Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/17
So much winning!
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday.
YOU DID IT AGAIN! You, along with volunteers from all over the country (and a talented campaign team), helped flip Florida’s HD-35 from red to blue yesterday! Amazing work! And friends, when you see a Newsweek headline like this:
Democrats Cause 'Earthquake' in Florida With Shock Election Victory
You know you’ve done well. To quote Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee:
Rep-elect Keen's victory delivers a blow to Florida Republicans—this was a Republican seat that DeSantis won in 2022 and they should've had it in the bag.
They should’ve. But they didn’t.
This despite outspending Democrats by double! And consider the vote totals! Keen won 11,390 votes against his opponent’s 10,800. Yes, you got that right—he won by 590 votes. That, my friends, is the “margin of effort.” THAT is because of you.
Don’t underestimate how important these “small” electoral victories are, either. Will Keen’s win give us a majority in the Florida Statehouse? Not even close. Will it give the Democrats enough votes to override DeSantis’s veto? Nope.
But is a win a win? Yes. Is this win incremental progress towards eventually attaining those goals? Yes. Is it, most importantly, another in a long line of psychological blows to MAGA morale? Yes, yes, and yes again.
Wins breed more wins, period. They are, further, proof positive that our voters—and volunteers, and donors—are motivated, enraged, determined, organized, and galvanized. Good!
If we keep doing what we’re doing we’re going to keep getting what we’re getting: victories.
So let’s do that.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m angry to hear that Republicans in the Senate, led by Mitch McConnell, are blocking the Brown Vance Railway Safety Act. This legislation would enhance safety procedures for trains carrying hazardous materials, which would prevent another disaster like the one that happened in East Palestine. It’s unacceptable that Republican Senators are opposing it because the freight rail industry wants them to. Congress works for us, not for lobbyists. Please make sure this bill passes.
Also, please ask the Senator to support the Child Tax Credit improvements included in the newly announced bipartisan, bicameral tax proposal. These changes will help families with the lowest incomes who are struggling to pay for food, housing, child care, and other essentials. Good. [H/T FRAC Action]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m disappointed to hear that Speaker Johnson and a few obstructionist Republicans are refusing to take up immigration “until Trump is elected.” Our border is in crisis. It can be solved, but only with Congress’s help. Enough delay. Please work with your colleagues to pass immigration proposals that reject the cruel and highly partisan racist and xenophobic demands of the Trump/MAGA extremists and actually solve the problem. [H/T]
Also, please ask the Congressmember to support the Child Tax Credit improvements included in the newly announced bipartisan, bicameral tax proposal. These changes will help families with the lowest incomes who are struggling to pay for food, housing, child care, and other essentials. Good. [H/T FRAC Action]
Extra Credit ✅
Your extra credit assignment today is fun! Check out the below tracker and share some of what you learn with friends and family! So cool—I love the Center for American Progress.
What new infrastructure projects are coming to your hometown? Explore the Biden Administration Investment Tracker to see more real-time impacts of the Biden administration’s legislation—including the number of new jobs created and the environmental benefits of these projects.
Get Smart! 📚
The Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments in cases that could ultimately undermine the ability of the federal government to work effectively – putting our environment, our safety, and our economy at risk. In Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, and Relentless Inc. v. U.S. Department of Commerce, the Court could give itself even more power to meddle in decisions from the elected branches – putting any policy the Republican-appointed justices don’t like at risk.
The outcome of these cases could limit the power of agencies that enforce critical laws about everything from the environment to food safety to consumer protection.
Tomorrow, Thursday, at 12pm ET, join experts from the Just Majority Coalition for a discussion of the oral arguments and an explanation of how this could all play out.
Spread the Word! 📣
Want to help amplify the DNC’s message online? Sign up with Reach to start receiving daily content updates and access to graphics and videos. You can also sign up for a training through the app.
They’ve got tons of good pro-Biden-Harris stuff for you to share!
Click HERE to join via desktop or mobile app.
Give 💰!
The Civics Center is asking us to donate whatever we can to help “sponsor a teacher.” Each donation will help them provide $500 stipends for teachers to attend their training to set up registration drives at high schools across the country. Great idea! We so need it!
Win Races! 🗳
OK, friends. It’s time to step it up for Tom Suozzi—because isn’t winning addictive? Remember, I give the opening pep talk every Wednesday at the Swing Left NY-03 phonebank, and today is no exception! Please come! It’s from 2:30-4:30 PT / 5:30-7:30 ET.
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
SAVE THE FORESTS ACTION PARTY! 🌳
Preserving and restoring our forests is critical to the effort to address the climate crisis. Not only do forests sequester tons of carbon, but they also create much of the oxygen we breathe, preserve eco-diversity, rejuvenate the soil, and provide shade in a warming world.
Join the Climate Action Now team for an overview of the essential role forests play in maintaining the climate and the many ways in which they are threatened. Then take action to help preserve and restore them for current and future generations.
Thursday, Jan. 18, 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators ] [H/T Senator Tina Smith] [Text SIGN PKYQEF to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I’m writing in support of S. 2337, the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act.
Plastic pollution poses a serious challenge to our country and our world. Not only is plastic non-biodegradable, but it is also manufactured with harmful chemicals in a process that exacerbates climate change. Every year, the United States alone disposes of 32 million tons of plastic waste. While recycling has the potential to make a difference, our recycling system currently only processes eight percent of all plastic waste. And much of that plastic waste ultimately ends up in our oceans.
The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic into waterways from facilities and sources that make, use, package, or transport pellets. Where we can reduce plastic use and better recycle our existing plastic supply, we should. I am a strong supporter of plant-based alternatives to traditional plastics. Such solutions would address the plastic pellets, or nurdles, that are used in the production of nearly all plastic goods.
Please support this bill. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
You are our inspiration!! You cheerlead us through so many issues crucial to our shared democracy. Thank you, Jess❣️
Thank you, as always, for your relentless advocacy.