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Video Transcript
Hey with uh big roster of organizations to support hr one for the people of this is intended to show the broad support for this legislation the most sweeping pro democracy and corruption legislation for the last 50 years um we're gonna first hear from two members of Congress who will introduce and after that will run through leaders of a wide variety of non governmental organizations um our first two speakers will be representative John saar baines from Maryland Competitive cable corner from California jumping in the surveys is the lead sponsor of hr one spectacular champion for democracy issues brought together this month a little legislation that was a thrill to be supporting the So excited to have her into Congress and have a representing the new energy on behalf of democracy and against corruption for dinner Sunday thank you good morning everybody it is a great to be here with the leaders of the movement to take back our democracy from the special interest insiders uh I wanna thank everyone who is assembled here I wanna thank you uh behind me we could not be here today celebrating the introduction of hr one that where the people act without this broad strong grassroots coalition that has been For years to get us to this moment where we can show the American people that we wanna We want to give them ownership back of their own government that's what this is all about we called it before the people act because we've got abraham lincoln was a very good place to go uh to get some phrasing and he talked about a government of by and for the people and when you look at what this H R one bill will do making it easier not harder to vote in America and strengthening ethics and accountability and pushing back against the influence of special Tremendously excited about that Democrats of course we want to open the government but we also wanna open the democracy and that's what this is all about accountability transparency we know that most America supporting to the poll look at Washington they look at conners a very skeptical they're cynical about whether their voice actually matters here they know the price we pay every day for the undue influence of special interests have Here on Capitol Hill they know that it's harder to protect clean air and clean water when the fossil fuel industry has undue sway they know that it's hard to get good jobs raise the minimum wage do the right thing when economy and tax policy so my Wall Street calls the shots they know that we can't get to the kind of sensible gun safety measures we need in this country when the gun lobby has too much influence here in Washington they know that it's hard to address the costs of prescription drug pricing when pharma's the In the shot with an army of lobbyist and plenty of cash to spread around they know the causes what they didn't know until now with weather we were serious about trying to fight back inside to look for the people act hr one in our statement and we are Serious about making that happen I wanna again thank the coalition all who you're gonna hear from and many other that made it possible for us to be here to seize the moment to tell Americans across the country who felt left out and locked out for too long put your back this is the year democracy makes a comeback in hr one is gonna be part of that effort I'm incredibly delighted uh to introduce the next person I The next person you getting here from uh congressman katie border from California I had the opportunity to travel with California we did an event together in her district nobody understands better than he does the power of this message and promised American people cleaning up Washington and on rigging the system she knows that that touched a nerve and she leaned into that message and she was rewarded by being elected in california's 40 fifth district the Never class today with electric plus if you give us the gavel if you turn the Democrats into the majority we will turn around and give you your democracy back so she represents dozens and dozen of you members of Congress who came here understanding of our of this message this nary this promise of taking back our country and returning to a government of by and for the people of Haiti quarters Come on up here as a new member and especially thankful for two things to be joined by so many wonderful leaders Africa um and to have a very walk out uh very cool uh goodbye to California about what congresses are being said about the way in which uh newly elected members campaign on this issue is exactly right so when people would say as so many burgers and how are you gonna do How are you gonna make How are you gonna make promised progress and prescription drugs or consumer protection or education answer was we have to make sure the fundamental machinery of our democracy is working for the people and that's what this bill does three court area strengthening for tonight's incredibly important um second or cracking down on correction this is not a new problem but it's one of which I think the American people are newly engaged town and we deserve the highest ethical standards from our viewers enormous of hungry for the Cars and everyone should be held to higher standards and the Campaign financing foreign passed time to reduce the influence of big money on politics and the spill does tapped created small dollar matching program that will reward those who are running grassroots campaigns of the kind of ideas proud on my campaign trail as cover conservatives just to make campaign finance reform position increase or I hope Representing the area ever back a hundred years and last on the destroy part of the way that I appealed to a wide demographic in orange County was by making it clear that under the list of the people of my district and the people of this country and not listen to special money politics so is congressman serving said I'm here on behalf of my entire freshman class we are on vacation um dozens and dozens of us who lead the way in setting new standards around how we think We are living proof that you can get elected in tough seats by doing what's right and special interest money not by taking special interest money so I am so proud to have the support of all of those leaders behind me and moving hr one forward and I cannot wait to Dream again to celebrate its passage um as soon as possible thank you so much We're excited today to be able to bring together through the declaration for American democracy really hot range from civic Organization leaders introduce them all now to introduce the person who follows them afterwards um the outside and we've got a lot of messages you wanna share the downside is it's kinda cold wanna go quick so we're gonna show Democratic discipline in solidarity towards each other and towards all of you by limiting our comments after this about 90 seconds and the first person speaking will be a friend or time or President of democracy 21 he will be followed by The President of the communication workers of America that leah greenburg to come executive director of in divisible Hillary shelton the senior vice President of policy and advocacy at the naacp near at hand and the President and ceo of the Center for American progress josh horowitz executive director of the coalition to stop gun violence three a carry the executive director of the National lgbt accused passports action fund Michael King and the President and ceo of people for the American way Here in terms executive director The President of the leadership conference on civil and human right Medal campaigns and legislative director at the sierra club and we will have a long way to go And yeah get your are one reflects the fact that our democracy is at a crossroads Broken political system and I corrupt campaign finances the American people know it and they strongly object to this bill is a holistic approach to dealing with the problems of Washington influence money correctly secret money in our elections voter suppression extreme partisan gerrymandering and Florida government ethic rule Briefly address two aspects of the battle that begins with hr one we cannot and will not an influence money corruption in Washington without providing candidates with the small donor imagine pump system found in hr one it simply will not happen given the campaign finance system that was an act by the Supreme court the new financing system is essential to end candidate dependency on big money hunters to power ordinary Americans and greatly reduce the power one of the big money but secondly we do not have to enter this battle wearing rose colored glasses we know this battle will be difficult and will take five we envision a 33 to five year battle but this type will not stop until H R one is an active it took five years doing that and maintain fine gold blog over the obstructionist tactics and unyielding opposition of then senator Mcdonald now Senate majority leader mcconnell The When Mccain feingold law was an advocate of the year with a Republican President a cause controlled by Republicans and a Senate Democrat in the Senate controlled by Democrats by one vote so do not be mistaken with the idea that because this bill is not trying to pass the Senate in this Congress it's not enacted it is going to be in that public outrage played a Central role in winning the reform battle in two thousand to citizens Rise up again to win this battle this fight is on Thank you uh first I wanna thank congresswoman shopping's the working tirelessly I mean tile to get this bill passed and uh you know the other thing I have a message for the Democrats you guys are hitting now we cannot be stuff inside We stand strongly behind this legislation and urge is this passage on democracy is broken and crisis see wa Ms knowing for too long members have engaged in elections only to find the ability to vote restricting all handed their voices drowned out by millions of corporate dollars funds flowing into elections and their access to their representatives cut off by well It's corporate lobbyist she wa members believe that Washington is rigged against the interest of ordinary working people they are growing increasingly apathetic as they see Washington post on focus on things like the tax cut for Wall Street rather than secure and stable jobs for them and their families they are crying out to anyone to bring out democracy back to its founding principles of we the people not we Connected with huge cycle that's why we are so excited that this is the first major piece of legislation introduced by House Democrats and why we will work with our friends and allies to see there this past weekend and we will make sure our members and the public know who is on their side to take on democracy back for one of the people and who stands in their way so thank you again Saw veins and let's get it on and let's get this bill passed thank you Hi I'm mayor greenberg executive director of individual uh individual of the grassroots network with thousands of local communities that sprung up after the 20 16 election dedicated to existing trump anticipating your Progressive values on this us uh the groups that we represent um Are excited to see the Democratic majority in Washington and in fact that you have to try to Demonstrate their vision or goal progressively and you drive what does that Package of campaign finance reform um with voting rights and access On corruption and politics it is the kind of very worth it we need to see and And our other Progressive priorities without this fundamental Now this is an issue that the grassroots is passionate about on the first day of Congress had In this nationwide are seeing Democratic and Republican And strongly expect me to be a comprehensive package but not want to water down We work on after you thinking but we know it's not about the trump And that is why we are so excited about the legislation You Thankfully uh I am President listening American progress and the Center for American progress action fund and I Be part of this fantastic large scale coalition you see Representatives here represent a much larger group of people around the country and I think many of us are important Crossing point do you think that people are making the deep and Democracy and a root system that is pretty elegant pocket book we saw in this election cycle and over the last years especially assistant that passed legislation only for conservative donors and let's get the deficit Special interest will be holding And our democracy is corrupted by existence that we are trying to pick and It's orange working people working families people around the country Debates and campaigns and people understand the democracy and what's happening to their pocketbooks are not That's why H R one is so important and it is so critical that it is H R one divorce bill because people in our country under That we're not gonna get the health care we need a tax system we need we're not gonna fight inequality until our government is working That is why this legislation is so critical that is why a broad Progressive coalition is going to work night and day to see a passed out of the House and I'm not giving it five years ok I'm saying we're gonna see this path if not with this President the next President who I hope will be here two years so uh I am accelerating the timeline for all of us here okay because I don't think we have years to save our democracy we don't have a decade the same for everyone we have And to introduce uh josh I'm actually gonna go hilary shelton C vice President at Cbs station With good afternoon everyone as much time hold the shelter director of naacp Washington Bureau and served as senior vice President for policy and advocacy on behalf of the naacp is the chair of our National board of directors Leon Russell President and ceo of the naacp Mr Johnson I 20 200 membership deals in every state throughout the United States but we're also still on military basis that's the polish Americans in Italy Germany Korea and Japan we are honored to be here our great to our leaders to move in such an important piece of legislation and make it We understand that it is the Speaker of the House determines these throw your numbers someone if they Nasa closest we're taking that leadership and having the foresight to say that she four and beyond everything else america's right to vote to protect that right the depth and breadth of those issues must report front and foremost this is a valuable Organisation in 19 oh nine to address the issue of unfettered access to the polls we recognize the challenges throughout our country require the people they've been locked out too many times because so many reasons that's why Bill is so important to us with hr one does is move the initiative forward to make sure those protections are very well in place we've lost him strive as it's not what happened in the shelby versus holder decision where one of protection within the civil rights and the voting rights act excuse me was virtually eliminating we must restore that and moved to adjust other issues including how our voices are very will locked out by the big box of both type billion dollar corporations and individuals that's in the song So loud and move the picture so brightly that no one else is vote is seen heard or counted and that's why we're also delighted that we're taking on futures like those disenfranchise ment tools to come out of the civil rights school it's just like former felons being prevented from being able to cast an unfettered vote and have it counted once they paid their debt to society and make sure that they to claim the society overall it's a great see what just happened in Florida we need that in the rest of the country as well if someone made a mistake if so what's going to one of the things that are proven to be very effective is it if they are able to come out and be able to cast an incredible vote they have their cause to understand turned and see they are less likely to go back in the gym and were more like the saturn and demands and the direction that we needed to go so with that I want to thank Thomas our brains to be providing the kind of leadership that he had let me just say that I've never met anyone quite destination and as congressman service it was time to talk about the mismanagement of resources and a lot of people out because of campaign finance and the need for reform no one has been loud I've been working Let me just say the brother would even stop five miles and I don't live close to Capitol Hill so that is why we need to do this and make it happen soon removed into a very very important presidential election congressman I wanna thank you and all the other leadership here on Capitol Hill forward and I want to also bring to turn now to your 10 and think oh my gosh that's my dear friend josh Norman And I'm josh with some coalition stop gun violence the coalition to stop gun bounds endorses for the people act Americans Government that works for them H R one hope you have a bipartisan support and signed into law we Hr one is the purpose of legislation begin this historic session on Their dark money the corrupt politician in In favor special districts must be addressed and don't money his darker than the funds funnel from the National rifle Association To Capitol Hill the past year with the Russian infiltration of the NRA Funny This shines a light on the dark money and cocktails corruption the American people deserve a government that works for them we strongly encourage the passage of each are one is that congressman serving National Task force actually Hello everyone thanks for sticking it out here in the cold and um Perhaps a little bit of noise in the background of all the ironies um I'm rank carry executive director of the National lgbt task force thank you congressman We're giving all of us a chance to stand up again and again for democracy I'm here to state clearly and simply that voting rights is an lgbt q issue as a historically marginalized community we know that Lgbt q Americans were affected by a whole range of issues at hand in the Democratic process including immigration reproductive Justice healthcare affordable housing and discrimination just to name a few to We stand with our colleagues representing other movements to farms Congress to move forward on hr one a bold set of reforms that will serve as a much needed lifeline to democracy as an example for our movement when we allow strict voter id laws to put in transgender Americans whose gender representation may not match their it we lose their input in the Democratic process and that is wrong but it is Someone just also adjust his felon disenfranchise we believe that Americans are Fed up with the races clause and keep other Americans from holding for example as Hillary noted last November Florida voters by a very large margin restore the right to vote to over one million individuals with felony convictions in their past two it finished serving their sentences the task force Fun was on the ground organizing and we want to see that change nationwide the foreclosed hr month democracy reforms will amplify lgbt cute places an important policy debates and we will elect candidates who recognize the wholeness of our lives and the issue face everyone can agree that democracy works best when all communities are Participate I now putting a Michael keegan President and ceo Hall game over the America way Thank you right and um actually with this cold I think we should maybe move the timeline up nature's into year anyway I wanna uh say what an honor to be here um Serving leader of this Let me look at me later if you can get this message in selling orange County Um also I wanna do uh say we're honored this with the over a hundred and 20 500 with this Because released or and no better time I know it might be shocking at the time when voters are blocked from the ballot box or at the upcoming elections the electorate should official choosing their Candidates close to Modified millionaires to make better ads uh get some and the sexual harassment settlements against members of Congress are okay four out of taxpayers pockets that people are starting to lose faith in their government and I'm here on behalf of the uh one point five million members of people American way speak out in favor of this legislation um this legislation doesn't just represent the Designed to make sure that the voices of the people were or actually would just listen to in Washington This is very bad news for you if you're a billionaire or a huge Corporation but it's great news if you're an ordinary person All stripes what a government that is More transparent and more participatory because that's the kind of governments to respond to the needs of the voters and not just big donors and special interests that's not gonna happen without fixing the problems that each are The attacks on the right to vote a lot of big money on our elections and a broken ethics of The time is now let's get this done package is now more important than ever um the clock is ticking and uh with the culture of corruption on full display with the current administration it's crystal clear reform is needed and it's needed now there's only one place in America where that is a controversial idea that's in Congress over here today to make sure said now is the time for bold action so on behalf of uh people squared away in our one point five million members and activists I look forward to continuing the fight hr one and for the importance of There's a government of by and for the go Good afternoon my name is bishop garrison I'm a West point graduate a former us army officer and veteran of operation Iraqi freedom a former d H s d and veterans Affairs appointee and currently the interim director of the truman National security project as a National security Organization truman supports the for the people act because we know good inclusive governance is the first step towards making our nation safer while ensuring we remain an effective leader on the world stage we support Urgent commonsense reforms to reduce this in franchise meant increased transparency by corruption are broken democracy has made us a target for adversaries abroad including a bunch of attacks and information warfare against the 20 16 and 20 eighteen election process thankfully the provisions of the for the people like address some critical vulnerabilities it is important National security that we keep dark money out of politics we demand funding and oversight for election security and make sure that digital platforms are just closing who is buying political ads I urge all members of Congress not just Democrats to support the poor the people act transparency accountability and defense of our institutes institutions should not be partisan issues it's time for Elected officials to put country over party and ensure that we have a government that lives up to our values that work begins with the for the people act thank you Hi everyone we are minutes away from being able to deal our feet again so um I am anita gupta President and ceo of the leadership conference on civil and human right and our coalition of over 200 National civil and human rights organizations honor to support hr one the for the people he represents and transform the inventive prepared in democracy and I want to thank Congress for brains and the House Democratic leadership for really infusing hope and integrity back into our politics and institutions President trump It is a rotating or democracy it is work to undercut the power of communities of color immigrants and those historically excluded from our political profits before the people act offers an extraordinary opportunity to fix what is broken and put government back in the hands And among his bolder more of feature one requires nationwide same day right voter registration automatic photo registration and will restore the voting rights for people with criminal convictions these policies alone would add millions of voters to the role of hr one also includes very importantly a pledge to restore the voting rights act and as the former head of the civil rights division at the Obama Justice Department regarding a ver a was one of the most devastating blows to democracy in recent times we need to restore Provision that want to but just from a tory voting practices and States with histories of racial discrimination and let me be clear voting and the ability to participate in democracy is a racial Justice issue it is a civil rights issue it is a issue of poor democracy and we're overdue for change and for the people acting washer and sorely needed in Europe clean government and the leadership conference will work tirelessly will stay out and cold and staying in the month to continue to work Our members and elected leaders to pass this bill and ensure a future where all of our voices are thank you And with lots figure the dc's battle campaign which let up director of the sierra club Last I first want to thank our names but the whole point of making Your club card the lord take care of Website why with the sierra club and they can keep black are one Here clean water Therefore public biggest standing between the American public and Has been the influence of corporate money My work And it We will not get those For that reason published here Our allies You can see this Actually Look like for million floridians with former felony convictions gain the right to vote biggest addition to the butterball Because Florida voters stood up and passed a major democracy reform it wasn't just the port of voters have done the same thing in North dakota and Michigan and Missouri in Seattle and Denver and Baltimore counties across the state of Maryland the district of Columbia through the city Council pass major fair elections before last year there is a Democratic we're search that's going on across the country And it's not probably to Washington dc and we will see the passage of hr one before the people act for tent Bank representative surveys enough for his leadership but it's not just his leadership that made this possible purchase of the reaction to the most corrupt administration in American history member now living under its reaction to the citizens United decision of 10 years ago unleashing even more big money into our politics three action to the shelby County decision cutting the voting rights act Marco shameful displays and resent maybe really all the jurisprudence of the Supreme court But it is also a reaction to the growing movement across the country demanding democracy reforms American people to know that it is it's a failure of our democracy and it stands in the way of the agenda that they want it's not necessarily a Progressive agenda it's an American agenda to provide health care for all to raise the minimum wage to deal with price gouging by pharmaceutical companies to take on the existential threat of climate change that agenda has the support of 70 eighty 90 percent of Americans the reason we don't get progress because our political It's broken the corruption and the undermining of democracy the American people know that the only thing they support for the things I just listed is fixing the democracy itself which gets 90 percent support in public opinion polls so we are going to see that majority win and it's gonna win by passing hr one I'm not gonna debate what's the timetable of the two year five year faction we are going to passed hr one In this Congress or the next we're not gonna wait very long because the American people are demanding it decoration for American democracy of coalition of now more than a hundred and 25 organizations is gonna lead the charge for the reforms here and in the States and localities uh this is uh a signal moment in American history uh we so much appreciate the new czar baines leadership and he spoke to stands with us through the cold uh We will stand all together until we win these fundamental reforms Break right now if anyone wants to talk to representative surveys available anybody's individual be available thank you all very much for turning out
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