Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/14
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday,
Today I’m making an exception to my rule of keeping Israel/Palestine calls out of this particular newsletter. I’m doing so because I’m making an assumption. That assumption is that we are generally agreed that holding back offensive weapons from Netanyahu to discourage him from using them in Rafah is a good move on Biden’s part, both morally and politically.
That being agreed upon, (I hope), Republicans are now teeing up a vote on a bill that would enable them to go around President Biden and send the bombs anyway. It’s heartless, yes, but also performative—they know Biden will veto it. Still, they’re trying hard to make themselves look like the “good guys” and to divide Democrats over it. For that and other reasons the Democratic leadership team is urging everyone in its caucus to vote against it.
I am, therefore putting a call about it in here. I think it’s important that a) Republicans know that we see what they’re doing and don’t approve of it, and b) Democrats know that we support them in voting no and have their backs.
On another legislative note, I wanted to flag that I am adding language about the Affordable Connectivity Act as a “tag” to the end of pretty much all of my call scripts right now. This kind of repetition is important—remember, Congressional aids are tallying the subjects of calls and the caller’s position—not how many times that caller has phoned in about a given topic. Your repeated calls on the ACP are necessary, potent and helpful. Let’s keep them up!
I hope everyone is hanging in there and making sure to practice lots of self-care. These are stressful times.
But they’re also hopeful, and that’s entirely because of you. Thanks for that.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’d like the Senator to support S.4175 - A bill to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Time is critical now. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program will sunset in less than one month. An extension won’t do. People have died waiting!
Also please ask the Senator to prioritize funding the Affordable Connectivity Act! This is really important to me. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I know that a Republican-led bill called the Israel Security Assistance Act will reach the floor tomorrow. It ties the hands of the president in a Republican effort to score political points at home. I want the Congressmember to oppose it.
[If GOP add:] First, I support the President’s decision to withhold these offensive weapons. Bombing Rafah will not make Israel safer or bring home the hostages any faster. Also, I really don’t appreciate the Republican party’s wasting time on messaging bills like this when there is serious work to be done helping Americans. Please ask the Congressmember to get their priorities straight! Thanks.
[If Democrat add:] I support the President’s decision to withhold these offensive weapons. Bombing Rafah will not make Israel safer or bring the hostages home any faster. I hope the Congressmember will support him.
Also please ask the Congressmember to prioritize funding the Affordable Connectivity Act! This is really important to me. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Your extra credit assignment for today is simply to read and share this excellent
piece about why the latest New York Times poll is, once again, highly questionable. It’s important to understand this not just for ourselves, but for the people we hope to explain it to.Also, I love Kuo so much and, for whatever it’s worth, think
is a must-subscribe.
Get Smart! 📚
On Wednesday, May 15 Brian Stelter, former CNN media correspondent and host of “Reliable Sources,” and Angelo Carusone, President of Media Matters for America, will
be with the folks at Big Tent USA to discuss the profound impact of right-wing media on our democratic processes, public discourse and polarization, and the pervasive spread of disinformation.
The discussion will explore:
• The mechanisms through which right-wing media influences public opinion and political landscapes.
• The direct implications of media practices on democratic values and Election Security.
• Strategies for navigating and countering disinformation AND misinformation in the media landscape.
Please register for the event with this link.
Win Races! 🗳
Join the Center For Common Ground on Thursday, May 16 at 8pm ET to learn about their campaigns to mobilize Black voters in Georgia and North Carolina. You will also get to hear from Team Unity leaders in both states:
Mayor Vi Lyles of Charlotte, North Carolina
Rosalyn Allison-Jacobs, North Carolina Team Unity
Ray McClendon and Richard Rose with Communities United For Justice and Georgia Team Unity
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
The fashion industry is one of the least regulated industries despite its track record of enormous greenhouse gas emissions, remarkable waste production, and horrific use of and exploitation of child labor.
This has led to a global race to the bottom, where the companies that have the least regard for the environment and people have a competitive edge. The industry has come up so far with empty promises, while the industry’s impact only increases.
At the current pace, fashion alone is set to account for over a quarter of the world’s carbon budget. This needs to stop. Join Climate Action Now’s Action Party and raise your voice in support of sustainable fashion!
Thursday, May 16 at 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET
Location: Zoom, registration required
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T Everytown] [Text SIGN PFGHIO to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
As your constituent, I'm urging you to do everything you can to protect ATF's final "engaged in the business" rule.
When the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was passed in 2022, Congress updated the nation's gun laws. ATF's new "engaged in the business" rule implements the changes that Congress made in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to require more unlicensed gun sellers to become licensed firearms dealers and, in turn, conduct background checks.
Background checks save lives—keeping guns out of the hands of those who are not allowed to purchase or possess firearms, including domestic abusers and individuals with felony convictions. More background checks mean fewer illegal guns and less gun violence.
ATF's rule provides clear guidance that people who seek to sell guns for profit—whether that's a brick-and-mortar store, a gun show, or online—must become licensed dealers and run background checks. The rule won't just help strengthen public safety, but will also help law enforcement solve gun crimes. It will also make it more difficult for criminals to purchase illegal guns and for gun traffickers to acquire them.
Please protect ATF's life-saving rule and ensure that ATF has the resources to implement it. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Thank you, Jessica, for the actions and for the answer about call tallying. And for Resisbot - I've started using it, and after some initial confusion, it is really easy, just like you said.
The Republicans have no sense of irony, only blatant hypocrisy. If they really felt that Israel needed more big bombs they could have passed the bill approving the bomb shipments six months ago. But that was when Biden wanted them to do it. Biden has explained why he has changed his mind, the Republicans are suddenly all for Israel, while most of them remain antisemitic.