27 Comments

It’s such a pleasure to actually talk to human on behalf of Congressional action. Francisco is the staffer who has answered before in Tony Gonzales office. The gun bill is so common sense I could envision this Republican voting for it.

Francisco said he would pass along my message.

Expand full comment

Amazing thank you!

Expand full comment

I spoke with a live staffer for Andy Biggs office urging Biggs to vote yes on the gun safety bill.

Expand full comment

I just called Jamie Raskin's office, which feels silly because he's always way ahead of me, but I guess it can't hurt.

Expand full comment

Actually, I don’t know which way he was planning on voting so it’s definitely good that you called.

Expand full comment

Ooh, pee green with envy, R.M. I used to live in his district well before he was a rep. Don't feel silly because then he will know he has your support.

Expand full comment

Just heard Martin Kerr for the first time this morning. Jess, when you have time, play "You're Amazing" and imagine we're all singing it to you and each other.

And, to everyone, if you haven't heard Martin's "God Rest You, Merry Billionaires", it's wonderful, and chilling.

Made a call. Wrote a postcard. More of each, plus emails, later. Thank you, Jess, for the links and scripts. One contact at a time, and then another, and another.

Expand full comment

Exactly! Thank you!

Expand full comment

Any postcarders out there?

Postcards to Voters has an ongoing campaign for Kannan Srinivasan for the VA senate race and Postcards 4 VA has a joint campaign focusing on Repro Rights and targeting strong Democratic women.

www.postcardstovoters.org

https://postcards4va.com/

If a Republican wins the Senate race it will flip the VA Senate red until Jan 2028, since there are no state senate races this November. If a Republican wins the House of Delegates it will flip the House red until Jan 2026. The entire House is up for reelction in Nov.

If both chambers flip in the Special Election, Glenn Youngkin will have a GOP trifecta for the rest of his term. Le4t's all make sure that doesn't happen!!

Expand full comment

Yes! I always hesitate to put postcards to voters campaigns in the newsletter because they are so hard to sign up for if you’re new. And frankly, even if you’re not. I keep praying that they will fix that so I can start promoting them more.

Expand full comment

Sent postcards for both through postcards4va!

Expand full comment

same! I don't work with postcards to voters due to its owner.

Expand full comment

I understand Post Card stamps are 56 cents to mail and Thanks for the template 🎉

Expand full comment

Sure thing! It was in yesterday’s newsletter!

Expand full comment

Pass the Social Security Fairness Act-HB 82!! Call/write Senators !

Expand full comment

I believe I had a script in the newsletter for that yesterday

Expand full comment

🙏👏🤞👍

Expand full comment

Jessica (and others), do you think those who back Connolly are just scared to back a younger woman of color after what happened to Harris? Do they think she can get less done or that she will be subject to more antagonism than an old white dude? Or is it something else?

Expand full comment

I think there is a battle of wills between the old guard, who want to keep their power, and the new guard, who want to take it from them. Today the old guard won. We'll get them out eventually.

Expand full comment

I'm so disgusted by them/Pelosi that I've been considering unregistering as a Dem.

Expand full comment

I completely understand. It’s beyond maddening.

Expand full comment

Is the ranking member of the House Oversight Comt. also the Speaker ?

Expand full comment

No. The Speaker is the person from the party in the majority who is the highest ranking member of the whole House caucus. And the chair of the committee would be also from the party in the majority. So the ranking member just means the highest ranked member from the minority party in a given committee. It’s still a very powerful position, though.

Expand full comment

Thanks

Expand full comment

Adding info to Jessica's blurb under Extra Credit re the amazing website 5 Calls (5calls.org) to turn it into many more "calls".

It is a simple website where you enter your street address in the box and then click on one of the 25 topics listed. Up will come some information on that topic for you to read and at the end will be telephone contact information for your appropriate Federal or State level representative(s), and a script to follow. Simply dial the number and read aloud the script. When done, hang up, click the results at the bottom of the page, and the next representative's name and contact info will appear, if appropriate. When done, if you wish, click on another issue and repeat the process. Couldn't be easier.

And a hint: if you are nervous about making phone calls to your representatives then simply make your calls after dinner and leave a voicemail message. No need to talk with anyone, and the next day they will record the topic of your phone call and what you asked for.

So easy!!

NOTE: if you only enter your zip code in the address box you will only get contact info for your Federal representatives. Include your street address and you will also get your State representatives.

BONUS: Why not copy the phone call script for an issue and paste it into an email on your representative's webpage and send it. Again, no talking with anyone, and you end up posting your vote twice, which is totally allowed.

BONUS #2: Write that same script onto a postcard and mail it to your representative. You can get their mailing address off their webpage. Be sure to use the local address so it arrives sooner.

All 3 of these voting methods are allowed to be used by every voter, every day, without a problem. And you don't have to talk with anyone if you don't want to.

Don't forget to choose another topic and repeat the process. Let your voice be heard!!!

Expand full comment

Hi Jessica, do you know if there is a way to support the Des Moines Register (and pollster J. Ann Selzer) in their upcoming court battle with DJT? A legal defense fund or something like that? I've considered subscribing, but I'd prefer to do something more direct. Incidentally, I will send Judge Merchan in NYC a combined Thank You / Happy Holidays card tomorrow. These three are already "in the trenches" fighting for democracy, and I'd like to help. Thanks.

Expand full comment

Hopefully, I am copying the resistbot text correctly. I copy the text (with great anquish to include the first bracket, but nothing before it). I click the text linke (number). Resistbot then sends me a prompt, and I just drop the copied text into it.

I am rather burnt out from phone calling and emailing, so resistbot is my last minimum effort action. Hopefull, I am do that correctly.

Expand full comment