After Sen. Sanders introduced his Election Holiday legislation, what did he do to pass it?

[brooklynite]

This might be a good measure of what he'll do as President to get his ambitious agenda passed.

Did he call on his supporters to pressure their legislators?

Did he try to cut deals with Republicans to build support?

Did he make speeches to bring the issue to the public's attention?

[daleanime]

1. Because we all know....

congress is just waiting to approve anything Hillary asks for......

[Thinkingabout]

2. This is an important factor of working with other congressional members in order to get

bills passed. Makes you wonder what was happening.

[think]

3. What did the other Democrats do? Do they support the idea or are they opposed?

What are their ideas to increase voter turnout? Are they implementing any plans or their own?

Why haven't I heard of any other plans by Democrats to make Election day a holiday?

[Empowerer]

6. Other Democrats have done quite a bit - and have actually gotten bills passed

For example, Bill Clinton signed the Motor Voter bill in 1993 (since Hillary's getting blamed for his legislation, she might as well get credit for it, as well). In 2006, the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed the Voting Rights Act extension. In recent years, Democrats and some Republicans have been fighting to update the Voting Rights Act in response to the Supreme Court's evisceration of the law in Shelby.

In addition, Democrats have been trying to make Election Day a holiday for years. Hillary Clinton first co-sponsored legislation to do this about 11 years ago. I'm not sure why you haven't heard about this. Did you check?

[think]

10. We're talking bout NOW. Not 10 years ago. We still have Democrats in office don't we?

[Empowerer]

12. I noted this bill was first introduced 10 years ago because you asked what other Democrats had done

to try to make Election Day a Federal holiday and folks were bragging today about Bernie introducing an identical bill last summer as if he was the first person to have thought of this and had done something unique and special.

But I'm not going to do your research for you. You can research this for yourself at www.thomas.gov, among other places.

[think]

15. I already know about the other bill and Bernie supported it. But this is NOW. The need is STILL

there. So spare me your condescension. I've done my homework.

[99th_Monkey]

4. You Mean Bernie hasn't "delivered" yet? What a fucking slacker!!

He's only come from NO. FUCKING. WHERE. to tie Hillary in Iowa,
and trounce Hillary by 22% in NH .. and he's on a roll.

He's steadily documenting his plans for America in proposed US Senate
Bills, so he record is clear and open to scrutiny.

He's also a sitting US Senator who's tending to that business as well.

Oh .. and yes .. he's running for President of the United States, which
takes a modest about of ones time as well.

If you are so "eager" to see the Revolution happen ASAP, why not go
to berniesanders.com and sign up.. you'd be most welcome I'm sure.

[jfern]

8. President Bernie Sanders should have solved all our problems within

negative one years of being sworn in as President!

[99th_Monkey]

11. How dare Bernie break our hearts like this!!!!!!!!!!! nt

[kstewart33]

9. About those Senate bills.

25 years in Congress, primary sponsor of 3 passed bills with 2 each naming a Vermont post office. The 3rd bill did help veterans with COLA.

You can propose hundreds of bills. The only thing that matters is actually getting a bill passed. Leadership gets a bill passed.

Bernie is not doing so well on that score.

[99th_Monkey]

13. Bills by a US Senator charts a path

take it or leave it.. but he's on record where he stands ..
solidly with the "little people"who are fed up with being
screwed over by Hillary's Masters of the Universe, and
are just beginning to wake up and smell the Bern..
and they love it.

[RBInMaine]

45. Hyperbolic nonsense. Your revolutionaries will go home and eat their poptarts before doing any real

political action.

[RBInMaine]

32. He's had 25 years in public life to form a REAL movement? Where was it???????

[uponit7771]

56. Seeing national black millineals are 40% + for Hillary it sounds like Sanders movement is of

... the current establishment in the DNC and not the marginalized (HRC leads with blacks, women, Hispanics, LGBT and non white poor) which is the heighth of irony

[RBInMaine]

42. In other words, you're making excuses for the revolution that can't get anything done.

diversions and excuses, diversions and excuses, diversions and excuses

When it's time to walk the walk and not just talk the talk, lots of Bernie folks FOLD. There's a little more to it than going to rallies to hear pie in the sky feel good promises.

[uponit7771]

55. We're not talking about his campaign we're talking about his resume which it seems everytime someone

... brings it up there's deflection no?

tia

[Live and Learn]

5. LOL. He has made speeches to bring it to the public's attention.

You just aren't paying attention.

[Empowerer]

7. Links?

[Live and Learn]

16. It has been part of his campaign. Duh, look it up yourself. These memes are so tiring. nt

[RBInMaine]

34. But but but where is the revolution to actually get it passed???

[Jarqui]

14. He's previously submitted this bill and I think again prior to 2014

His submissions of this idea may go back to when he was in the House.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s2918

He submitted this bill again in Aug 2015
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s1969

Prognosis Details

This bill has a . . .
1% chance of getting past committee.
0% chance of being enacted.

Only 15% of bills made it past committee and only about 3% were enacted in 2013–2015.

Factors considered:
The bill was referred to Senate Judiciary.
This bill was a re-introduction of S. 2918 (113th) from the previous session of Congress.
The sponsor is a member of the minority party.

Senate record of receipt of the bill
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d114:s1969:

S.1969
Latest Title: Democracy Day Act of 2015
Sponsor: Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 8/5/2015) Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 8/5/2015 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

He issued a press release for the two bills he submitted
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-marks-voting-rights-act-anniversary-introduces-legislation-to-increase-voter-turnout

He posted an article about it on his blog
https://berniesanders.com/the-fight-for-voting-rights-is-our-fight-today/

He wrote an article about it for the Huffington Post
The Fight for Voting Rights Is Our Fight Today
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bernie-sanders/the-fight-for-voting-righ_b_7942850.html

He called or did a press conference and presented his two bills

Put it on twitter with a 4 minute video to promote it
https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/629696676786143232

And Facebook with a 4 minute video to promote it
https://www.facebook.com/berniesanders/videos/vb.124955570892789/878736432181362/?type=2&theater

He got some press - two examples:
Sanders: Make Election Day a holiday
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/250784-sanders-want-to-make-election-day-a-holiday

Sanders, King mark 50 years of Voting Rights Act but say poor minorities still disenfranchised
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/6/bernie-sanders-martin-luther-king-iii-say-voting-r/?page=all

[RBInMaine]

35. So in other words, his revolution is now meeting POLITICAL REALITY.

[Jarqui]

48. Nope. It's demonstrating the current state of affairs in the current

government. That's all. GOP controls both chambers.

After November, when there's a good chance the senate will be blue, maybe they can get the it through the house.

It very well might have to wait until 2018

[Rilgin]

17. If it goes nowhere it is better than Hillary introducing legislation to criminalize flag burning (NT

Of course you know that the republicans will not pass it. We agree with that. However, introducing it adds it to the debate which will play out over the next election cycles. You pin people into what they are for and against and tell your base what your goals are and what is possible. Are you against expanded and easier voting or is that too much democracy for you?

Does Hillary support the concept to open voting so that working people can vote? Or is it too big a step? If she triangulates, she can introduce a bill that requires polls to stay open an extra 5 minutes, that should satisfy your request for incremental meaningless "progress"

Do you support criminalizing Flag Burning btw?

[RBInMaine]

39. In other words you don't have much faith in your revolution that is supposed to get things passed.

Surely the great revolution can at least get this passed.

[Rilgin]

46. OOOh. Good use of todays meme

I do not expect immediate answers. However, unlike you I know that pretending that problems can be fixed by tiny little patches will not fix anything. You do know that if you are heading for a cliff, slowing down does not stop you from going over, it just delays it a little.

BTW, did Hillary get the Flag Burning Bill she introduced passed? Guess she can not even get a pander bill passed to use your words. However, she is a reliable vote for most wars and will argue for most regime changes of which none have worked out.

And has voted with Republicans against a single purpose ban on the use of Cluster Munitions in civilian areas. Cluster Munitions which most of the world agrees should not be used because they stay in place and hurt civilian women and children long after the bomb was dropped. This is what you would vote for... a senator who would vote against a ban on the use of these weapons.

[jmowreader]

18. Anyone who wants to increase voting with a holiday needs to do more than a mere bill

The Constitution's got to be amended to change Election Day to a full week, so everyone gets a chance to get to the polls.

[Hekate]

19. Inquiring minds want to know. We need this info to make an informed decision.

Yes we do.

[aspirant]

20. So have you inquired to the Hills campaign,

is she supporting or opposing it?

[Hekate]

21. HRC has been a national figure for 25+years. We're just getting to know Sanders.

That's the issue -- we are all playing catch-up as far as he's concerned. Sothe more info on him the better!

[aspirant]

22. Is she supporting or opposing it, inquiring minds want to know?

[bigtree]

44. 2005 - Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday

Sen. Clinton pushes voting holiday, allowing ex-cons to vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a federal holiday to encourage voting.

She also pushed for legislation that would allow all ex-felons to vote.

Standing with Massachusetts Sen. Kerry and other Democrats who had alleged voting irregularities in the 2004 contest, Clinton said, "Once again we had a federal election that demonstrates we have a long way to go."

"I think it's also necessary to make sure our elections meet the highest national standards," said the New York senator.

She and Kerry, both considered contenders for the 2008 nomination, were joined by Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who forced a highly unusual House and Senate debate Jan. 6 on the presidential election results.

Clinton echoed those comments, though her senatorial re-election committee, Friends of Hillary, is pushing the bill hard.

Visitors to the group's Web site are greeted first with a full-page form asking people to endorse the Count Every Vote Act.

"My Web site has information about everything I work on. This is one of my biggest priorities and obviously I hope that people who share our goal of making sure every vote counts will support us," said Clinton.

In addition to creating a federal holiday for voting, the bill would:

• Require paper receipts for votes.

• Authorize $500 million to help states make the changes in voting systems and equipment.

• Allow ex-felons to vote. Currently an estimated 4.7 million Americans are barred from voting because of their criminal records.

• Require adoption of the changes in time for the 2006 election.


http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-02-17-clinton-vote_x.htm

[Hekate]

49. The excitement MOUNTS! Did Sen Sanders support Sen Clinton's bill in 2005?!? It's like tennis!

My heart goes pitty-pat!

[Skwmom]

23. He is busy running for President. n/t

[Empowerer]

24. Being President is a full-time job that requires focusing on several things at one time

If he can't find the time to even mention his own bill, much less do a thing to get it passed, he's going to have a really rough time trying to firce through Wall Street reform and Single Payer while trying to manage an economy and a war and all of the other things a President is responsible for.

Sorry, but the "he had time to introduce legislation in the middle of a campaign but now doesn't have time to do anything to get it passed because he's running for President" argument is pure bull.

[Skwmom]

28. He is focusing on many things running as a candidate (as he will when he is President). n/t

[Empowerer]

37. But he's too busy to focus on an issue that will affect this country for the next generation

Got it.

[RBInMaine]

30. I thought he was running a revolution? Where is it?

[Nanjeanne]

25. It's in committee

where it will languish. 15% of bills make it out of committee and 3% of those are enacted.

With Republicans in charge of both Senate and House and no President using his bully pulpit for enactment, it will languish. Same place most of Clinton's bills went to die in the 8 years she was in Senate.

So your point is? It's hard. I know I get it. But Bernie keeps trying and maybe with national attention, more things will get noticed. He is reaching people in a way to hey haven't been reached before. I'm behind that. The alternative of do nothing doesn't inspire me.

[RBInMaine]

31. Oh, but, but, but where is the revolution that is supposed to make his agenda happen????

[Nanjeanne]

43. Is this a real question? Surely it's a joke right.

You must know how politics work right?

This revolution that Bernie is inspiring? I means bringing people into our democracy. People that haven't been involved or cared or felt had a chance. They exist although the "establishment" candidates have forgotten that they do - or only notice them when they need to secure their vote for their election so they can ignore them again.

I don't know how your politics work - but I'm supporting people who will actually make a difference in Congress. Right now - in case you don't know . . . the midterm elections changed the make-up of the two houses. That's because ONLY progressive candidates won their races. All those middle of the road, Blue dog, Rep lite Democrats lost.

Sanders supporters are looking to change politics as usual. Sorry it's not happening on your time-line. I hope it will happen on mine. But I KNOW it will happen only if we try.

[pangaia]

52. You're wasting your time.

RBI just pisses on everything Bernie.

[Nanjeanne]

57. Yeah. I'm seeing a pattern! And it's one of those predictable ones! Thanks.

[2pooped2pop]

26. After Hillary said she would look into releasing those transcripts, what did she actually do

To get that done? See how easy this game is?

[CBGLuthier]

27. You mean like Hillarity's anti flag desecration bill. Did she fight hard for that meaningless

gesture? 100,000 dollar fine her fucking highness would have levied against protesters.

[RBInMaine]

29. Yup. Where are the revolutionaries when you need them??????

[Bonobo]

33. When did Obama's "Yes We Can" became "Yes He Must"? nt

[Hekate]

53. Obama? The day after his Inauguration the shift on DU was complete to "HE swore HE'D do it ALL."

I was right here. That particular shift in consciousness at DU was certainly complete before he was rightly outed as nuttin' but a POSUCS.

But hey, just because Obama had those throngs cheering him on BEFORE he was elected didn't mean they were going to get off their asses and work for him to change Congress. Silly wabbit. That was his job.

But THIS time is DIFFERENT. I can scarcely wait.

[NCTraveler]

36. Maybe his colleagues who care about these issues...

Weren't as willing to open their doors after Sanders recently voted yeah for the extreme right wing "audit the fed" bill.

[NurseJackie]

41. Do they not like him personally, or do the not like the bills?

It's difficult to tell. Very confusing.

[SidDithers]

38. But what about Hillary!!!?!?!!11?.....

Sid

[Kip Humphrey]

40. He ran for president?

[jillan]

47. Since Mitch McConnell is the leader of the Senate

Since Mitch McConnell is the leader of the Senate what do you think the answer is ? Ffs we can barely get a budget passed these days. Or even a Scotus nominee

[Empowerer]

50. BernieSoPowerless

[earthside]

51. More Hillarian negativity.

'Better to do nothing at all' is apparently their credo.

From the campaign of "realistic pragmatism" ... also known as conservatism.

[uponit7771]

54. REVOLUTION DAMMIT!!!! /sarcasm