By Alex Teerlinck
Earlier this month, H.R. 1 was brought to the House Floor. Seeking to expand voter participation, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and implement long-term anti-corruption measures, the reform measure would counter GOP efforts of voter disenfranchisement. Voting rights and a democracy free of big money influence are essential to the promotion of individual participation in the political process. All Americans deserve to have their voices heard by a government that works for them, not for big money donors. On March 1st, the same day that H.R. 1 was introduced, former Bernie Sanders staffers launched a new project: Un-PAC. As H.R. 1 has yet to be passed, Un-PAC’s efforts to mobilize young Americans to push for sweeping Democracy reform grows more important by the day.
Why young voters? Facing student debt, impacts of climate change, systemic racism, and unaffordable healthcare, many students can agree that Congress hasn’t worked for them. With the organization’s leaders trained under the Students for Bernie program, Un-PAC will expand its scope to college campuses in all 50 states, organizing independent, moderate, and conservative students as well. Currently in the process of hiring over 100 student organizers nationwide, Un-PAC’s student leaders will organize campuses and communities alike in the common goal of democracy reform.
To connect Un-PAC’s mission to GW’s campus and to encourage you all to take initiative towards fixing our democracy, I reached out to Shana Gallagher, the executive director of Un-PAC.
How can GW students get involved?
Un-PAC’s mission is no less than to fix our democracy and save the world. Solutions to ALL of the problems our generation cares about — climate change, access to healthcare and education, systemic racism, you name it — will be blocked until we can fix our broken democracy. Passing the For The People Act will do that!
Please sign our pledge at Un-PAC.org to let your Senator know that you want them to pass the For The People Act now. Your signature will be delivered to your Senator by our organizers, and we’ll follow up with you to help you get more involved if you sign up to volunteer!
This is an all hands on deck moment, and we can’t fix our broken democracy and ensure a future to look forward to for our generation without your help. Join us at the website mentioned above!
