FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2021
In response to the passage of H.R.1, the For the People Act, in the House of Representatives, Folabi Olagbaju, Greenpeace USA Democracy Campaign Director, said:
“We all want a government that is accountable to the people. Today, we are one step closer to that reality, as our elected officials in the House of Representatives passed the necessary democracy reform package, the For the People Act. A majority of Americans on both sides of the aisle support the For the People Act and want to stop the corroding influence of big money in politics that is blocking progress on issues Americans care most about. The only way to confront our historic challenges — an out of control pandemic, devastating job losses, a planet on the brink of crisis — is a fully functioning and fair democracy where all voices are heard and where the public interest, not special interests, guide decision-making.
“This sweeping reform can’t come any sooner. We only have a handful of years left to reduce the power of fossil fuel companies polluting our communities, our climate, and our democratic systems before we rocket past climate thresholds and find ourselves in the midst of catastrophe. The same fossil fuel billionaires who are polluting our air and water are also polluting our democracy by spending millions to push their toxic agendas, elect their allies, and keep anyone who disagrees with them away from the polls. Black and Brown communities, working families, and the health of the planet, suffer the worst consequences.
“Making pro-democracy reforms a first priority is the policy key to making progress on all the other issues facing our country. The next step is for our Senators to follow the will of the people and pass the For the People Act swiftly so it can be signed into law. It’s time for our lawmakers to prove themselves and show that democracy is their job. The time for transformational reform for democracy is now.”
ENDS
Contact: Valentina Stackl, Greenpeace USA, [email protected], (734) 276 6260