"Doomsday for Democracy"
Friends,
“Doomsday for democracy.”
“Rubber stamp of dictatorship.”
“Arrogance of power.”
These are how politicians have described ending the Senate’s filibuster in recent years. Another leader said, "If the majority chooses to end the filibuster, if they choose to change the rules and put an end to Democratic debate, then the fighting and the bitterness and the gridlock will only get worse.”
Those quotes came not from Republicans, but from Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, and Barack Obama.
Like a majority of Americans, all three Democratic leaders once supported maintaining the long-standing filibuster as a check and balance that ensures the voices of millions of Americans are represented. In fact, in 2020 alone, Democrats used the filibuster 327 times to block Republicans.
Unfortunately, it appears now-President Joe Biden and Democratic leadership have changed their tune. Last week, President Biden and Senator Schumer pushed to end the filibuster in order to pass more of their radical agenda, beginning with a federal takeover of elections.
Their so-called voting rights bill would scrap any state voter ID laws, give more power to the IRS, and direct billions of your tax dollars to political campaigns. Under the proposal, Chuck Schumer would receive up to $44.1 million for his reelection, while Nancy Pelosi would receive up to $22.7 million.
While President Biden campaigned on being a moderate and unifying the country, in Atlanta last week, the President said anyone who disagrees with the legislation was comparable to segregationists George Wallace and Bull Connor. This rhetoric is divisive and extremely shameful.
I have long supported reforming our voting laws to strengthen the integrity of our elections. However, Washington Democrats have created a false narrative to justify a federal election takeover that strips rights from states and gives politicians more power.
I voted against this bill in the House and will continue to oppose it. Yet instead of changing the rules and pushing their radical agenda, the President, Senator Schumer, and Speaker Pelosi should be focused on the pressing issues mounting in our nation.
COVID cases are at an all-time high. Migrants and deadly fentanyl illegally crossing our southern border are at record levels. December recorded the worst jobs numbers of Biden’s presidency. And just last week, inflation reached its highest rate in 40 years. I am sure you are feeling the effects of this at the gas pump, grocery store, and in your utility bills.
This inflation also means wages are not keeping up with the increased demand. According to the New York Times, just 17% of workers say their pay has kept pace with inflation. There is a crisis in our economy, at our border, and in our communities dealing with increased crime and the pandemic. Washington Democrats ignored these issues and spent December focused on their $4 trillion Build Back Broke agenda which stalled. Now they risk spending January focused on nationalizing elections and once again ignoring our challenges.
This is unacceptable and why I am focused on the issues impacting you and your family every day. We must keep our schools open. We need to slow government spending and get Americans back to work. It’s time to secure our border once and for all. And we need common sense solutions to end the pandemic that respect science and freedom.
Ultimately, we must work toward expanding opportunities and prosperity in our nation. While addressing these issues, this weekend we also commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. His life’s work and guiding principles continue to impact our nation and inspire all those seeking freedom and justice. As we confront the challenges facing our nation, I hope we can all recall his words and strive to create a better nation for every American.
Until Next Week,
Richard Hudson
Member of Congress