Hi all, and happy Wednesday!
Good news: Melanie Stansbury won her special Congressional election in New Mexico yesterday by a landslide. That's reassuring for those of us who were worried Democrats might not turn out. Once she's sworn in Nancy Pelosi will have a four-member majority in the House. Needless to say, that margin is still vanishingly small, so let's ask ourselves again which 2022 race we're getting involved with, and then do it now.
In other news, the crisis in our democracy is coming to a head, and President Biden knows it. He called Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema out by name in a speech yesterday, and re-stated his commitment to getting the For the People Act passed no matter what. This is good, and we need to help in any way we can. Yesterday I did a phone bank calling voters in West VA--it was incredible! Between all of us we patched 100 people through to Manchin's office! You can help with this effort, and we NEED YOU! Go here to sign up.
Scary times, but we can prevail. Not by worrying, but by DOING.
So let's get busy.
P.S. If you’re still confused about the filibuster and why EVERYTHING comes down to abolishing it I did a simple explainer in my latest podcast episode. Listen here.
Call Your Senators
Hi, I'm a constituent calling for a couple of reasons today:
First, I urge the Senator to support the Equality Act, which would provide consistent and explicit protections for LGBTQ people from discrimination in employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service. The legislation has bipartisan support from business, civil rights, and political leaders.
Second, (yes this is the same as yesterday. Please do it.)
[If Dem] I want the Senator to publicly support abolishing the Senate filibuster. There will be no progress in the current Senate. We have to abolish the filibuster to break the gridlock that keeps us from enacting the important legislation needed to secure our democracy. Thank you!
[If GOP]: I want the Senator to know that because Republicans filibustered the January 6 non-partisan commission, I’ll be fully supporting filibuster reform and doing whatever I can to see it implemented. I’m shocked that a once-great party has been reduced to covering for insurrectionists. It was important for me to see that so clearly, and I’ll be taking action now. Thank you. [H/T]
Call Your House Rep
Hi, I'm a constituent calling for a couple of reasons today:
First, I want the Congressmember to support the Transit to Trails Act (H.R. 2924), which will provide new funding for public transportation options to public lands. This bill will help support outdoor equity and reduce climate pollution.
Second, I want the Congressmember to encourage Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi to create a House Select Committee to investigate the Jan. 6th insurrection. Thanks.
Extra Credit
Let's contact House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at her SF Office: (415) 556-4862 or her DC Office: (202) 225-496. We can also email her through her contact form.
We'll say:
"I'm calling/writing the Congressmember in her capacity as House Speaker. Now that Republican Senators have filibustered and ended debate on the January 6th commission, it is time to use your Democratic majority in the House to establish, by majority vote, a real and effective Select Committee to investigate the January 6th terrorist attack. Please appoint a Select Committee that will be able to issue and enforce subpoenas, hold public hearings and produce a final report to the American people. Thanks."
[H/T]
Let’s Win Races!
Now that the New Mexico election is behind us--WOOOT!--I'll be focusing on the VA primaries. And because I'm me, I'll be trying to help good environmental candidates win. Join me?
The Justice Dems are supporting three progressive candidates in the upcoming June 8 primaries, all of whom have taken their pledge to reject utility money and support a VA Green New Deal. Can you help us make sure they win? I'll be calling today at 3PM PST, but there are other shifts available, too. Sign up here.
Resistbot Text
[to your DEMOCRATIC reps only] [H/T]
Hi, I'm writing as a constituent to urge you to pass big, bold, green infrastructure plans that invest in America’s future and working class families. Pass legislation that creates an economy that works for us all, funded by requiring corporations and the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes. I urge you to not compromise on Republican demands such as funding infrastructure through tolls, increased gas taxes, and user-fees which disproportionately harm low- and middle-income families. Since McConnell has sworn that Republicans will never support our infrastructure plans, do not reduce or water them down in a futile attempt at bipartisanship. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! Thanks for giving ME hope today.
Talk tomorrow!
Jess