You, I did uh alright okay alright yourself. You Christmas cake target. We already same as fast as we, where did you go and get started and keeping them walking around with the slips of paper for anyone. For anyone that wants to ask the question. Can is working on some clips of paper and I'm just write it down Um so thank you all for joining us today. Um and you'll turning into facebook live um we're really privileged to have such a great set of speakers here to discuss one of the issues that's really been dominating our conversation around American politics. This season um. We have huge amounts of money honestly pouring into our elections from corporate special interests and it's really drowning out the voices of our constituents about the voters the everyday People who should be represented um and today I'm here right here and six in Texas 32. We have a congressman who has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from corporate pacs from insurance companies from big pharma, not good in fact, less than one percent of August contributions come from individuals, small donors and with us. We have some people here today who recognized the problem, who are committed to fixing it and who already started working on it um so let's get right to it just gonna couple of short interests and then we'll dive into the questions um right here next to me, we have congressman this illini from rhode island um here at prism It's the first district in rhode island and he's serving his fourth term in the House right now in Congress. He is focused on re invigorating the manufacturing sector and creating good paying jobs in his district. Um and he's. One of the strongest advocates for House Democrats make it in America make it in America and agenda he's also worked hard to reduce our federal deficit, while maintaining job creating these he's also working hard to protect rhode island seniors by preserving social security and fighting against efforts to eliminate the guarantee of Medicare Next to him, we have congressman catherine Clark from massachusetts five. She has been a vocal advocate for ending wage discrimination, protecting women's health, access to affordable. High-quality child care paid family leave, savor schools and other rewards to address the challenges facing women and families across America. She believes the congressman's work to end the disconnect between the needs of families at home and priorities in Washington and We have Mr collin, alright. He is zero, seven accredited candidate for Texas. 32 He was born and raised in Dallas by a single mom shop in the Texas public schools for nearly 30 years he went on um to baylor where he played football and then you could see it on nfl after that he went back to law school to pursue his dreams and became a building rights attorney and also served in the Obama administration and the Department of housing and urban development um cleaning up Washington restoring faith in our government and making sure the voices and interests of the constituents are heard in Washington. His top priorities next to We have Ms tiffany Miller from uh lenses United, where she is President and executive director. Um. She has helped to grow and citizens United into a nationwide Organization with three million members. Um and they have raised more than 25 million dollars with the average contribution main just 40 dollars okay two years ago she was involved in helping to elect 15 champions of campaign, finance reform and, in this cycle end to this is United, is tapping into the power of its grassroots. Fundraising. Um and it's energized members to elevate this issue and of money in politics. International conversation and has endorse colin. Thank you for So listen so um we use get started with you know we all know that money in politics is a really big problem, but we're wondering if we can start off with some of you so I'm talking about the things that may not be immediately clear and what it is that voters should be looking for when they're thinking about this issue. If whoever wants to start working for it, sure uh so first thank you so much for having me here call and thank you for your leadership on this issue and uh it was our pleasure to endorse him right, like we're working hard everyday um. It to make sure that we get And over the finish line because we need his voice in Congress this is one of our top 10 races. So yeah Um so click that, like, like we're just talking about uh we're grassroots people powered Organization and we really came out of the citizens United decision by the Supreme court January, 20 10 and for those who don't follow Supreme court decisions that closely which I understand uh this did to took to really terrible ideas and encourage them together. It's a corporations are people and money equals. Speech emerges two ideas together and it basically put up for sale, sign on our democracy and what we've seen since that Time is prior to citizens United. It was about a hundred and 43 million dollars of outside spending in our congressional elections. That's a lot of money. Um no doubt you wanna know how much it was in 20 16 one point four billion dollars 900 percent increase in just a few short years. Let's talk about what that means to me prior to citizens, United in congressional candidate who's in a competitive race, step to control about two thirds of their own messaging to voters who you are, what you believe What you're gonna go to and fight for what you, what you care about. Why you're running for office right and now that's flip and outside interest groups for our running these negative attack. Ads and their enough patrol is about two thirds of what voters here this is no longer an debate between two candidates about who is best to represent uh the district. This is about outside special interests who are unlimited and often undisclosed amount of money to try to buy seats in Congress and why are they trying to buy seats In Congress you don't like them Looking good people profit right, like, for the most part, this is all about what benefits them so you don't have to look any further than the rising prescription drug cost and the fact that pharmacist at 300 million dollars on elections in 20 16 or has 14 hundred lobbyists on Capitol Hill every single day to see that connections or the fact that Congress actually passed a law that strips the of uh being able to prosecute Pill mills, um the tax bill and I think we will talk about that. Alot there's uh the current congressman in this district. Happily voted for that tax bill right, but this is a tax bill were eighty three percent of the benefits go to corporations in the top. One percent at the expense of hardworking families and why was it done well, thankfully they've been pretty brazen about saying why they can't sit. They pass it because their donors told them to and they said pass this bill we're don't come to us for The cook brothers, starting to take away 400 million dollars uh funding for elections, both congressman Clark and congressman have been champions on this issue. Um and they are trying to fight everyday in Congress to make sure that we pass meaningful reforms to start making this issue better. But guess what they need more people like them and Congress and that's why we're so so proud to endorse colin and to make sure that we flip Texas 32 and deliver at blue because there are 25 google's city In Congress right now that if we pass, we can actually start to make real change and to give our democracy back to you back to the people because I know you don't really think it works for you right now, right. I think that there is a level of cynicism and lack of faith in our government that is at an all-time low, that, frankly, its just dangerous to our country, but we have a chance to actually elect uh champions like colin, who will are gonna stand up for you and who you know every spider and they sit down at the table that they're working on your behalf on what's best for this is 32 And that's what we need to do, we need folks who are working for their voters because that's who the boss is in a representative democracy. Um so it is our pleasure to be here with you, uh I can talk all day about the waste of money and what it is are a system. It and happy to as you can tell um but I want to pass this on yeah well, I think everybody here and then, if you're watching at home and over who are in our area, know what money involved it's doing, because if you watch Tv you see all these ridiculous ads they're running here in our district and that's not coming largely from the candidates, is coming from this outside And so we we've seen it and we're dealing with right now. Um to me, you know I've decided to run here in my hometown it's it's a very fundamental thing. It's kinda the basics of American politics and so decided to run to represent the people. That I do best so I thought I'd give me a chance when I grew up around uh and to see this kind of influx of dark outside money trying to convince the people who grew up around that you know, I stand for something that I don't is pretty much perfect. Can capture Solution what's wrong with her faults it's pretty much is the perfect perfect distillation of it. Um and I was really proud to take the North hope. No corporate pac money pledge, because I wanted to be people here in my hometown in my community to know that no one is gonna tell me that I was running for this for them uh that, whatever decision I made will be based on some donor or interest group that was trying to sway. My vote that I'd be happy to work with them and talk to them about what their issues are, that they would get a seat at the table and not every seat at the table um and that's the most important ease of Yours are the people that were supposed to be serving uh that's, a pretty big contrast here between me and pete sessions. I think we understand that uh this is somebody who takes some of the not only just large amounts of money from special interests but from some of special interest that I think are most cynical and the things we're trying to do with that. Some of the interest that I think I'm gonna go hold back from the progress we need to make your life lower in cost of prescription drugs standing North caroline the cost of health care uh just to the other things, like this tax bill which will make it harder for us to invest in our infrastructure, invest in job training, to do all things that we gonna do here and that's It's not right, but the good news is that we are doing well thanks to so many of you and we are about a month away from sending a strong message about what to North Texas is and that is not for sale. Uh and that message will reverberating across the country and it will have an impact beyond just our district beyond just our community and I'm really excited about it and it couldn't have been possible without so many of you here in streaming and sometimes we're watching and I just wanna thank you all for committing ourselves to a better Kinda politics because that's what we're trying to do, we've tried to run a positive campaign on the issues where we have talked about our differences, we have not made up fact. We have said this is this is where we stand this is where my opponent stands. Uh and you will have responded this community has responded and we're taking our message most importantly, person-to-person the neighborhood neighbor and texan texan and that can no amount of money can buy those kinds of contacts and it's impossible because of so many people who decided to get engage in their own democracy. I am delighted to be here today with Dance it's United tiffany because of the work they're doing to promote issue. We absolutely should overturn citizens, United. It was wrongly decided it is in our democracy for sale completely agree, President Obama was right and within his um so if you know what he said that this is gonna allow money that we don't know where it's coming from influence our politics we've already seen that, and you know it's we say we don't can come from places that are not in our interest and I'm also so happy to join Carson Clark, the same content this lady because they are leaders on this and I think it's great for us here in North Texas. That we have members of Congress who are leaders. Uh the Democratic caucus, but also nationally and want to come here. Get involved in our raise talk to us about these issues um and then it shows how far we've come as we have made this as a community into a race that is going to have up like I said big implications and for us. We deserve better here and so I wanna thank you so much and I'm so happy to be here with you to thank you so much for taking the time out It's really very kind of you and I know all our folks looking forward to hearing from you So I am, I wanna be here today, just for any candidate because my Boston Red Sox plate every plate, uh last night and I can't watch in the club, go nice looking so good and the bases were loaded on like all College, uh. You know whenever there's a lot more on my alarm in the beginning, but it's worth it because we believe in collins and I am so Grateful to all of you for the work you're doing to bring in the Congress and let me tell you why he has stood out um to me and to so many of us in Congress and I'm coach sharing the rich blue program which is the Democrats identifying seats that we can flip from Red to blue around the country and we have a lot of competition. This year and excellent candidates, but colin stood out and Get up early and one of the reasons um when we first met him, he was in as all of you know, a very large and competitive primary and we've got an okay. Whoever makes it through that and we evening collins got a great shine at it. Then has to run against a very entrenched, powerful income in in North Texas um so we're like well um that's, a lot to take on and you know what happened in the primary and you know, what's gonna happen on November six The reason I am so impressed with colin is that is a lot to take on and campaign's are expensive and to get the word out when you've never run for office before and build up your name recognition and their platform takes a lot of resources and to look at that race. A crowded primary, followed up by a very entrenched incumbent who is more than willing to take money from any source um shows real leadership To say I'm not gonna, do that and I'm going to prove to the people that I represent so before, even setting foot in Congress, he is already influencing the way people think about campaign's um. He is already sent a letter to all of us us saying I want this as a priority. If I am elected to Congress, I wanted to be one of the first things that we do is look at transparency and that's easy to do When you're you know easier to do when you're already in in coming, but to do that in your first race and to say I'm gonna build trust with people in my district is really the kind of leaders that we need and it's the kind of leaders we particularly at this point in American history with the threats to democracy that were seen and when I look at collins amazing life story, we all know um He is a very successful and nfl football player, but it's really to me what struck me was what a voice for public education and we don't talk so much that he's so that it is the public education that he received here in Dallas that allowed him to go to one of the leading law schools in the country become civil rights, attorney work in the My administration practice here you really understands the struggles and how you like, that but it starts with education and for me and one of the issues that colin is really highlighting. The great equalizer is early education and making sure that every student by that time they get to kindergarten is ready to learn and if we can do that, we can offset poverty and stress and health issues for kids They will be successful and we can do that by the time they're five years old, but we can't do that without public funding. We can't have federal government, be the needs to be and educating all of our children. No matter what their zip code is. No matter. How much money is in their families Bank account if we've just giving all of our tax dollars to corporations and the very wealthiest and what to eat sessions And the Republicans have done with the tax bill is made the winner circle in this country very small for those who already made it for those who are already powerful and can influence campaign's so knowing what's at stake for the future of kids here in Dallas um kids, just like colin um, who we can build an incredible future board, we invest in them, knowing what's at stake Allen said I'm not gonna be part of this system and I'm gonna lead by example and that's what we need and so despite the late night, um um that's. What I want to come to say. Thank you for running um and to thank all of you for supporting him because it doesn't happen. You can't run a grassroots campaign without volunteers and all those small donors that say we'll do our part, whatever It is I'll do my part, so that we can reclaim our government and when we let colin it sense of statement that goes far beyond this district and um. I cannot wait to be able to serve with him in Congress, but I am so grateful for all of your help in getting from you. Thank you Good afternoon I'm really thrilled to be here as well. Uh first to say thank you for the work you're doing collect calling all read other the voters of the 30 second congressional district deserve his leadership and representation and our country needs him and particularly on this issue with respect to money in politics is tiffany spoke about, think you know. We see all around the country involved everywhere. This deep cynicism people also believing that the government doesn't really work for them. It's not on their side and you know what in many instances are absolutely right they've lost Confidence that they have a real voice and part of that, a big part of that is the corrupting influence of money in our political system and when I was reviewing collins fresh ideas, package which contains all of these wonderful new reforms to really get big money out of our plates. So we can amplify the voices of ordinary Americans all across this country, including here in Texas, making sure that the voting rights act as your authorized automatic voter registration, all efforts to make sure we hear the voices of the American people to drown out this big money From special interest and lobbyist, but this pleasure he took to refuse corporate pac money that act by itself, along with the number of other candidates around the country, is for the changing politics in this country because he's shown in this race and you can raise the money to get his message out from citizens of this district and communicate that without the help of big corporations and if you look at some of the big challenges, we face the cost of prescription drugs. Why is it that we pay the highest prices for prescription drugs anywhere in the world because of the power of big pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists and the money they spend on elections that that's kind of why do we Continue to have very high healthcare costs because the power of the insurance lobby and part so you look at the example of the tax bill. It was so bold. It when the tax bill has been considered. The lobbyist we're actually writing hand written notes in the columns. You know the edges of the legislation and, as tiffany said, we even have members of Congress who said out loud my daughters told us and we don't have been this tax, but don't call them anymore for donations. I mean actually said it out loud and so it's so Crazy room and breaking this connection between money and politics, so that we can have public policy that is driven about what's good for the public good. What's good for the American people and it's good for residents of the Texas. 30 second congressional district versus what's good for powerful corporations and big lobbyists and special interest breaking that connection is critical to the survival of our democracy and colin showing both is principle stand on this planet success in this campaign and we can charge the different course. This country that we can have a democracy and a government that is responsive to the Needs of the people we serve and not to the big money interests in Washington and as he said, his election here will not only mean a lot for Texas and for the 30 second commercial district. It will be alot for our country because we will be able to really change the course of our political system so much of the cynicism that I hear wherever I travel is the fact people have lost faith in the government's actually working for them and when President Kennedy was President 71 percent of the American people believe the federal government is working on their behalf today is in the single digits Big explanation for that seven is the seven percent. The big explosion that is the corrupting influence of money and um colin is an extraordinary candidate for all the reasons that have been explain he's gonna bring incredible intellectual capacity incredible passion the deep commitment to this state in this district ascent of life experiences I've had tremendously to work but from my perspective, most importantly, he's gonna bring a principle approach to breaking the stranglehold of big money on our political system and Get the government working for the people of this country again and he's already done. If, in his place so I'm proud to be here and Those extremely helpful thank you all. Um so now I'm gonna talk a little bit about the sports of things in the Congress. Can do and what sort of reforms you hope to see. Colin when you're elected and representatives um what sorts of things are. You looking to pass the types of blogs legislation. What can we expect from school yeah so I think that we as um terms with sliding carson partner, said we have so much work to do to restore confidence and I think it's not gonna happen In just one voter one piece of legislation we have to have, but I think it's gonna be a new raft of legislation and ethics on voting rights on campaign finance uh. That will throw open the curtains and let the light in and let people see what the government is doing understand who's paying for things in our campaign's understand the role that money is playing and hopefully to use public pressure and to diminish those activities right into and all of us know, for example, that uh you know corporations backing some cynical ad Campaign against a candidate and you know who's behind it. Then you might not shut up with that company or spending your money. There and you might vote with your wallet and then they might haven't decided not to do that's why we should have increase. Are disclosure laws and things like that but as a voting rights attorney. I am really interested in and focus on expanding the right to know. We know here in Texas that we have um dead last like the last voter turnout that's gonna change this election and we're gonna do a lot of work here of course, in our district, but across the state we know that better is driving a lot of interest and we're not gonna be That last in this election, uh but we have a lot of work to do and I think it begins with some things that christ jesus was mentioning that we put out there beginning with restoring the voting rights act. There are certainly bad actors out there trying to make it hard to bill vote um making election day a National holiday if we just hands columbus and we have what yeah and then automatically registration, I think, when you turn eighteen as we automatically I shouldn't be uh from the New York, isn't coming up on using individual the stage this is an all our interest beauty boat uh and those are Some initial things that I would love to see this dude uh, but there's multiple that we have here. We have a lot of work to get done and it might take the the effort of multiple multiple years to get it done. But that doesn't mean it's not worth doing it took us a long time. It is alright to act to this along time to get women to leverage uh these fights that are worth having is worth having over the course of time and this election will be a big big start for it and it's gonna give us and I got a leg up on all those this is really about values And integrity right and I think that is what uh collins principle stand up showing is that he's going to lead with uh the backbone right. He's gonna stand up when it's a fight back against the special interest when that is needed. He's gonna stand up and fight for the voters of the Texas 30 second district um one of the things that congressman Clark quickly mentioned in her remarks that I want to highlight before flipping. It back over to you guys is calling just help uh Lee day letter from other Democratic House challengers and this letter said the very First thing we need to do to restore faith in American government is to pass reforms to improve our system to bring about this democracy requires from getting big money out of politics to restoring the voting rights act in being uh partisan gerrymandering right and um. He was one of 12 leaders on this letter and the letter was sent to all of Congress and basically said look we're putting you on notice we're coming in and we're different clients and we are demanding real change. They got a hundred and seven challengers to sign on to that letter, a hundred and seven. I there's probably not much context for that, but that's incredible. It's amazing and uh. I would love to book congressman Clark and congressman system. We need to talk about what that does inside the caucus and what that means but look when you have that many people who are running and saying this is a priority and this is the very first thing that we're all coming in demanding is done um that, suddenly make sure that there is real change and not just not just change that we talk about But change that we actually see and feel and uh you can continue to build on throughout the years because your colin Smith this is this is a long-term fight. But it is one worth having it yeah. I do wanna mention that letter I got uh. It more to me from my cheapest staff with a wow because it is so remarkable um and I know that you're used to having a remarkable candidate is just being bold and showing leadership, but it is remarkable um that already uh these these chase Challengers are saying, listen you know a lot of us have never run for any kind of office before uh or held it. Um, but we are answering the call to protect our democracy and fundamental tonight is making sure that we protect the right to vote and that means transparency and who's funding. Our campaign's we're always gonna have people fun campaign's, but who are day and who are the two dozen or so families that that represents a huge A portion of all our campaign, product and don't you, wanna know who they are isn't that part of making an evaluation. Um that is very difficult to do, which is what we're hoping to get down with the disclose act. That colin has signed on to um and supported in his campaign so um. There are many pieces that we can consider, but I think the leadership on the colin is already shown is Saying to us, signaling to the Democratic caucus and and Republicans that, as candidates were very serious about this, this isn't just campaign talk this is how we're going to be candidates and this is how we're gonna be as members of Congress and that's a powerful message. Um to Washington into the country and if we protect that right to vote and have it be an informed to vote um, then we We can we can protect our democracy from just about anything and we need to do that. Uh and we're seeing across this country that real threats to the to the right to vote and we have to use the tools that we have as Congress to restore other voting rights act um store section five to eight. So that we can be an check on impulses where there are concerted efforts to suppress the vote um and it means this transparency and there are other pieces that we can consider. I have a bill Talking about ethics, uh for the positive um, there you go in the bar and regular every modern President, investment uh himself from business operations it's just been the practice, but if it is no longer the practice, then let's make it a law that you have to give your tax information the yeah and you have to divest yourself from business interests so these are all bills that we're considering for our package, but really it's I've never Seen this uh I haven't been in Congress very long, just about five years, but I have been in the state House for a while at home in massachusetts and I've never seen candidates already leading the drive and leading for change and it is it is there's. Nothing more heartbreaking in this whole campaign season than seeing that and feeling people say you know maybe I can really trusted this time. People want to But they're not sure they can anymore and when you have candidates like colin that are walking the walk um. That bill tote and when there's hope, good candidates with um and it's that connections so it's really it's more profound than yeah. But I think it's it's safe to say that has never happened before in the history of Congress. That candidates in that number have written to colleagues to say this is what we expect to happen when we come to Congress so I think it's incredibly powerful I think the other thing that that letter evidences, which kinda spoken about a little bit is collins understanding and his hopeful new colleagues understanding that these practices that were trying to change are having a negative impact on people's lives. It's not just sort of a process question that it will be you know better process people actually get it and colin gets that the reason we pay the highest prices for prescription drugs is because you've been corrupting influence of money in our system the reason that they're rolling back regulations that protect the quality of our water because of the powerful lobbyists that working for big chemical companies the reason that we To tax bill that didn't provide working families with a permanent and real tax cut and said, gave eighty three percent of the cut to the top. One percent and now walk working people to pay for that tax cut cutting Medicare social security medicaid programs veterans benefits is because of the corrupting influence of money, so I think collins leadership has help make the case to the American people that it's not just is it would be better so I mean in terms of a textbook study of democracy. We imposing bad Policies on people because of the corrupting influence of money in our political system and then we're gonna fix all the big challenges that face us. We have to first fix that we need two business in Washington and get covered working for the people of getting to reduce the influence of money and Apple pie the voices of ordinary Americans that's what the letter says that's. What he's planning speaks about and to have leadership that recognizes that even before you gets there is extraordinary and wonderful and important in this moment in our country's history. I'm here in part because 30 second congressional district needs him Our country needs a such amazing people like and Great connection with you money and politics and get the government working for the people of this country and now the Democrats people ask as well as a lot of Democrats, stand for. We get up everyday and fight for the people and we don't fight for the special interest the big lobbyist that well connected, we fight for the ordinary people, send us to Washington the cons already demonstrate that that's what he'll do when he has to Washington we're happy to be here to support the thinking for his work So this has been already rich conversation where story about a time so I'm gonna touch order came here like I return to some of the audience. Astronauts little um and we will not feel obligated for everyone. Yeah. Ladies and um so one question um is, I think, the number of you have mentioned how it's important for us to know where the funding is coming from from the campaign's um so the question is this around. I think how how to people who know our people as opposed to know what's funding the campaign where did they get that information, because we wanna make all these changes, but we have election of the month while this is one of the very ease when I introduce the disclose act in the House um, we Which you will know, the exact number of classes, but I think it's like 199 all Democrats say. Yes, not a single public. This gonna bill that would require disclosure of where the money is coming. So as colin said when you seen an ad on Tv, you at least, we know who's paying for it so, then you can decide what way to assigning but credibility to give it um that's just a basic measure to make sure people get information. We can't get a single Republican member to support the disclose act, including the sessions, so get there that's one simple thing. We can do that brings transparency. You could ask candidates for the people Another district why I'm supporting to disclose that bring transparency so we know where this money, because you can't find that right. Yeah in this election. It will remain in the streets right. Okay that's. What I had uh this is not always been just a partisan issue um the campaign finance law that we're operating under largest became find goal. It has John mccain's name and uh. There used to be some agreement about this. It shouldn't be a partisan issue shouldn't be the only one side is trying to do this and so I thank you for your leadership If this is not a partisan issue when it comes to voters, 78 percent of Republican voters want to overturn citizens, United to eighty percent of all voters want uh full and transparent disclosure of politics. This is only partisan on Capitol Hill and it's because of the way that the money is coming in improving the system that's very good, good. This is that another only at special and started calling, but I think I am but congressman College we can probably get some information to um So pete sessions haven't has held he's almost a full term without holding a single town Hall that was really speaking to his constituents. So um can you talk a little bit about how you're gonna be different. What you're gonna do how you're gonna stay in touch with your constituents and the congressman constantly and community talk about how you do that yeah strength well to me this is this is one of the biggest things that I'm focus on changing um because there's something really we're talking about this really is something really uh wrong You won't come talk to your boss so your boss is the people in this district and people were saying we wanna talk to you about what you're doing and are on our behalf in our name and attention to say no, I wanna talk to you you'll ask the tough questions you ask me what I'm gonna tell you that you don't have to listen know that you know. I mean that's it's funny kind of and it seems like it's uh. You know yeah look at that baby that to be sessions with it's it's a big problem for democracy. We need people who are Accountable to the people who they're representing we have to get back to, especially now what's going on uh this administration. That's why I have to go back to our roots as a representative democracy, so I've signed on the town and we're committed to hold periodic town halls as often as we possibly can and I told you all and many of you who come to our events, that we might not always agree on every single vote cast for every single issue but I only show you the respect and the decency to have a conversation with you about it And to let you tell me why you disagree with me we're gonna have to go back to back and forth that's what our democracy is. Uh and you know I think the of all the things when I think about you know my mom and my family living here in the idea that they can't contact your member of Congress so they don't think they have a voice in the some of the people. I grew up with in my high school hear it feels like it's some kind of like far-off thing when I always believe the government isn't the government is us and if we don't like it, we should be able to change it and if you're gonna talk about it and we have to get back to that and so Um I'm committed to opening the seat in returning to the people in this area, like I said we might not always agree on everything but I always come back here. Certainly live here. Uh I think, make sure you know what we're doing. I want you to know what we're doing and I think that, especially now in this era of technology in which we didn't know so much there's, no reason you shouldn't know, remember Congress I'd like an arguments he was better than grandma time And then you know yeah. I love take another one. Great um so if this one is in our audience question, um you tax a little bit about voting rights and other things that we need to do to make it easier to vote for something other, more practical things. You need to simply a lot of young people are register were some of the things that we can do to make it years for people actually can't spell. It and you, like yeah you know, I always say um that when I turned eighteen I was our anniversary For this type of service that in this country weekend we're able to do this, we need to have automatic voter registration. Alot of States have already moved in this direction. Talk to a lot of young people who don't understand the deadlines for voter registration and don't understand some of the paper work that goes into it uh to me this should be incumbent on our state and here I don't in Texas, that just means like us in the country to expand the vote, especially now with the Supreme court, is likely gonna be hostile to voting rights and get the shift to an affirmative model Probably granting and expanding the right to not waiting on the court ruling, not waiting on individual States just to do it, but as the Congress to make this a priority, because it is a crisis for us when we have 56 point five percent voter turnout in the presidential election at the National prices for us in here in Texas, we have under 20 percent voter turnout and I was every election prices for us it's not producing extremes and candidates are only responsible to the smallest part of the primary electric and that's how we end up in the situation where we're you see things coming out of Washington. They make absolutely no sense at all it's because they're not speaking to the We're not speaking to the majority of folks, that just to make sure that when the next primary yeah and automatic voter registration uh you know I'm recognize that you know it was the case. Unfortunately, our country that we actually didn't allow everyone to vote every citizen in this country. We won period was only White people that was only man. It was only property owners in two thousand eighteen I hope we're all every citizen of this country to vote and so the automatic voter registration legislation flips the presumption has had says when you turn eighteen persistent the United States, you are register vote as a matter of law and you have 30 days to unregistered because something you just don't wanna vote, but rather than making people register it happens automatically And you know your Republican opponent is not as supportive that legislation that still it's a simple bill that would amplify the voices and make sure many more people have their voices heard in my home state round recently passed it and added many, many people to the voting polls are eligible to vote. You still have to encourage them and get them there and all the obvious things, but you remove one barrier and colors absolutely right. We need to remove barriers and making easier for people to vote, not more difficult. Everyone who supports our democracy should support that and I know colin will be a sponsor that bill when it comes to Congress, you know the money and Single actually plays into the voter turnout angle as well, because, as people have felt like the system doesn't work for them and they have lost faith in the system. Then they figure. Why bother turning out right, like why am I gonna go passed about because it's not working for me um so that you actually play on each other and so we have to continue to build faith in our government and then it can work for you again and that you actually own your government um because it's called the missing link. How many of you get to keep your job. If you tell your boss I'm not gonna come, talk to you and I'm not gonna answer the question right. Like that's crazy um so we both have To address the feeling that the government isn't working for individuals at the same time, figuring out all the different ways to encourage people to vote so that so that the system better reflects the diversity and the interest opinions that most of America House yeah. I think we hear that reflected. I hear it all the time on my vote doesn't really matter does it you know I just don't know if it matters and I think it's because people feel so disconnected it's sort of this big money up here and their lives are down here and people are busy with their jobs, raising families Please making ends me they don't have time to get into the weeds of all of this and we just have to get back to every campaign ends up being about who jesus do you see me how do you see the barriers and challenges my family basis and there you gonna fight for me and colin stand on not taking corporate money on being a lead already and reforming transparency and protecting the right to vote is such a powerful message that He sees all of you. He sees the voters and families in this district and he's not afraid of them. He's gonna meet them at town halls. He wants everyone of them to vote um and then that's mean that's the leadership. We need and that's why I think you're gonna win because people are hungry for that um they just want Congress to work together and do something meaningful for them and they just wanna be seen Have the issues they talked about around their kitchen tables, be on the table. Washington and the way you're running your campaign is just you know just prove that you believe it and you do it were just that the time so I just wanna give you an opportunity. If there's anything else any of you wanna add our clothes with um. Thank you all for joining us it's been really so. We are 27 days out right. I know, can you Believe it yes, we are 27 days out from an this is not hyperbole, but the most important election of our lifetime. Alright. I think we've heard that alot over the years I have never uh I've been doing this for a number of years. I've never in my life believed it more. This is actually our opportunity to send real change and real leadership to Washington and it's leadership You deserve it's change that you deserve right yes, it's going to help all of us to be able to accomplish more in Washington, but more importantly, it's about your life and the challenges that you're facing here in Texas. 32 and the kind of representation that you need um. We I'd in citizens United, are so proud to support colin and to be here with all of you today um and we're gonna be doing everything that we can over the next 27 days to help get him over the finish line, but we need all of your help to right. There are lots of phone calls to make Because we need to make sure that everyone gets out to vote and that means that they need to know where to go and how to do it early. Voting starts on October. 20 second right, like, that's what 12 days away that's, not very far, we gotta let people know oh We got an up yours. We gotta make sure that everyone knows about calling and about what he stands for and the kind of change is gonna bring um we need all of you to vote up your here. I'm gonna guess that you're gonna vote so, let's go, get a five other people to vote right and let's make sure that they go, tell five more people to vote um because that's the way increasing turnout is absolutely the way that we're gonna send him to Washington and then yeah uh pete sessions to only one percent of his money for people giving under a hundred dollars that's crazy, most of his money is coming from these big outside special interest groups and I am so in Order to fight back colin needs individual donors to dig in and give anything they can so if you've been able to dig in and give 10 dollars or 15 dollars or 25 dollars. Do it again before the election. If you can, because you've seen the negative attacks going on on the Tv and he needs all of your home so thank you so much fun uh. I can't wait to uh help you all flip the 30 second and sing colin the Congress Well, I won't be really great here, but I wanted to say that there's, a line from my past through my life and I go to little church in East Dallas little methodist church uh just as what that, when you're in a tough spot when things are not looking so great just do the next right thing uh as a country, I think we all know that we're gonna tell us about and there's a lot of things that we wanna get done and it might seem like a overly ambitious but what I think we're all trying to do is the next right thing. Take it begins with the subject. Are right here, which is returning our democracy to normal people. Turning our marks in the us, it should be always has been and must be a government for and by the people and when it takes to be the Which I know all of us are worried about that happening. Um it will be a lost not just for us here in the world and we have to remain that beacon on the Hill and ability big part of that is the richness and the continued progress of our democracy is not a story that was perfect from the very beginning. It's a story of incredible progress. We all know that not very long ago, someone who look like me, we wouldn't know about it here, not very long though I wouldn't have to run Here and there are many other stories like that in the state of people right now who are being disenfranchised there are efforts underway around our country to try and silence. The voices of normal people. We have to be the ones to return that this election is all about that. It's not gonna be about going to Washington and trying to stand up to the guy in the White House we're trying to you know shut everything down and stop and not have anything come to the Congress. We wanna do real things. We want to deliver real change. We want to pass things at least put it on the desk and say this is a positive thing for our country. If you dont side of the people, should know that you're not excited uh and we're gonna get Work for you and this has been a do nothing know nothing. Congress and pete sessions has been one of the main leaders of it and we have had issues here that we needed to have resolved that he has ignored because he doesn't know what's going on and because he has voices that are more important than ours that's gonna change the day that I was born in because of all of you and we're gonna do the next. Thank you I'm not touching their Oh my knock doors American ease on well. Thank you, both so much for coming. Thank you to coming. Thank you all for being part of this for those of you who are watching. Thank you for being a part of this discussion. We need to talk about money in politics, opening of our democracy. This is so important 27 days