AMSA Call to Action to Protect Our Democracy
Dispel the Jan. 6 “Big Lie” & Pass The Freedom to Vote Act Now!
Today marks one year since our nation’s Capital and our Congress were attacked by violent protestors incited by outgoing President Trump and his enablers in an attempt to undermine the election of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States. The violence and desecration they perpetrated extended far beyond the damage to buildings – the January 6th insurrection represents an assault on the heart of our democracy. Free and fair elections, along with peaceful transitions of power, are the cornerstones of our democracy.
AMSA believes a healthy and functioning democracy is an essential pillar for a healthcare system to meet the needs of a nation’s people. We recognize the fear mongering and discord has been in the making for years. We also recognize that our democracy continues to be tested by those who sought personal gain over democratic principles, culminating in the insurrection we bore witness to on January 6 of last year despite volumes of evidence that our 2020 election was “the most secure in U.S. History.”
Since the insurrection, we have seen Republican lawmakers across the country actively work to dismantle the very core of our country. On New Year’s Day, the New York Times Editorial Board wrote:
“Over the past year, Republican lawmakers in 41 states have been trying to advance the goals of the Jan. 6 rioters — not by breaking laws but by making them. Hundreds of bills have been proposed and nearly three dozen laws have been passed that empower state legislatures to sabotage their own elections and overturn the will of their voters, according to a running tally by a nonpartisan consortium of pro-democracy organizations.”
On Wednesday, former President Carter weighed in with alarm writing “promoters of the lie that the election was stolen have taken over one political party and stoked distrust in our electoral systems. These forces exert power and influence through relentless disinformation, which continues to turn Americans against Americans.”
President Carter continued, “I now fear that what we have fought so hard to achieve globally — the right to free, fair elections, unhindered by strongman politicians who seek nothing more than to grow their own power — has become dangerously fragile at home.”
At AMSA, we take seriously the notion that physicians and future physicians have an essential role in the social mission of medicine: not only to help individuals who seek our care, but also to advocate and work for socio-political, economic, and cultural transformation that provides the conditions necessary for people to thrive, not just survive.
As the next generation of physicians, advocates of our patients, servants of our communities, and caretakers of the health and the well-being of our nation, we acknowledge that the road to progress and recovery is long – but it must begin now with passage of The Freedom to Vote Act (S.2747).
The Freedom to Vote Act:
- Makes Election Day a National Holiday
- Bans Partisan Redistricting Gerrymandering
- Expands Mail-in & Early Voting in All 50 States
- Requires All States Offer Same-day Voter Registration
- Combats Secret “Dark” Money & Election Interference
- Sets National Standards & Protects the Freedom to Vote for All Americans
Learn more: Brennan Center for Justice Fact Sheet
The U.S. House of Representatives passed voting rights legislation in March 2021. AMSA calls on the U.S. Senate to take swift action to pass the The Freedom to Vote Act without delay.
Fair and Free elections are vital to our democracy. It is our strong hope that, despite declared opposition to The Freedom to Vote Act, our Republican Senators will denounce Donald Trump’s “Big Lie” and join with the 50 Democratic Senate co-sponsors of this historic legislation and vote YES. However, should their opposition remain AMSA fully supports Majority Leader Schumer’s call to open debate and “consider changes to Senate rules on or before January 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to protect the foundation of our democracy: free and fair elections.”
Medical students can and must stand up for our democracy now. We’ve had enough of the corruption, corporate influence, and unethical behaviors from our elected officials. We must return the power to the people.
Join AMSA in Action to Protect the Health of Our Democracy
Call Your U.S. Senators Today – Pass The Freedom to Vote Act Now!
Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121 – Don’t delay, voicemail can be left 24/7
Find your U.S. Senators here
along with their direct DC office phone numbers & official webpages
Find tips when calling Congress and a short call script here
AMSA Take Action: Call Senators – Vote Yes on Freedom to Vote Act!
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About the American Medical Student Association:
AMSA is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing physicians-in-training, advocating for quality and affordable health care for all, and building the next generation of physician leaders. To join our community, visit amsa.org.
