Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
The courage and grit being shown by Texas Democrats, who have fled the state to prevent a quorum in the legislature—thereby at least temporarily blocking the passage of new voting restriction bills—is laudable. We should applaud them, share their story, and give, if possible, to the Texas Democratic Party.
And we should call our own Senators, vehemently demanding to know when they will show similar courage.
The time is now. If the For the People Act or any other voting legislation is to pass it’ll have to be soon. So please, no matter what you have going on, call.
A wall of noise now will create a stronger democracy tomorrow. So let’s create one…using our individual voices.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I know House Democrats will advance a new spending bill for the Department of Health and Human Services without the Hyde Amendment. I want the Senator to support this bill when it comes to them for a vote—I want the Hyde Amendment repealed.
Second, I want the Senate to pass the For the People Act and other voting rights legislation right now. It’s urgent.
[If Dem add:] Texas Democrats are courageously doing their part to stop voter suppression in their state, but we need federal legislation—not just S1 but also the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the DC Statehood bill. Senate Democrats need to act! If they have to reform the filibuster to get these bills passed then they should do that. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I support the American Family Act, legislation to permanently expand and improve the Child Tax Credit and make it a more effective tool for reducing child poverty and supporting families with kids.
Second, please ask the Congressmember to urge President Biden to lift the strict sanctions imposed on Cuba by Donald Trump. We should be offering humanitarian and vaccine assistance to the Cuban people, not continuing to impose cruel sanctions that add to their suffering. Thanks. [H/t]
Extra Credit
Sha’Carri Richardson and Brianna Rollins-McNeal should both be going to the Tokyo Olympics. But the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has used its archaic and destructive “War on Drugs” practices to arbitrarily suspend both of these Black women, putting their careers and livelihoods in jeopardy.
Let’s Win Races!
Want to help win big in Virginia in November? YAY! Big Tent’s summer-long letter writing campaign is here!
We’ll be sending EASY letters encouraging voters from underrepresented communities in Virginia to request their absentee ballots in advance of their November General Election. By encouraging voters who have historically been underrepresented in Virginia’s electorate to cast their ballots, we can help ensure the true preferences of the commonwealth’s people are reflected.
You’ll need a printer, paper, business envelopes, first class stamps and a couple of different colored pens. Each letter takes about 3 minutes to write.
Send an email to info@bigtentusa.org to let them know how many batches of 20 letters you’d like to send, and they will email you the letters and mailing addresses.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[To your HOUSE rep] [H/T]
It’s past time to pass transformational climate change legislation.
Reps. Clarke and Welch have introduced The American Renewable Energy Act of 2021, which establishes an ambitious renewable energy standard to require retail electricity suppliers to achieve at least 70% renewable electricity generation by 2030. This requirement begins at 20% in 2021 and gradually increases to 70% by 2030. The bill includes provisions to increase deployment of clean energy resources to every region of the country and ensure that investment and benefits are driven to communities most impacted by climate change.
Passing bold climate change legislation is a necessity and the American Renewable Energy Act has a real chance to be passed or added to an overall infrastructure/climate change legislation package. Please co-sponsor it. Thanks!
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess