Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today Republican Senators employed the filibuster, a Jim Crow-era tool, to prevent the Senate from holding a vote or even starting a debate on the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act. The DISCLOSE Act would strengthen our democracy by shining a brighter light on outside groups that spend money in elections and judicial nominations, requiring them to disclose the names of the polluters and wealthy donors who contribute more than $10,000. Since the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision, dark-money expenditures increased from less than $5 million in 2006 to more than $300 million in the 2012 election cycle and topped $1 billion in 2020.
In 2021, the Sierra Club officially called for the Senate filibuster to be reformed or eliminated.
In response, Sierra Club Democracy Program Director Courtney Hight issued the following statement:
“Time and time again, Senate Republicans have exploited the filibuster, a racist remnant of the Jim Crow era, to block the Senate from even beginning debate on legislation that would protect and strengthen our democracy and our voting rights. Every person in this country -- no matter their skin color, their zip code, or their political affiliation -- has the right to drink clean water, to breathe clean air, and to be free to exercise their democratic rights to make their voice heard. American democracy is not a guarantee but rather a collective choice, and all Senators - both Republican and Democrat - have a duty to uphold and protect that choice.
“The Sierra Club once again calls for the Senate to reform or eliminate the filibuster so broadly popular and critically-needed bills like the DISCLOSE Act and the John R. Lewis: Freedom To Vote Act can finally see their day on the Senate floor.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.