Statement from Jana Morgan, Director of the Declaration for American Democracy—a coalition of more than 220 organizations from the labor, racial justice, voting rights, faith, environmental, women’s rights, good government, business and many other important communities—in response to Sen. Manchin confirming that he will vote “yes” today on the Senate’s procedural vote to begin debate on the For the People Act:
“Senator Manchin’s decision to vote “yes” on today’s procedural vote demonstrates that Senate Democrats are united in their commitment to pass legislation to protect the freedom to vote and crack down on corruption. As negotiations on what a final bill looks like continue, it’s clear momentum is on our side. Inaction is not an option.
“A fully functioning democracy is one where all voices are heard equally and where the public interest, not special interests, guide decision-making. A staggering 8 in 10 Americans across political parties support the For the People Act—Senate Republicans must listen to the will of the people.
“Whatever our color, background or ZIP code, in America, we deserve to have the true promise of democracy made real for us all. Not only will this bill ensure everyone’s voice is heard and everyone’s vote is counted by creating national standards for voter accessibility, it will build a campaign finance system that increases accountability in our politics, end the use of dark money so billionaires can’t keep buying elections, and guarantee that congressional districts are drawn to give fair representation for all.
“What’s more, the For the People Act is essential to overriding much of the harm from the anti-voter bills that have already passed in the states to erect blatant barriers to block the votes of Black and Brown Americans.
“Every single moment of progress in our country’s civil rights movement has been met with resistance and required Americans to rise up to demand change. This moment is no different.
“The future of our democracy is on the line and we will not stay silent. We call on the Senate to move our country forward and realize the true promise of democracy. Passing the For the People Act is critical to getting us there, and we can’t allow the filibuster to block our way.”
Building a Government For and By the People
America is at a crossroads. For the past decade, we’ve seen a shift away from government representation for the people to representation for the billionaires and corporate interests.
Voter suppression laws have silenced the voices of voters and entire communities, while billionaires and corporate interests continue to spend big to influence our elections and advance their agenda. This administration is pushing the limits of executive power to the brink, normalizing rampant corruption, disregarding the rule of law, while attacking the pillars of civil society itself.
From this broken political system, we have the opportunity to build something new, where everyone has a meaningful say in decisions that impact their jobs, housing, health, and safety.
This is our Declaration for American Democracy:
A government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
A true democracy is one in which the people choose the representatives who make the critical policy decisions that guide the direction of our country and communities. A democracy requires that its cornerstones, from a free press to our right to protest to access to justice, to our right to free speech, remain intact. It requires that our basic human and civil rights be protected under the law, where no concentration of power is allowed to threaten the people’s rights.
Ensure our freedom to vote.
A Democracy for the People must ensure every eligible voter can participate in our elections without barriers, confusion, or intimidation. Our electoral system must be designed to ensure all voices are heard. We must eliminate discriminatory voter suppression policies, realize fair representation through enfranchisement and fair districting, and enact national standards for our elections to ensure every eligible voter can easily cast their ballot and trust that their vote will be accurately counted.
Protect against government corruption.
A Democracy for the People serves all of us, rather than the self-interests of those who govern. This requires government transparency and binding rules for Congress, the President, and the courts to root out conflicts of interest. In addition to oversight, we must have enforcement mechanisms to hold individuals accountable – regardless of who they are or what position they hold. Our democracy requires comprehensive safeguards that prevent self-dealing and ensure no one in power, whether a President, judge, or Member of Congress, can use public office to advance their own personal or financial interests.
Empower the voice of the people.
A Democracy for the People responds to the needs of people and their communities. The voices of the people should not be drowned out by billionaires or corporate interests who use their wealth to buy access, curry favor, and shape policy and elections. We must root out the corrosive influence of big money in politics and address the various ways special interests work to influence Members of Congress and government officials – whether through campaign cash or funding pet projects. A true democracy amplifies community voices and makes it possible for everyday people to run for office.
Maintain checks, balances, and the rule of law.
A Democracy For the People depends on a system of checks and balances. We must add safeguards and accountability mechanisms to prevent government overreach and to reinforce the powers allocated to each branch of government by our Constitution. We must stop abuse of power from the executive branch and ensure other branches have sufficient means to hold an administration accountable. This includes putting protections in place to ensure nonpartisan civil servants can do their jobs as mandated by Congress without purges or politicization, and preventing the weaponization of independent government agencies. The courts must pursue equal justice under the law, not partisan political agendas. Whether a president, a judge, a member of Congress, a CEO, or anyone else, no one is above the law.
What is the Declaration for American Democracy?
A Coalition of 260+ Member Organizations
The Declaration for American Democracy is an anti-oppression coalition working together to make the promise of democracy real for all of us.
We believe our democratic systems, institutions, and leaders must reflect, represent, and respect the diverse, multicultural nation that we are and have always been. For democracy to work for all of us, it must include all of us and address the deep systemic, institutional challenges that continue to block meaningful progress to this day. As America’s diversity continues to grow, so must our democracy.
Our Mission
Today our democracy faces crises on multiple fronts -- compounded by a deeply problematic history that has held us back from achieving an inclusive and equitable multiracial nation since our founding. Powerful corporations and wealthy special interests use their money and influence to shape public policy priorities. Extremist politicians are putting up deliberate barriers to block access to the ballot box and silence the voices of Black, Brown, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, low-income, LGBTQIA, disability, and other marginalized communities. State legislatures are manipulating Congressional maps to allow politicians to pick their voters and hoard power for their political parties. And our government has failed to respond after four years of a corrupt administration and Supreme Court decisions gutting voting rights protections and anti-corruption laws.
Working together, we are committed to passing national standards, including the Freedom to Vote Act, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and DC Statehood, to transform our political system and move our country closer to realizing the true promise of democracy. However, we will not be satisfied with any single reform and will continue to press for the structural changes necessary to rebalance power for the people and undo the historic harms that have barred communities that have been marginalized and denied political power since the founding of the United States.
We believe people of color, young people, people with disabilities, language minorities, and other historically disenfranchised communities should have equal access to the ballot and be equitably represented in government. We believe everyday people should have a stronger voice in elections than wealthy donors and special interests. And we believe our government should be transparent and accountable to the people.
Together we must ensure the freedom to vote is a fundamental American right and that the people -- regardless of our color, our background, or our zip code - hold the power, not the wealthy and corporations.
Our Vision
Therefore, we, the Declaration for American Democracy, are committed to working together to achieve this vision and model our values in how we work together. As a coalition, we will invest in each other and treat each other with respect. We will acknowledge and learn from our past, including the legacy of racism and white supremacy in our movement and democratic institutions. In decision making we will center Black, Brown, Indigenous, Latinx, AAPI, LGBTQIA, people with disabilities, language minorities, as well as other impacted communities. And we will invest in each other through professional development, collaborative grantmaking, and shared projects.
Our 260+ Member Organizations
To make progress on the issues that we care most about, such as health care, racial justice, reproductive rights, and the environment, we must build a system that serves the people rather than wealthy donors. Congress must pass the #FreedomToVoteAct. pic.twitter.com/lg3kmym7b1— Declaration for American Democracy - (@DFADCoalition) July 27, 2023
