith leaders will come together on the outside steps of the United Methodist Church by the U.S. Supreme Court to call on United States Senators to pass the For the People Act and not allow the filibuster to interfere with legislation that protects democracy and voting rights. Following the press conference, faith leaders will march to the Supreme Court building and join the Declaration for American Democracy rally.
WHAT:
Press Conference to Demand Senators Pass the For the People Act
WHO:
Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune, National Council of Churches
Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Rev. Jennifer Butler, Faith in Public Life Action
Sister Quincy Howard, OP, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
WHEN:
Wednesday, June 9th, 9:00 a.m. ET
WHERE:
United Methodist Church, 100 Maryland Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
Faith in Public Life Action is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirms our values and the human dignity of all.
