One year ago, we witnessed an attack on our country: an insurrection by political extremists at the U.S. Capitol.

A mob of violent rioters defaced the Capitol Building and threatened the lives of the elected officials and staff working there–the core of American democracy. This was a pivotal moment for America and our fundamental promise of free and fair elections.

One year out from that horrible day, Congress has yet to secure the right to vote and the integrity of our elections–while state and county governments are passing laws to make it harder to vote. Hours-long lines and oppressive ID requirements are only the beginning, unless Congress acts.

The Senate must pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; both bills are essential to the survival of the American experiment. The House of Representatives has already passed them. We can’t let made-up Senate rules stand in the way of protecting our democracy.

Fighting for our democracy by passing voting rights legislation is one of the most important actions we can take as we commemorate this attack on our country.

This is important because we are seeing in Michigan Republicans who are trying to make it hard to vote and putting in place people who are willing to not certify our election results. Michiganders voted in 2018 overwhelmingly to pass Proposition 3 to make it easier for Michiganders to vote. We have our Federal Representative Jack Bergman who will still not say the election of 2020 was free and fair. Our Democratic Republic is in danger!

MARY O’NEILL,

Presque Isle