Hi, all, and happy Wednesday.
I’m hearing some interesting and potentially hopeful news—it sounds like the Senate Democrats are finally getting serious about democracy protection. Word is they’re going to put Build Back Better on hold until January and try to pass voting rights legislation now. And yes, this does mean some sort of filibuster reform. Perhaps they’ve agreed on something—we’ll know soon.
These rumors have just surfaced in the last hour or so; I'm not 100% sure how real they are. But Bernie is certainly talking to reporters about such a possibility (see above). Others are speaking off the record, which is filtering down to my networks. I think it’s legit.
I am going to encourage us to act like it is by calling and supporting it loudly.
Of course I desperately want us to have the provisions in the BBBA. And I believe we will. But the time constrictions surrounding partisan gerrymandering are daunting. We must pass voter protections now.
The rest will follow.
Don’t give up. Don’t let up.
Let’s get this done.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I'm hearing that the Senate plans to put Build Back Better on hold until it can pass voting rights legislation. While I consider Build Back Better a priority bill that must be passed, I am relieved to hear that the Senate is finally putting our need to address our democracy crisis above all else. They must immediately protect our freedom to vote, get dark money our of our elections, stop voter suppression and get rid of partisan gerrymandering. The Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act do just that. Pass them now, please.
[If Democrat add:] Change the Senate rules and get it done! And then come back to Build Back Better right away. Thank you.
[If GOP add:] I'd like to remind the Senator that s/he took an oath to defend the Constitution. This is literally their ONLY job. Please ask them to support these bills.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I understand that Rep Jamie Raskin and a few others have just introduced the Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act, an as-yet-unnumbered bill that closes a campaign finance loophole that allows for-profit U.S. corporations owned by foreign investors to pour unlimited cash into American elections. I’d like the Congressmember to co-sponsor it.
Also, please ask him/her to co-sponsor and support the Local Journalism Sustainability Act HR 3940. Our democracy relies on healthy local journalism, but we know the industry is ailing. This bill would do a lot to save it; it’s a no brainer. Thanks.
Extra Credit
More on this Gulf of Mexico thing. I’m still livid.
🌎 First, if you’re on twitter please RT this or post the below yourself (you can get a good GIF to go with it here]
The Biden Administration, along with the Department of Interior, knew that they could have stopped the largest fossil fuel lease sale in history. But they didn't.
It's time to keep oil and gas in the ground. @POTUS & @Interior @SecDebHaaland we need to #StopTheSale!
🌎 Second, please use 350.org’s number (866-834-8040) to call the Department of the Interior and say:
Hi, my name is ____, and I'm calling from ____.
Please immediately cancel lease sale 257 in the Gulf of Mexico. It was not required, and it’ll set us back catastrophically on our climate goals. That is unacceptable.
[Optional add:] At the start of her time as Secretary of the Interior, Secretary Haaland vowed to make climate a top priority. We need to rise to the challenge of the moment – that starts with banning drilling on federal lands and stopping future sales. Thank you.
Please consider logging your call here.
Get Educated #1: Support Local Journalism!
Please join the Secure Elections Network’s webinar tonight ! It’ll be eye opening and filled with action steps. Declining local journalism is a major contributing factor to our present challenges with democracy. Learn how we got here and tangible ideas of how to get out.
Wednesday, December 15 at 8pm ET, 5pm PT. Sign up here.
Get Educated #2: Get Strategic!
Activate America, one of my favorite GOTV organizations, is having a team meeting today about the latest developments in the electoral landscape and the path to victory in the 2022 elections. If you think you might like to help us save the country and maybe the world please consider coming to learn what that might look like. 😊
Because on January 2nd? The midterms are ON.
Sign up here. Today, 5 PM PDT/ 8PM EDT. I’ll be there.
Help Pass Good Bills!
End Citizens United is doing twice-a-week text banks to help pass the Freedom to Vote Act. Volunteers will text constituents and ask them to contact their Members of Congress to encourage them to support it.
You’ll receive a full training before you start, and, as always with this kind of text banking, your phone number will not be used.
This couldn't be more important. Sign up here.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to President Biden] [H/T] [quick send text SIGN PIRSZF to 50409}
You pledged, during your campaign, to cancel at least $10,000 of student debt per person. While that has yet to be fulfilled, I appreciate your leadership in initiating and extending the student loan payment pause through January 31, 2022, as we all struggle to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the pandemic continues to devastate Americans’ health and financial security, I urge you to extend the pause on student loan payments further. I agree with the ACLU, NAACP, and Indivisible that payments should not resume until your administration has fully delivered on the promises you made to student loan borrowers to fix the broken student loan system and cancel federal student debt. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
It’s working. I reached out to both Warnock and Ossoff…this was in the morning JOLT from the Atlanta Journal Constitution
https://www.ajc.com/politics/warnock-says-senate-should-delay-holiday-recess-to-focus-passing-voting-bills/ARBNAAX54BE5TG5ZDCBVHQAPQY/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_3389325