2021 has started with a flurry of activity and news – some exciting, some frightening. The emergence of new variants of COVID-19 and the insurrection have consumed our attention, but new emphasis on vaccination, social justice, and environment awareness are heartening. As we send our condolences to the families of the five persons who lost their lives, two officers who have committed suicide and 140 other officers who were seriously injured due to the insurrection, we stand by our position to hold the former president accountable in his role in inciting the insurrection and deny him any opportunity to again hold federal office. We will continue to follow the ongoing investigations and wait to evaluate the facts before calling for further resignations or specific actions.
Let us remember and continue to remind America that the 2020 election was a fair and secure election. This is a FACT to be celebrated by all and to be proudly touted by LWV because of the important part we played in making it so. This FACT has been confirmed in all courts, election offices, and communities across this country. Moreover, we must acknowledge the attempt to overturn the will of the majority of the American people was a clear attempt to disenfranchise millions of votes – many of those votes in communities with large numbers of voters of color. Social injustice and racial animus continue to hamper America’s efforts to form a more perfect union, but it can be done, and the League will and should be a part of that effort.
As we keep our eye on the ongoing developments, we turn with delight to the change being generated in Washington. We are officially one week into the new administration, and I am excited to see movement on some of our priority issues. In the legislature, the For the People Act (H.R. 1) has been introduced in the House, and yesterday, the Senate introduced the D.C. Statehood bill (S. 51). The League has worked diligently to advance these pieces of legislation, and we hope to see them enacted in the months ahead.
On an issue dear to my heart, and in support of the League priority to work toward providing fair and equitable medical care to all in our country, I awoke this morning to the announcement that a special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act opened, allowing millions who have lost resources during this pandemic to have the opportunity to acquire access to the health care system that they have been denied.
Finally, an important League reminder – the roster management deadline is approaching in a few days. Please be sure to update your rosters by January 31, 2021, so that we can record how the League has grown, have accurate access to who is in leadership roles, and verify the past year to generate your League’s Per Member Payment (PMP). Log in to the roster portal today and update your League’s roster if you have not already.
Winter is still upon us, so those of you who are under storm warnings, please stay safe and listen to your weather alerts. And those of you who are enjoying balmy weather, remember the virus has no respect of weather or person, so continue all precautions. Thanks for your dedication to democracy! Stay safe and wear a mask.
To continue reading, please click here for the full update.
For additional January updates, please use the following links:
