Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
Something I say regularly, but that I will repeat again for new subscribers, is this:
I know these scripts can seem repetitive. It can feel robotic to keep calling and saying the same things over and over. But please know, Congressional staffers are tallying how many calls they get on a particular bill or topic every day—not who calls. So every day your opinion, if you will, counts anew.
Repetition is boring, but it’s also how we win.
Chuck Schumer has asked us to make a ton of noise about changing the Senate rules so that voting rights legislation can be passed.
We know how to do noise.
Let’s get to work.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[If Democrat:] I’m glad Senator Schumer has prioritized the passage of voting rights legislation in the next couple of weeks. When it comes time to vote on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting rights Advancement Act I want the Senator to not only vote yes, but to support filibuster reform to get this done even if the Republicans refuse to play ball. Then please move on immediately to passing Build Back Better. Americans need help—especially our children! Thanks.
[If GOP] I’m glad Senator Schumer has prioritized the passage of voting rights legislation in the next couple of weeks. When it comes time to vote on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting rights Advancement Act I want the Senator to vote yes. If s/he doesn’t, and if Republicans continue to obstruct, I will support Democrats in enacting filibuster reform to get these critical bills passed. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m deeply concerned about the partisan bias evident in the Supreme Court. We need to pass the Judiciary Act and add 4 more justices to rebalance it. Will the Congressmember co-sponsor HR 2584, the Judiciary Act? This is really important to me. Thanks.
Extra Credit
The White House comment line is open again! Its hours are Tuesday to Thursday, from 11 am – 3 pm ET. Please call, and when you reach a staff member, tell them your name and what city and state you live in. Then, demand that President Biden do everything in his power to help overcome the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote Act. You can use Defending Our democracy’s special phone number to be connected: 1-888-724-8746.
Get on the Phones! ☎️
Once again, Joan’s Democracy Cafe has an excellent Tuesday phonebank option. Sign up for today’s, which is from 3-6 EST, get trained, and join one of two campaigns:
Ask Michigan voters to Decline to Sign a diabolical petition that implements voter suppression without a vote of the people, and invite them to a virtual educational event (run by Voters Not Politicians)
Ask Arizona and West Virginia voters to tell their Senators to reform the filibuster to pass the Freedom to Vote Act (FTVA) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (JLVRAA); we can connect the voter to their Senator’s office while we talk to them (called “patch through”).
Again, sign up here. (If this time doesn't work Common Cause has FTVA phonebanks EVERY DAY! Choose one here.)
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to your Senators] [H/T] [quick send text SIGN PBEMUQ to 50409]
The United States Postal Service’s promise of universal service and public ownership has been eroded under the leadership of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and USPS Board of Governors Chairman Ron Bloom.
With President Biden’s decision not to re-nominate Bloom as Chair, we have an opportunity to reaffirm the promise of universal service and public ownership that has been the hallmark of the USPS’ enduring popularity.
As the U.S. Senate considers President Biden’s nominees to fill the two vacancies on the USPS Board of Governors, please get firm commitments that, if confirmed, the nominees will take the following steps to protect our public Postal Service:
—Reverse the postal slowdown that was formalized this year
—Commit to prioritizing election mail, including ballots, registration forms, and absentee requests
—Expand the postal banking pilot program to provide more banking services to more unbanked or underbanked communities
—Seek to expand existing postal infrastructure into a community hub for services, rather than shutting down or privatizing aspects of it
—Maintain the USPS as a source of good, living wage jobs for our communities
—Provide real oversight to Postmaster General DeJoy’s financial conflicts of interest
It’s critical that every member of USPS leadership remain committed to our Postal Service. Please make sure that Biden’s nominees will. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess