Small Businesses Demand that Fight for Voting Rights Must Continue
January 20, 2022
In response to the Senate’s failure to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act today, Main Street Alliance Co-Executive Director Chanda Causer had this to say:
“Main Street Alliance and our small business members are frustrated and disappointed by the Senate’s failure to advance the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. Failing to pass voting rights legislation that protects our democracy directly threatens our economy. The continued blocking, at every turn, does not provide small businesses confidence in the state of our democracy or local economy. The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act aims to achieve goals that have long had strong bipartisan support. These include prohibiting gerrymandering, and increasing disclosure of money spent in federal elections, which are particularly important to small businesses - ignored over excessive corporate influence...”
Ahead of Biden's Speech, Leading Small Business Organizations Call on Lawmakers to Consider Rule Change to Make Senate Work Better and to Pass Voting Rights Legislation
January 11, 2022
Representing more than 500,000 small businesses and entrepreneurs, American Sustainable Business Network, Main Street Alliance, Small Business Majority, and Small Business for America's Future hold event to spotlight the role of voting rights in American democracy
Leading Small Business Organizations Call for Filibuster Carveout to Start Debate on the Freedom to Vote Act
“As a Black woman growing up in the south, I understand the power of the vote! Small business voices are critical and must be protected,” said Chanda Causer, Co-Executive Director of Main Street Alliance. “The Freedom to Vote Act reflects our shared values as Americans, but politics have once again blocked even having a debate on the bill. We need lasting, structural change to reassure small businesses that our democracy is healthy so that we can get to the business of resilient economic recovery. The Senate must do whatever it takes to pass the Freedom to Vote Act.”
Leading Small Business Organizations Join Rep. James E. Clyburn in a Call to Protect Voting Rights
September 9, 2021
Small business owners and community organizations participated in a special event with House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn on September 8, 2021, to push back against the laws suppressing Americans' voting rights across the country.
Representatives from Main Street Alliance, Small Business Majority, American Sustainable Business Council, and leading experts in voting rights laws and the legislative process engaged in a discussion on why voting rights are essential to democracy and entrepreneurship.
Small Biz Applaud Passage of John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
August 24, 2021
Along with the John Lewis VRAA, the democracy reforms in the For the People Act (H.R. 1 / S. 1) are necessary to make real progress on issues that small businesses care about, from health care to racial justice. Small donor matching, modeled after successful systems in cities and states across the country, will reduce the influence of special interests and empower regular Americans to have a meaningful voice in their democracy. What’s more, small donor financing is fully paid for by penalties levied on corporate lawbreakers and wealthy tax cheats - the same powerful interests who have used their lobbying to get around paying their fair share for decades.
Small Biz Applaud Senate Introduction of For the People Act (S.1)
“The Senate has taken the next important step in supporting our democracy, and must move swiftly to pass them. The democracy reforms in the For the People Act are necessary to make real progress on issues that small businesses care about, from health care to racial justice. Small donor matching, modeled after successful systems in cities and states across the country, will reduce the influence of special interests and empower regular Americans to have a meaningful voice in their democracy. What’s more, small donor financing is fully paid for by penalties levied on corporate lawbreakers and wealthy tax cheats - the same powerful interests who have used their lobbying to get around paying their fair share for decades.