Good morning! Happy Tuesday!
It really is sort of happy—by todays’ standards, anyway. Bannon is charged (thank you, Merrick Garland!), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is law, Beto is running for Texas Governor, Michelle Wu just got sworn in, and my kid got their second COVID shot yesterday. I almost have to pinch myself. In an era where good news is in short supply, this feels like a more-than-decent start to the week.
(Speaking of the Bannon indictment, I’ve started listening to a podcast by a few former Justice Department folks called Talking Feds. The newest episode, which goes into detail about why the Bannon news is huge, sparks quite a bit of joy.)
Now some answers to reader questions I got yesterday:
One subscriber asked if they have to stick to my scripts word for word. The answer is no! I offer scripts for those who wish to be told exactly what to say, but for those of you who feel capable of doing so and desire to, by all means put them into your own words. I do! The most important details are the name of the bill, (or resolution, or amendment) that you’re calling about, and your position on it. The rest is optional.
Another reader asked whether calls or letters are more effective. I told her that calls are generally given a bit more weight. A good rule of thumb is, when it comes to contacting our reps, the more “uncomfortable” it is, the more effective. So office visits and Town Halls are the gold standard, phone calls are next, emails and Resistbots are below that, social media posts are next, and petitions are down at the very bottom.
Hope that helps! Always feel free to send me questions—I get new subscribers every day, so it’s good to be reminded of the FAQs, as it were, and post answers to them for everyone.
OK, dear herd of wonderfuls. Thank you for all you do. Hope is an action, indeed. And your actions give me hope.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I want the Senator to vote to pass the Build Back Better plan as soon as it passes in the House. I support every provision in it, but I want to make special mention of the cap on the price of insulin and the provision allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Those are really important to me. I also strongly support the investments in clean energy, so that we can avert total climate catastrophe.
One more thing: Congress must pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This is a five alarm fire for our democracy. [optional add] Every American deserves the freedom to vote. Every American deserves to have their vote counted. Every American deserves to pick their representatives, not have their representatives pick them through partisan gerrymandering. Please get this done. [If Democrat add:] Abolish the filibuster if necessary. It’s worth it. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I want the House to pass the Build Back Better Act this week. I support every provision in it, but I want to make special mention of the cap on the price of insulin and the provision allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Those are really important to me. I also strongly support the investments in clean energy. Nothing is more important than passing this legislation now to avert total climate catastrophe.
Second, I know that Rep. John Larson just released an updated version of his bill to expand Social Security: The Social Security 2100 Act, HR 1902. Is the Congressmember a co-sponsor? I would like him/her to be.
Extra Credit
Please make a quick call and ask that the Biden administration (currently in the midst of a Nuclear Posture Review) adopt a policy of No First Use -- meaning, the US will not be the first to fire a nuclear weapon. Biden is on our side. Let's help him do this thing he wants to do.
The White House comment line is open 11:00AM-3:00PM Eastern Standard Time Tuesday through Thursday. The number is 202-456-1111
The message is: "As he conducts his Nuclear Posture Review, please ask the President to adopt a policy of No First Use. Thank you."
You can also send this as a Resistbot by texting SIGN PLUYUQ to 50409.
Compared to carving up the filibuster, passing BBB and much else, this action is easy. The stakes are infinite and our voices will be heard. Thanks! ☮️
Get on the Phones! ☎️
Have I mentioned how amazing the Freedom to Vote Act is? It:
Prevents partisan gerrymandering! If the FTVA does not pass, the Republicans could take over the US House for a decade!
Exposes who pays for misleading political ads
Makes voting simpler and safer
Protects election officials and infrastructure
Provides funding to states for democracy innovations, including providing matching funds for small donations.
Joan’s Democracy Cafe has phonebanking into AZ and WV today from 3-6 EST to help pass the Freedom to Vote Act. It’s SO IMPORTANT!! They’ll train you.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PKVAXN to 50409]
I’m writing to ask you to fight to help secure permanent protections for immigrants this year.
Poll after poll has shown that the American public on both sides of the aisle supports a path to citizenship for immigrants and want Congress to use every legislative tool available to put undocumented immigrants on a path to citizenship.
This is a pivotal issue that would greatly benefit local communities, families, and boost economic growth for this country.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic millions of undocumented immigrants have risked their lives and the lives of their loved ones to promote the health, safety, and prosperity of all Americans. Permanent protections are long-overdue and are critical for the country's continued health response and economic recovery, and our efforts to rebuild our communities' infrastructure.
I am urging you to work with your colleagues and help deliver on the promise of permanent protections for millions of immigrants who call America home and put an end to the fear of deportations and family separations. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess