A broad array of advocacy groups rallied at the Capitol this afternoon in a bid to boost momentum and public awareness for HR 1, the designation for the wide-ranging political system overhaul being advanced by the new House Democratic majority.
The dozen organizations are part of a coalition of 125 groups dubbed the Declaration for American Democracy, formed last year to promote the legislation. Virtually all the organizations, however, are affiliated with progressive and liberal causes – underscoring how the bill is being positioned more as a behemoth political messaging vehicle than as a measure that might make it through a divided Congress.
The groups asserted a shared commitment for mobilizing their networks to build support for the measure. But, while the bill seems foreordained to move through the House on a party line vote this winter, the grassroots on the left show no signs they're going to build a groundswell of support in the Republican Senate.
Stanley Borden of Duke University presents his project at the Engaged Athlete Forum.Kristina Becvar