Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
Big day! A vote to begin debate on the For the People Act (S.1) is likely happening this afternoon.
It’s important to understand that today the Senate is simply voting on whether to start debate on legislation to protect Americans’ voting rights. They’re not voting on any particular bill or policy. The GOP will filibuster this motion (to start debate). We know this. So don’t despair when it happens. Schumer is forcing them to go on the record. It’s the first step towards forcing Manchin and Sinema to make a choice.
After that, as Indivisible says, “what matters is that the Senate goes home for recess to their states and sees a big, bold nationwide movement of visible public events to demand democracy reform, no excuses.”
Or, as we like to say, what matters is that we make some noise. A lot of it.
This fight is just beginning. Patience and fortitude, friends.
We’ve got this.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I know the Senate will vote today on whether or not to start debate on the For the People Act. I want the Senator to vote yes, and continue to support this bill all the way through the process. Allowing attacks on our democracy to continue is not an option.
[If Dem Add] And if the GOP filibusters then Democrats must vote to abolish or reform the filibuster. Period. This bill is a must-pass.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I have two unrelated asks: first, I want the Congressmember to cosponsor H.J.Res.14 to abolish the Electoral College and enable the direct election of the president via the popular vote.
Second, I want the House Judiciary Committee to thoroughly investigate DOJ surveillance of members of congress during the previous administration. I’m sickened by Bill Barr’s corruption; it can’t go unaddressed. Thanks. [H/T]
Extra Credit
Post the below on twitter or FB (you can also go to this toolkit and choose a different one—there are loads of good ones):
We need to ensure this is a nation where every American can cast a ballot & every ballot is counted so that the will of the people prevails. Call your Senators NOW and demand they pass the #ForThePeopleAct 202-224-3121 or use this tool 👇 #FreedomToVote https://app.speechifai.tech/s/LDO57-WQPAp6_ng6jhAhkQ
Get On the Phones!
Can you commit two hours of your time this week to call voters about the For the People Act? This is the single most impactful thing we can do right now -- every shift generates dozens of phone calls to key swing senators that we will need to convince to pass the For the People Act through McConnell’s filibuster. Training is ALWAYS provided. Find a day that works for you here.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to all of your reps] [H/T]
Fewer than 1 in 5 kids who receive free or reduced-price lunch during the school year can access a summer feeding program. This leaves 19 million children without enough to eat when classes end and summer begins. But this year, Congress has a chance to help feed more children in the upcoming Child Nutrition Reauthorization process.
As someone who cares about kids and poverty, I urge Congress to invest in and strengthen programs that provide children with the nutrition they need to grow and thrive, particularly during out-of-school times by supporting the following bipartisan bills:
-- The Hunger-Free Summer for Kids Act of 2021 from Senators Boozman (R-AR) and Leahy (D-VT) makes it easier for kids to access meals if they are not able to get to a summer site.
-- The Summer Meals Act of 2021 from Senators Gillibrand (D-NY) and Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Young (R-AK) and Larsen (D-WA) improves access to summer meal sites by cutting down on the red tape needed to set them up.
-- The Stop Child Hunger Act of 2021 from Senator Murray (D-WA) and Representatives Hayes (D-CT) and Levin (D-CA) ensures kids who usually receive meals at school can get needed nutrition with a grocery card in the summer and during other school breaks.
Please support all three. Thanks!
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess