In the wake of the failed attempts in the Senate to eliminate the filibuster and push through a federalized new voting package, the list of Democratic Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin critics grows.
Now Iowa Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer calls them sellouts in her latest fundraiser/outreach message.
“I am shocked by the absolute absurdity of Sens. Sinema, Manchin and the entire GOP. They talk about the filibuster as if it’s some tool of civility or compromise when the GOP is actively exploiting it to block legislation that would protect our most fundamental, cherished right – the right to vote.
“Let’s be honest with ourselves here: The Senate is broken.”
Finkenauer will face Sen. Chuck Grassley, now 88, in 2022 for the Iowa Senate seat. Grassley has been a consistent presence in the Senate, famously not ever missing a vote from 1993 to 2016.
She’s attempting to move over from the House to Senate after voting in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi 94% of the time and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 90% of the time, according to Propublica.
Full letter/email text:
Friend: this past Wednesday night, Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin joined with every Republican senator – including my opponent, Chuck Grassley – in opposing filibuster reform to pass critical voting rights legislation. To put it mildly, I have some thoughts on that.
I am shocked by the absolute absurdity of Sens. Sinema, Manchin and the entire GOP. They talk about the filibuster as if it’s some tool of civility or compromise when the GOP is actively exploiting it to block legislation that would protect our most fundamental, cherished right – the right to vote.
Let’s be honest with ourselves here: The Senate is broken. When I served in the House, I watched as countless bipartisan bills that would move our country forward died in McConnell’s Senate time and time again. Now, Democrats technically have control, but two senators used their powers to join Republicans in obstructing policies that the vast majority of Americans support.
I won’t mince words, I don’t know what compelled Sens. Sinema and Manchin to serve in Congress, but I do know that they refuse to do anything – anything at all – for working families like the one that I grew up in. I don’t know if they forgot where they came from or who they’re there to fight for.
But I do know that I’m done with having our entire Democratic agenda rest in the hands of two people. It’s time that we expand our Senate majority. Now, with Sen. Grassley facing record-low approval ratings, we’ve got a real chance to do it right here in Iowa.
Friend, you have my word: Send me to the Senate, and I will be the 50th vote we need to reform the filibuster. I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect voting rights, raise the federal minimum wage, and pass the PRO Act to strengthen workers’ rights and our unions.
I’m doing everything within my power to defeat Sen. Grassley and move our country forward, I just need you with me. So please, can you donate $5 right now to defeat Sen. Grassley, expand our Senate majority, and pass critical legislation to move our country forward?
I know days like this can be frustrating and hard. So thank you so much for standing with me and fighting today.
– Abby
1 Comment