Earlier this year, the Senate failed to pass legislation that would form a commission to look into the January 6th attacks on the capitol. Despite a 54-35 vote, the legislation was blocked due to Senate Republicans withholding the six extra votes needed to pass it. The bill had majority support, and had 19 more senators who voted yes on it than no. The idea that this bill still didn’t pass is ridiculous. The fact that 35 people out of 100 can block legislation from passing is undemocratic. The filibuster itself is archaic and is now being used to suppress minority political participation. Republicans are redistricting right now, and will attempt to reduce the power of Democratic voters. It’s urgent that our government act now and abolish the filibuster, so that we can retain our voting rights and protect our democracy. 

The filibuster was originally a way for the minority party to protect their rights and get their voices heard. However, it’s instead been used to suppress groups of people and maintain inequitable status quos. Created in the Jim Crow era, the filibuster has had a significant racial history. And while it wasn’t created to block civil rights bills, that is a big part of how it has been used. Kevin Kruse, a professor at Princeton University, said, “It's not that the filibuster itself is inherently racist, but it has been the favorite tool of racists. It certainly has a deep racial history.” He also mentioned that both parties have used it to block bills that protect the rights of Black Americans. We can see this even now, with the Republicans' use of the filibuster to block voting rights legislation, including the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. These bills would allow millions of people, most of whom are people of color, to have their democratic right to vote. Clearly, the Republicans want to suppress the voting rights of minorities, which in turn boosts their party’s voting power. According to Jim Clyburn, the House Majority Whip, “Today, Republicans are using the big lie about the 2020 elections as a pretext to advance a litany of minority voting suppression laws.” Because of the “controversial” results of the 2020 presidential election, Republicans are trying to pass bills that would make it harder for minorities to vote, essentially weakening the Democratic vote across many states. Especially considering the significance of the moment we’re in, Democrats need to unite and fight against these Republican efforts.

Fighting against injustice and oppression is incredibly important, and Democrats need to set a precedent by refusing to be pushed around. With the reality of the Republican party attacking people’s rights, it is more essential than ever that Democrats stand up to them. The redistricting of many states is coming up soon, and Republicans will use that as an opportunity to redraw districts in their favor. Many people believe that they will target communities of color, who historically have voted for Democrats. Additionally, Republicans are attempting to pass a variety of voter suppression bills, including ones that would require additional identification to vote, and restrict mail-in ballots. It’s essential that our government fights back and stops Republicans from pushing their agenda. As citizens, it’s incredibly disheartening to see all the Republican efforts to make it harder to vote without any pushback from the Democrats. Some people have tried to push the government into action. William Barber, a social activist and co-chair of the Poor People’s campaign, said, “The power is with the Democrats. And that’s why we’re marching today and will continue. And what we’re saying is we need street moral heat, nonviolent. We don’t need an insurrection, violent insurrection; we need direct action, nonviolently.” And while I agree with his message and admire his perseverance, I’m not sure how much will actually change. Historically, Democrats have repeatedly either compromised or just rolled over when Republicans have pushed. Hopefully, that changes soon, as with millions of people’s voting rights on the line, the stakes are higher than ever.

Despite the insurrection on January 6th, despite the Republican members of Congress showing the rioters where specific Democrats’ offices were, and despite their repeated claims of a rigged election in 2020, Democratic leaders have done next to nothing in fighting back. If our leaders won’t fight for our rights, if they don’t push to end the filibuster and pass civil rights bills, then they shouldn’t be representing us. The filibuster is out-dated and is being used to block the voting rights of minority groups. The Republicans are planning to redistrict and weaken the power of Democratic voters throughout the country, and are also attempting to pass voter suppression laws. It’s now or never, and we need to fight to save our Democracy. We all need to do our part, whether that be marching, making phone calls, or writing letters. And while it may not work, it’s better that we try and fail rather than not try at all.