Press Releases

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) joined nearly 100 House Democrats in sending a letter to Senate Democrats, urging them to swiftly end the filibuster so that Congress can deliver on the promises made to the voters who elected them to lead in the U.S. House, Senate, and White House.

Members demonstrated the need to put people over procedure in order to move forward with legislation to protect voting rights, establish a $15 minimum wage, prevent gun violence, reform the American immigration system, address climate change, protect workers, and more.

The letter reads: “The filibuster has been a key tool in preventing progress towards racial justice. It is a relic of Jim Crow-era policies that continue to preclude our nation’s efforts to fulfill a foundational promise laid out in the constitution to “establish Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” From voting rights to gun violence prevention, the filibuster continues to deny justice and racial equity to communities of color and blocks meaningful legislation from moving forward.”

“This is an existential moment for our country. We must end the gridlock that has become common practice in Washington and govern boldly and transformatively to improve the lives of millions of people, children, and families all across the country,” the Members continued. “We urge Senate Democrats to do what it takes to pass an agenda that meets the needs of everyday people, including eliminating the filibuster. We understand the balance of power and share a desire to maintain a healthy political environment through bipartisanship. However, what has become patently clear is that we cannot let a procedural tool that can be abolished stand in the way of justice, prosperity, and equity.” 

A PDF of the letter can be found here. Pingree has been calling for filibuster reform for over a decade.

This press release is available online here.  

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