Hi, all, and happy Monday.
Hope you had a lovely weekend!
A friendly tip to anyone new to making calls: I keep my representatives’ phone numbers in my contacts. And not just their DC office numbers, but all of their district offices as well (Senators typically have several district offices; Congressmembers have one or two). I find it’s easier to get through on the district lines, and our calls count the same no matter what office we contact. You can find district office phone numbers by going to your elected representatives’ official web pages and clicking on “offices.”
Phone shy? Leave a voicemail after hours! Just make sure to include your full name and zip code.
You can also find a “contact me” form on your representative’s web page. Since you must enter all of your personal information to send an email they will know you’re a constituent and “count” your comment. Most feel that a call is more powerful, but an email to their page or a Resistbot letter (text RESIST to 50409) is almost as good.
Now let’s get to it! Thank you all for your efforts to make our country better! 🗽
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, we need Congress to address our current voting rights crisis with immediate action by passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the For the People Act. [If Dem add] Don’t let the filibuster stand in the way.
Second, please ask the Senator to push President Biden to nominate a climate leader as the Federal Reserve Chair. Last week, the European Central Bank announced it will incorporate climate into its policy-making decisions across Europe. We need to do the same.
Finally, I want the Senator to co-sponsor and support the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act (S.874). Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I want the Congressmember to help protect public health and support The federal No PFAS in Cosmetics Act. This crucial legislation will eliminate dangerous "forever chemicals" from cosmetics and personal care products nationwide.
Second, I know the House is considering five bills designed to rein in big tech companies and loosen their hold on digital industries. I know they’re not perfect and they don’t go far enough, but I want the Congressmember to support them.
Finally, I want the Congressmember to co-sponsor and support the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act (HR 2038). Thanks.
Get Educated!
I LOVE Future Now Fund—many of you remember that their video about why state elections matter played a prominent role in my Activism 101 webinar.
Today they and The Next 50 are hosting a conversation with Texas State Representatives Jasmine Crockett, Gina Hinojosa, and James Talarico to understand how attacks on voting rights in Texas represent an urgent call to action from the frontlines of defending our democracy -- the states.
This webinar is tonight, and if you can make it you should.
What: Under Attack: Your Right To Vote and What’s At Stake in The States
When: Monday, July 19, 2021, at 8 PM EST
Get on the Phones! ☎️
The folks at the Center For Common Ground, an amazing voting rights organization, will be on Zoom as usual this Tue, July 20 (5 to 7pm ET) to call voters of color in Georgia and ask them to call their state representatives demanding transparent and fair redistricting (for the US House, Georgia State Senate, and Georgia State House).
They will also continue calling voters of color in Arizona and asking them to call Senators Sinema and Kelly to modify the filibuster and pass the 'For The People Act' so we can guarantee everyone's right to vote.
Can you join them? They will train you first!
Other Center for Common Ground phonebanking opportunities can be found here.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to all 3 reps] [H/T]
The American Rescue Plan, passed in March, provided nearly $40 billion to help child care providers keep operating through the pandemic and pay their workers. This is a critical start in addressing the child care crisis in America, but much more needs to be done.
The Biden administration’s American Families Plan aims to invest in child care and early childhood education as part of the nation’s human infrastructure, sending $225 billion into federally supported child care programs and $200 billion for voluntary preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds.
Under Biden's plan, the cost of child care would be capped at 7 percent of a family’s earnings for millions of working families. The Biden plan would save an average family $14,800 per year. The increased availability of quality child care would allow 1 million parents (mostly mothers) to enter the labor force.
Child care and pre-school will help to rebuild our economy now, and will help children throughout their lives. Long-term research shows that every dollar invested in high quality programs serving children from birth through age 5 resulted in $7.30 in benefits: from children’s better health, better education outcomes, higher earnings as adults, and reduced likelihood of engaging in criminal activities.
I am counting on you to ensure these critical provisions become law. Families can't afford the cost of child care and pre-school and child care workers are long overdue for a wage increase.
Thank you, for prioritizing fixing our broken child care and early education system.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! Bravooooooo!
Talk tomorrow.
Jess