We’re only four days into the new year, yet tomorrow will be one of the most important days of 2021.
With control of the U.S. Senate hinging on the Georgia special election, the results of these two races will determine whether President-elect Biden can enact the progress agenda our nation so desperately needs—with public education, and otherwise.
A victory by Rev. Raphael Warnock and John Ossoff could be transformational for the future of our nation, and for our students.
For instance, President-elect Biden’s campaign promises of debt-free college and student loan relief are even more critical now to ensure that the financial barriers of the pandemic do not prohibit millions of Americans from pursing an advanced degree that will help them access greater economic opportunity.
Alignment between Congress and the White House could increase the likelihood of passing other critical legislation to support improvements in teacher preparation, like Senator Booker’s (D-NJ) “STRIVE Act” that would make the teacher loan forgiveness program more generous, less backloaded, and better targeted to high-need schools, subjects, and specialty areas, and Sens. Hassan (D-NH) and Young’s (R-IN) “Fast Track to and Through College Act” that would facilitate dual enrollment programs and speed time-to-degree.
And that’s just within education. There are so many critical issues on the ballot.
A Democratic Congress could fundamentally improve how government works by expanding voting rights for communities of color—the very ones leaders like Stacey Abrams have been working hard for in Georgia—by passing the Lewis Voting Rights Amendment to combat voter suppression.
They could protect the Affordable Care Act, which has provided health insurance to 23 million Americans, including for children and young adults under the age of 26, or push through critical gun safety legislation.
Without Democratic control of the White House and Senate, we’ll continue to see the type of stalemate made famous by McConnell during the Obama administration, leading to a government that fights more with itself than for the people.
It doesn’t matter whether you live in Georgia; the results on January 5th will come with significant consequences for all of us.
If you do live in Georgia, be sure to vote. There’s still time to volunteer to help get the vote out in this critical, final day.
We believe in the Democratic vision for America—one of equity, opportunity, and security for all. We believe that if we show up for one another, we can build a country that serves everyone, especially those most overlooked and historically underserved. But we must start with each and every one of us doing our part. When we all vote, we all win.