Hi, all, and happy Thursday.
I hope you’re all recovering from the collective electoral hangover as well as can be expected. If you need more help getting there, I recommend reading Political Charge’s recap of the great victories we did have across the country on Tuesday. It wasn’t just Michelle Wu. We elected awesome, diverse candidates—and stopped a BUNCH of anti-CRT school board candidates—in states and cities across the country. Bravo.
I find focussing on the victories, wherever they are, critical to surviving the challenges we face. So let’s be sure to do that.
As for what Tuesday means for next year’s midterm elections?
It means exactly what we make it mean.
Will we throw up our hands and say: “I give up. I’m tired. It’s too hard. We’re doomed?”
Or will we take a deep breath and say “Nevertheless, I will persist?”
I, for one, choose the latter. I trust and hope that many of you will join me.
Remember, we create the future through our actions. Change our actions, change the future.
That’s the only thing that’s written in stone.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[If Democrat] I’m enraged and frustrated that Republicans filibustered even debating the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act yesterday. We need to reform the outdated Senate rules to prevent a small number of Senators from stopping all progress, including blocking a vote on a bill which will safeguard our democracy. We can't allow a minority of senators to dictate the entire legislative agenda of the United States. Democrats need to reform the Senate filibuster so we can protect and strengthen our democracy. Thanks. [H/T]
[If GOP] I’m beyond frustrated that Republicans filibustered even debating the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act yesterday. What has happened to the Republican Party? Is the Senator aware that since enactment in 1965, the VRA has been updated five times -- each time with wide bipartisan support? Most recently in 2006, the updated version got 98 Senate votes in favor, and zero -- ZERO! -- against. George W. Bush—a Republican!— signed it into law. But the GOP is no longer a reasonable party. In fact, they have proven that no democracy legislation of any substance will win Republican support. Shame on them. I will do everything I can to encourage Democrats to abolish the filibuster. You have left them no choice. [H/T]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
[to all House reps] First, I know a group of Congressmembers just submitted House Concurrent Resolution 54, objecting to Louis DeJoy's mail slowdown and rate increase, and requesting that both actions halt and undergo investigation. I’d like the Congressmember to sign on to it. May I send your office a copy? [You can read the full resolution here—please email it to them if they want you to.] Also, has the Congressmember called for the President to replace Ronald Bloom so that the Postal Board of Governors can fire DeJoy? I would like him/her to.
[to Dems only add:] Also, Democrats need to pass the Build Back Better Plan and then the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework—in that order. And we need to do it NOW. And please ask the Congressmember to work to keep green cards in the Build Back Better bill. Lawmakers must not hide behind the opinion of an unelected parliamentarian. Democrats are risking their majorities in the House and Senate if they do not keep permanent residency for immigrants, who have worked hard to send them to Washington, in Build Back Better. Thanks. [H/T]
Extra Credit
Let’s call Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at (518) 431-4070 or 1 (212) 486-4430 or (202) 224-6542 and say:
My name is _____, and I live in [city, state]. I’m calling the Senator in his capacity as Senate Majority Leader to say it’s time to replace Joe Manchin as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Manchin owns millions of dollars in coal stocks and earns half a million dollars each year in dividends alone. He’s a shill for fossil fuel companies and everyone knows it. Yet as the Chairman of the Energy Committee he is also responsible for regulating the fossil fuel industry. He cannot do this job, he isn’t doing it, and he is endangering both the President’s entire legislative agenda and our children’s future. Why are we rewarding him for this? Replace him now please. [H/T and petition]
Chop Wood, Give 💰
Wow. Six out of eight States Project-backed candidates in VA outperformed Terry McAuliffe. It’s the reason we held the State Senate there and didn’t lose too badly in the House (although we did lose our majority there). As we’ve seen over and over, state legislatures are capable of doing either incredible good or unspeakable evil. They are also capable of stopping or hindering a Governor.
Thanks to the States Project Democrats in VA can still do that.
This organization knows what it’s doing and it knows that victory for Democrats depends on winning in states. I can’t recommend them highly enough. Please make a donation if you can, and/or sign up to receive their newsletter.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to all 3 reps] [H/T]
Nearly 12 million children in the United States are facing hunger. They rely on our nation's most important anti-hunger programs for the food they need to grow, learn, and thrive.
Any reconciliation legislation MUST include funding to expand hunger-fighting programs. Please:
- Extend and expand the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program, currently operating as Pandemic EBT, to ensure the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has the authority needed to continue this important program during summers and for future school closings.
- Expand the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) by increasing funding, lowering the eligibility threshold, and expanding automatic enrollment to allow schools and school districts to provide free school meals to an additional nine million children.
- Extend the temporary increases in the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit to provide families with children and working adults with additional critical economic resources.
Please support nutrition provisions in the reconciliation bill that will help millions of families in America keep food on the table. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess