Hi all, and happy Friday.
This morning the GOP filibustered the Resolution to create a January 6th Commission. As I see it, we've hit a turning point. We either get the Democrats to abolish the filibuster or we spend the next two years doing nothing...and watching our democracy decay like a tooth in a glass of coke.
The latter is not just a gross image— it’s an unacceptable option. So I am going to ask us all to summon our courage, our outrage, and our belief in democracy and CALL. Script, obviously, is below. And don't skip calling if your Senator is a GOP member. They need to hear from you that what they're doing is wrong. Don't let them get off easy.
This is hard. It's scary. But with our concerted effort we will prevail. We have no choice.
Don't quit before the miracle.
Call Your Senators
Hi, I'm a constituent; my name is ____ my zip code is ____.
So the formation of a January 6th Commission has been stopped by a Republican filibuster. A bill creating a body to investigate the worst attack EVER on a federal building, an insurrection in which five people died, and we can't get it passed? I'm furious.
[If Dem:] It's crystal clear now that the Republicans are going to filibuster everything the Democrats try to pass. What are you all going to do about it? Because as far as I can tell we have one option: overturn the filibuster and lead. Otherwise we are looking at two years of gridlock and obstruction, and then our getting deservedly clobbered in the midterms. This can't happen.
[If GOP] At this point it seems that the Republicans are running on a platform of obstruction, greed, and lying to the American people. It's pathetic and treasonous. Shame on the Senator. S/he should step down now since s/he refuses to keep his/her oath to uphold the constitution.
Call Your House Rep
Hi, I'm a constituent. My name is_____. My zip code is ______.
I understand that more than 150 House Democrats from across the party spectrum have launched an effort to pressure Biden to include an expansion of Medicare—one of his campaign promises—in his infrastructure package. Their idea is to lower the eligibility age from 65 to 60, and expand Medicare benefits to cover dental, vision, and hearing. I strongly support this and want the Congressmember to as well. Thanks.
Extra Credit
a) If you live in CA (or even if you don’t) could you send a quick email for me? Eric Garcetti has engaged in some really unsavory behavior (outlined in the letter) and we are putting pressure on him to fix it. Click here https://tinyurl.com/writeeric, and please share the link with friends in L.A.!
b) Otherwise let's continue our campaign of writing to companies who are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and asking them to drop them. We will do Google today. Click here to get started.
Let’s Fight Voter Suppression!
Today from 3-4 PST I'll be doing my Jane Club Fight Voter Suppression phonebank. Will you join me? Training and camaraderie will be provided! We're calling into Texas to make a last-ditch effort to stop SB7, the voter suppression bill. RSVP here.
Can't make that one but want to help today? Joan's Democracy Cafe has a phonebank from 12-3 PST doing the exact same thing. Sign up here!
Resistbot Text!
[to your Senators] [h/T]
Hi, I'm writing as a constituent about gun violence in our country. It is totally out of control, and something must be done.
Namely, the Senate needs to pass universal background checks and expanded waiting periods on gun purchases!
An improved background check system might have prevented several recent mass shootings. One study found that 1-in-10 online gun purchases were made by individuals who would have been otherwise prevented by background checks due to rape, domestic violence, and other charges.
An enforced ten-day waiting period could cool dangerous impulses and give time for family and community to become aware of mass shooting plans – and help prevent them.
We must address the epidemic of bloodshed in our country, and these changes are a popular and common sense step in the right direction.
Please ask the Senator support and do whatever it takes to pass pass common sense gun safety laws, like universal background checks and expanded waiting periods on purchases. Thanks.
OK, all. You did democracy one more time. Thanks for that.
Have a fantastic long weekend and we’ll talk on Tuesday.
Much love.
Jess