Hi, all, and happy Wednesday.
I’m going to make this quick, as our actions matter much more, right now, than my words.
Today debate continues on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act (you can watch live at this link.) Leader Schumer has indicated that he will put forward a proposal to change the rules to allow for a talking filibuster. Then we will find out who has been swayed by their constituents and who hasn’t. (This morning, Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona came out in favor of Senate rules reform for voting rights. So someone new has been swayed.)
Things, in short, are happening!
Where they will end up we cannot control. But we can control what we contribute to the push.
So first let's make sure to give some love to the Senators taking the floor. You can do this by going to DFAD’s awesome digital toolkit, which will give you posts to amplify, and even messages and graphics to post yourself.
Then let’s make our calls, send our Resistbot, and encourage others to keep the pressure up. Everything you need to do this is, of course, below.
We know the messaging; we know the channels to use; we know the moment is urgent. Now is the time for all hands on deck! Let’s get to work!
P.S. Speaking of messaging, DFAD launched the hashtag #VotingRightsForThePeople early this morning. It is currently the number 1 trend on twitter in the country. They have asked for help keeping this going throughout the day. I know it seems silly, but these things can make a difference. So whatever you post, wherever you post it, please add that hashtag!
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I want the Senate to follow in the House of Representatives’ footsteps and pass S. 1975, the Women’s Health Protection Act, to help protect access to abortion and help ensure that no one is denied this fundamental right.
Second, I want the Senator to support passage of the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and I support a full and robust debate about it on the Senate floor. [Optional: thank them for their comments thus far if they were good.]
[If Dem add:] We need every Democratic Senator to hold the floor however long it takes to get us to a rules reform that allows for this bill to get a vote. We can’t allow procedural loopholes to derail this legislation. Thanks.
[If GOP add:] This bill contains no-brainer provisions to make it easier to vote and to get corruption out of our electoral system. These provisions are supported by a majority of Americans. The Senator needs to stop standing on the wrong side of history and support this legislation. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’d like the Congressmember to support HR 2489, the Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act. This bill would require the FCC to put a cap on how much prisons and jails can charge incarcerated people and their families for phone calls. Families shouldn’t have to make a decision between being able to speak to their incarcerated loved one or pay bills. Thanks. [H/T and click-to-tweet tool]
Extra Credit
Post this on your social media (you can also RT mine here):
Want to ask your Senators to fight for the Freedom to Vote Act but don’t like making calls? No problem! Text SIGN PEANJQ to 50409 and @resistbot will send a letter to your Senators. It's the next best thing to a call!
Let's do this, America! 🗳
#VotingRightsForThePeople
[click here to download a great graphic to go with your post]
Save the Vote!
Common Cause has phonebanks every single day of this week urging Arizonans and voters in other target states to make calls to their senators in support of the Freedom to Vote Act. Including one today at 1 Pst that I will be at!
Can we all sign up for a Freedom to Vote phonebanking shift this week? There is a training at the beginning of each one. I know it’s scary. But losing our democracy is scarier! 😱
Win Races! 🗳
All day today Movement Voter Labs is recruiting candidates in Illinois to run in elections that usually go uncontested. (Remember what Steve Bannon is doing? It’s all about the down ballot races!) With your help, we can challenge GOP dominance in local governments.
Want to help? You have to join their Slack channel to get started; do so here.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to your Senators] [H/T] [Quick send text SIGN PEANJQ to 50409]
As your constituent and someone who desperately cares about our democracy I’m writing to say that we need the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act now, and we can’t allow procedural loopholes to derail it.
We need the national standards that ensure every voter can safely and freely cast their ballot, prevent election sabotage, and guarantee fair representation for all.
We shouldn’t tolerate barriers to voting for voters of color, veterans, voters with disabilities, rural voters, new Americans, or young people. We shouldn’t tolerate efforts to remove local election officials or harass them to prevent them from counting every vote. Instead, we must move forward and protect the voice and vote of every American.
Ensuring the ability for every American to participate in safe, accessible, and transparent elections is more important for our democracy than strict adherence to outdated Senate rules that give outsized power to a very select few. This is legislation that Americans support; we can’t allow for a misguided minority to once again obstruct vital legislation that our country needs.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess