New York: Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer

CHARLES E.
SCHUMER Majority Leader

NEW YORK
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-3203
December 20, 2021
Dear Colleague,
As we reflect on the first session of the 117th Congress, a session which began with Republicans
in the majority but quickly switched to Democratic control by the slimmest of margins and has
become the longest 50-50 Senate in history, we should be proud of our accomplishments. We
should also be determined to finish the work that remains undone. We passed the American
Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, historic pieces of legislation signed
by President Biden and overwhelmingly supported by the American people. President Biden has
nominated and the Senate has confirmed the most diverse class of federal judges in history, at a
rate not seen since President Reagan. And the economy is creating jobs and raising wages at
levels not seen in years.
But this session has also led to moments of deep discontent and frustration. That frustration was
evident in the past week as nearly all of us were disappointed by the decision to delay floor
consideration of the Build Back Better Act because Senator Manchin could not come to an
agreement with the president. However, neither that delay, nor other recent pronouncements, will
deter us from continuing to try to find a way forward. We simply cannot give up. We must and
we will keep fighting to deliver for working families. Today, I would ask each of you to consider
some of the following facts:
 More than one-in-four American adults did not take a prescribed medication in the past
year because of its cost, whether that is life-saving insulin that may cost them hundreds of
dollars each month or cancer medications that can be thousands upon thousands of
dollars for a course of treatment. Seniors and taxpayers lose billions of dollars per year
because Medicare cannot negotiate drug prices.
 The bipartisan Child Tax Credit we expanded in the Rescue Plan, that is preventing
millions of children from going hungry or homeless, expired last week.
 Our planet is warming so fast that extreme weather disasters are now commonplace in
America and across the world.
 We have lost at least 3 million workers since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many of
them women leaving the workforce due to the lack of accessible affordable child care.
These are just some of the major issues the Build Back Better Act would immediately
address. We were elected to address these many needs and we will not stop fighting until we do.
Therefore, Senators should be aware that the Senate will, in fact, consider the Build Back Better
Act, very early in the new year so that every Member of this body has the opportunity to make
their position known on the Senate floor, not just on television. We are going to vote on a
revised version of the House-passed Build Back Better Act – and we will keep voting on it until
we get something done.
Additionally, please be advised that shortly after the 117th Congress resumes in January, the
Senate will consider voting rights legislation, as early as the first week back. Previous attempts
to simply debate such legislation have been obstructed by Republican filibusters, effectively
defending the voter suppression and election nullification laws passed by so many Republican
state legislatures on party lines with simple majorities. We all agree that the right to vote is the
cornerstone of our democracy. With that in mind, I would ask you to consider this question: if
the right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, then how can we in good conscience allow
for a situation in which the Republican Party can debate and pass voter suppression laws at the
State level with only a simple majority vote, but not allow the United States Senate to do the
same? If Senate Republicans continue to abuse the filibuster and prevent the body from
considering this bill, the Senate will then consider changes to any rules which prevent us from
debating and reaching final conclusion on important legislation.
Members on both sides have spent years bemoaning Senate gridlock, yearning for the Senate to
operate as it once did – with Members participating, legislating, debating, publicly choosing a
side. That is how the Senate worked before rules were weaponized to allow a minority of
Senators to prevent the body from mere consideration of legislation.
The American people also decry this deadlock. I believe our constituents deserve to know which
Senators choose to hide behind ill-conceived and abused rules and which Senators prefer to
restore Senate floor procedures to better align with the Founders’ intentions. As Former Senator
Robert C. Byrd said in 1979, Senate rules that seemed appropriate in the past “must be changed
to reflect changed circumstances.” Therefore, as with the BBB, Members will be given the
chance to debate on the Senate floor and cast a vote so that their choice on this matter is clear
and available for everyone to see.
To further discuss these critical issues, we will hold a virtual Special Caucus on the evening
of Tuesday, December 21, the longest night of the year.
Finally, I want to thank you for your patience and dedication over this past session. We have
accomplished much but we have much yet to do.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

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CHARLES E.

SCHUMER Majority Leader

December 20, 2021

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