My rep - Angie Craig - was one of the ones who changed her vote! I called her multiple times, and before the vote, I got an email stating that she would be changing her vote after she heard from constituents about it and her own increasing concern about how it would used. Felt good to see in action that it can make a difference!
Yes, my rep--Nikki Budzinski--was also one who changed her vote! I did contact her office earlier this week because of CWCW, so it was wonderful knowing it might have had an impact, however small.
I called my Rep Brad Sherman daily about HR 9495, now his staffer is my new BFF, Sherman switched to vote Nay, and Staffer Guy gave me the site to track bill votes: www.govtrack.us/congress/votes
That is so awesome that you called often and that she responded by changing her vote and saying how the calls made a difference. It validates our effectiveness. So motivating to keep it up!
Thanks so much for sharing Jason's Thank You. I am going to close my computer for the weekend and love this being the last thing I look at!
I have been telling people who live in Maine to repeatedly call Susan Collins about these appointments and demand that she demand full information about these nominees and vote in a way that is consistent with the safety of this country. I think this for all of our Senators - including Democrats so they do not provide bi-partisan support for these absolutely incompetent and dangerous appointees. I think this needs to be a full court press.
just a note to say those in Congress who are not your Representative or Senator will not pay attention to what you say to them. So you can only write to or call those who represent you. Easiest thing to do, then, is go to their websites where you will be able to email them with your comments. And perhaps, if they provide it, you will find information where you can text them as well. And you will find their snail mail address if you would like to write them a regular letter.
They do not keep track of who calls, but do just count how many calls and on what issue and on which side of it. So email and snail mail the same day, and email the same message again the next day, and the next and the next. I write mine in a word document and then copy/paste for each day's message. Postcards work as well as letters, so you can create several postcards on an issue and just drop one in the outgoing mail each day. So simple!
And if you are feeling proactive, why not ask them to create a text number for those who are deaf or have other difficulties using a phone. I know you are not alone with this problem. And who knows, you just might make a switch to many of the legislators websites in the process!
So I’d recommend just copying and pasting the script into the “contact me” field of each of your reps. They all have one on their official websites. It’s just as effective as a phone call! You’ll have to enter name and address but that’s good because then they know you’re a constituent. Thank you!
Here's the information you need to contact your representatives and senators. This information on this website: https://www.house.gov/accessibility
Telecommunications for the Deaf (TTY/TDD)
Phone numbers for House and Senate offices, both voice and TTY, are available by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 (voice) or 202-224-3091 (TTY). Additional useful numbers are listed below:
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services: 202-224-4048 (voice) or 202-224-4049 (TTY)
I'm late life deaf, single side cochlear implant that affords sounds and some single speech with lip reading language comprehension, other ear deaf unaided.
I do not have TTY and didn't think it would work for me.
I called representative Rep. Andy Biggs’ office and spoke with an aide and read the script denouncing HR9495. I live in Chandler, Arizona, and I will not stop voicing my opposition to legislation that will tear apart our democracy and embolden and support totalitarianism from the office of the president. I feel slightly physically ill and nauseous but I share this only to commiserate with others who are making these phone calls who live in states with Republican representatives in the house. We need to not be intimidated. We need to continue to speak up. We need to push ourselves beyond our comfort zone. Thank you, Jessica for giving us this courage and for writing this Substack with actions we can continue to take to speak out against legislation that will destroy our democracy.
Eileen, good job! Sorry it takes a toll on you to call, but I’m proud of you for persisting. You are doing the critical heavy lifting! Please hang in there!
I've been making these calls daily for the past week or so and it's really helping me wrap my head around the horror of the election results. Thank you for this great newsletter.
Thanks Jess. I've been off the grid the last two days due to weather but before that called my Dem rep and politely but sternly asked her to change her vote on HR9495, and she did! Yesterday I called to thank her for doing so! Every victory matters so much more now.
I’ve been making calls almost daily from your scripts. It’s getting much less nerve-wracking and I actually feel happier after!
Justice Jim Kitchens seems like a much needed judge to re-elect in MS. I wrote postcards for him last week. Thanks for the link to donate too. Done! We have learned how much democracy depends on all these foundational points.
When friends say how upset they are, I can sympathize, and then say how taking these small actions has helped me. Thank you for laying it out. It is no small task! Enjoy your breaks, much deserved!
Saying thank you just doesn’t seem enough, but until I can find a better way…thank you for all the wonderful work you do for us and our country. You are a treasure.
Amazing! Such a smart move to do it over a weekend so you don’t have to talk to a person! Just make sure to leave your full name and address since they won’t have you in their system. I leave just name and zip now, but that’s bc I’ve called a million times.
I used your guide to call my senators for the first time. Thank you so much.
Casey- That's awesome. This will one of many, many calls!
Thank you so proud of you!
Just a thank you for all you do. You must find extra stores of energy. I am very appreciative of how smooth you show us how to make our voices heard.
Aw thanks, Jean! I’ve been doing this for 8 years now—it’s become grooved.
My rep - Angie Craig - was one of the ones who changed her vote! I called her multiple times, and before the vote, I got an email stating that she would be changing her vote after she heard from constituents about it and her own increasing concern about how it would used. Felt good to see in action that it can make a difference!
Yes, my rep--Nikki Budzinski--was also one who changed her vote! I did contact her office earlier this week because of CWCW, so it was wonderful knowing it might have had an impact, however small.
Amazing! Please make sure to call her office and thank her!
I called my Rep Brad Sherman daily about HR 9495, now his staffer is my new BFF, Sherman switched to vote Nay, and Staffer Guy gave me the site to track bill votes: www.govtrack.us/congress/votes
Yay Ellie!
That is so awesome that you called often and that she responded by changing her vote and saying how the calls made a difference. It validates our effectiveness. So motivating to keep it up!
Yes!
That’s fantastic! Gives me great hope that they do listen.
Lots of them do! Especially Dems.
That’s amazing, Teresa! I trust you called to thank her?
Yes, I called on Friday!
Thanks so much for sharing Jason's Thank You. I am going to close my computer for the weekend and love this being the last thing I look at!
I have been telling people who live in Maine to repeatedly call Susan Collins about these appointments and demand that she demand full information about these nominees and vote in a way that is consistent with the safety of this country. I think this for all of our Senators - including Democrats so they do not provide bi-partisan support for these absolutely incompetent and dangerous appointees. I think this needs to be a full court press.
Fight on all!
Yeah she’s a good person to focus on. I believe Lisa Murkowski has come out publicly against recess appointments.
Did my 5 min actions today- calls/emails to my reps and Resistbot. Always makes me feel less hopeless! TY
Doesn’t it though?
I'm crying like a baby after watching that video. You are so awesome, jess.
Thank you. I normally wouldn’t bring something like that here but Jason has worked SO HARD on all of our behalf. He needed this badly.
I'm so appreciative of all the effort and work that goes into these newsletters.
I'm 77 and deaf, I can't make the calls.
Is it possible to add email or text numbers so many such as myself can contribute equally.
Thank you.
Hi Joann -
just a note to say those in Congress who are not your Representative or Senator will not pay attention to what you say to them. So you can only write to or call those who represent you. Easiest thing to do, then, is go to their websites where you will be able to email them with your comments. And perhaps, if they provide it, you will find information where you can text them as well. And you will find their snail mail address if you would like to write them a regular letter.
They do not keep track of who calls, but do just count how many calls and on what issue and on which side of it. So email and snail mail the same day, and email the same message again the next day, and the next and the next. I write mine in a word document and then copy/paste for each day's message. Postcards work as well as letters, so you can create several postcards on an issue and just drop one in the outgoing mail each day. So simple!
And if you are feeling proactive, why not ask them to create a text number for those who are deaf or have other difficulties using a phone. I know you are not alone with this problem. And who knows, you just might make a switch to many of the legislators websites in the process!
Thank you.. I do contact my representatives via their email.
I had hoped to bombard as many as possible , (thank you for clarifying) so much for " the voice of the people".
So I’d recommend just copying and pasting the script into the “contact me” field of each of your reps. They all have one on their official websites. It’s just as effective as a phone call! You’ll have to enter name and address but that’s good because then they know you’re a constituent. Thank you!
Obviously the script might need to be adapted slightly and you can also add your own comments!
Hi Joann,
Here's the information you need to contact your representatives and senators. This information on this website: https://www.house.gov/accessibility
Telecommunications for the Deaf (TTY/TDD)
Phone numbers for House and Senate offices, both voice and TTY, are available by calling the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 (voice) or 202-224-3091 (TTY). Additional useful numbers are listed below:
Office of Congressional Accessibility Services: 202-224-4048 (voice) or 202-224-4049 (TTY)
Federal Relay Service: 800-877-8339 (voice/TTY)
Washington, DC, Relay Service: 202-855-1000 (voice) 202-855-1234 (TTY)
I very much appreciate the information.
I'm late life deaf, single side cochlear implant that affords sounds and some single speech with lip reading language comprehension, other ear deaf unaided.
I do not have TTY and didn't think it would work for me.
I will give it a go.
😊
I called representative Rep. Andy Biggs’ office and spoke with an aide and read the script denouncing HR9495. I live in Chandler, Arizona, and I will not stop voicing my opposition to legislation that will tear apart our democracy and embolden and support totalitarianism from the office of the president. I feel slightly physically ill and nauseous but I share this only to commiserate with others who are making these phone calls who live in states with Republican representatives in the house. We need to not be intimidated. We need to continue to speak up. We need to push ourselves beyond our comfort zone. Thank you, Jessica for giving us this courage and for writing this Substack with actions we can continue to take to speak out against legislation that will destroy our democracy.
You are a hero, Eileen. I mean that. Thank you.
Eileen, good job! Sorry it takes a toll on you to call, but I’m proud of you for persisting. You are doing the critical heavy lifting! Please hang in there!
You are a hero, Eileen. I mean that. Thank you.
I've been making these calls daily for the past week or so and it's really helping me wrap my head around the horror of the election results. Thank you for this great newsletter.
I’m so glad, Suzanne. It makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
Thank you for sharing the Climate Action Now app. I needed a way to focus my efforts in this direction. Thanks again.
It’s the best, isn’t it?
This is so helpful, thank you! You are doing the heavy lifting so we can keep chopping!
And I’m happy to do so.
Thanks Jess. I've been off the grid the last two days due to weather but before that called my Dem rep and politely but sternly asked her to change her vote on HR9495, and she did! Yesterday I called to thank her for doing so! Every victory matters so much more now.
Amazing Jason thank you!
Thank you Jess! 🦃❤️ Safe travels next week and rest up- We need you!
Thanks KC!
I’ve been making calls almost daily from your scripts. It’s getting much less nerve-wracking and I actually feel happier after!
Justice Jim Kitchens seems like a much needed judge to re-elect in MS. I wrote postcards for him last week. Thanks for the link to donate too. Done! We have learned how much democracy depends on all these foundational points.
When friends say how upset they are, I can sympathize, and then say how taking these small actions has helped me. Thank you for laying it out. It is no small task! Enjoy your breaks, much deserved!
Thanks, Bev! We carry on together!
Saying thank you just doesn’t seem enough, but until I can find a better way…thank you for all the wonderful work you do for us and our country. You are a treasure.
Tomorrow I do my first phone calls! 💪🏽
Amazing! Such a smart move to do it over a weekend so you don’t have to talk to a person! Just make sure to leave your full name and address since they won’t have you in their system. I leave just name and zip now, but that’s bc I’ve called a million times.
I just sent this to Ben Meiselas who is the founder if Meidas Touch. ben and his brothers kept me sane during the turd’s last four-year crime spree.