Voting Rights Cannot Wait

Fighting for Voting Rights

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans blocked the Freedom to Vote Act from advancing in the Senate. By doing so, they have voted to aid and abet the most dangerous campaign of voter suppression since Jim Crow – undermining their constituents, the Constitution and our country.

For too long, discriminatory voter laws, partisan gerrymandering and dark money have drowned out the voices of Americans – especially in communities of color. The Freedom To Vote Act would ensure every American has a voice and a vote in our democracy by:

• Expanding opportunities to vote with national standards to ensure easier voting access and voter registration;
• Combating voter suppression by cracking down on discriminatory restrictions and deceptive practices designed to deter voting;
• Fighting extreme partisan gerrymandering to ensure every American is fairly represented;
• Reforming the campaign finance system to fight back against dark money special interests and elevate the voices of the grassroots; and
• Promoting election security by modernizing voting technology and preventing the anti-democratic nullification of election results.

Since day one, the Democratic House Majority has led the charge to restore transparency, accountability and integrity to Washington – so that government could once again work For The People. The House passed H.R. 1, the For The People Act, the most significant voting rights and democracy reform in more than half a century, and H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to restore the power of the Voting Rights Act and block future restrictions imposed by states with dark histories of discrimination.

Passing and enacting democracy reform will put power back in the hands of the American people, so that we can make great progress on the challenges facing our country – from the climate crisis to income inequality to gun violence and more!

Guaranteeing Workplace Protections for Mothers
This week, the House passed H.R.3110, the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, a bill that protects and promotes breastfeeding rights for working mothers across America.

The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act:

• Ensures employers provide reasonable break time and private spaces for breastfeeding.
• Expands workplace protections for breastfeeding employees.
• Provides remedies for labor violations to nursing mothers.

A mother should not have to choose between her financial health and the health of her child. This bill is a step in the right direction towards fulfilling Democrats' vision to Build Back Better for women and families.

Earthquake Brace and Bolt Grant Program
Registration for California's Earthquake Brace and Bolt grant program will open on October 27th! The Brace and Bolt grant program helps homeowners protect their homes against earthquake damage, with grants up to $3,000.

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, Help Is Here! Make sure you get your Rescue Plan benefits today.

Keeping Ahead of COVID in San Francisco
The FDA has authorized a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines for eligible populations. As we continue to fight the pandemic, you can get vaccinated and continue to take precautions to keep you and your loved ones safe. Find out where your local free vaccination sites are here, as well as at select SFUSD schools. Learn about free testing options in San Francisco here. California also announced a digital vaccination portal which can be accessed here.

San Francisco State University is offering 10 scholarships to fully fund four years of tuition to the University through the SF State Vaccine Scholarship Program. San Francisco residents ages 12 to 17 who receive the COVID-19 vaccine and register at participating vaccination locations in the city.

Flu season is here. The San Francisco Department of Public Health strongly recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu vaccine to safeguard their health, with the start of a flu season that overlaps with COVID-19 this year.