Chop Wood, Carry Water 7/19 🪓

Find this GIF at Into Action.

Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!

I’m in a meeting so I’ll keep this quick.

There are lots of frustrating, angering, and even heartbreaking things happening in the news right now. Below we will try to address a few of them. Remember—we can’t change everything that’s wrong in the country, but that doesn’t absolve us of the responsibility to do our part. That’s why we’re here! Our many small actions, taken together, can carry surprising force.

So make these calls, please, and then try to let go of the outcomes. Be present in your day. Enjoy the people you love. Find things to be grateful for.

That’s the road to mental health and the road to change. We want both!

Sending love as always. Let’s get to work.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

First, I understand that the Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider legislation by Senator Whitehouse, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act, that would require the Supreme Court to establish a new code of conduct for justices, set firmer ground rules for recusal from cases, create a new investigatory board and promote transparency about ties with those before the court. I expect the Senator to support that legislation when it comes to the Senate floor. Will s/he?

Second, I know Democrats are also re-introducing the Freedom to Vote Act this week. I support it wholeheartedly and I expect the Senator to as well. Thanks.

Call Your House Reps

I understand that a group of Republicans in both the House and Senate introduced a bill, the Real Emergencies Act, to prevent President Biden from declaring a climate emergency. I find this enraging. We are in a climate emergency. President Biden should absolutely be declaring one. I can’t understand for the life of me why Republicans would oppose it. Please vote no on this bill and please push President Biden to declare a climate emergency now. Thanks. [H/T and more info]

Extra Credit ✅

Let’s call Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards at (225)342-7015 about the children being held at Angola prison with no air conditioning in horrific heat. I said:

I’m calling out of grave concern for the children who are being held at Angola prison in cells that are reaching 133 degrees. These cells have no air conditioning and hardly any windows. These kids are going to die if they’re not transferred. The Governor is a Catholic. How can he allow this to continue? Please ask him to move these children immediately. There is no time to spare. Thanks.

The operator put me through to constituent services. The very nice lady I spoke to there didn’t even ask my address. She just took my message. Please call.

Extra Extra Credit ✅✅

Let’s call the Department of Justice comment line (202-353-1555) about this appalling new report of abuses at the Texas border.

Say something like:

I’m calling about the news reports about the Texas Department of Public Safety’s inhumane treatment of migrants attempting to cross the border. The reports include claims that troopers pushed children into the river and denied them drinking water, even in extreme heat. Razor wire in the Rio Grande is lacerating people, causing life-threatening injuries and even a miscarriage. It’s ghastly. The TDPS is literally murdering immigrants at Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s orders. The federal government needs to intervene. These are human beings; they can’t be treated like this. Do something. Thanks.

Get Smart! 📚

Building Bridges for America is sponsoring virtual training sessions to help folks get comfortable talking with voters. 

“Learn to understand and break through to people who may disagree or not care. Get the skills to build up the muscles to keep your cool and have effective conversations. This session and accompanying workbook will give you the practice you need so you can connect with all voters.”  Virtual events are being held in September and in October.  

Let’s click here to sign up for this free training and find ways to help get the word out. 

[H/T

Rogan's List

] 

Spread the Word! 📣

Please help amplify this!

SHOT/CHASER: MAGA Republicans’ Infrastructure Hypocrisy Knows No Bounds: 

It wasn’t enough for MAGA Republicans to take credit for President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds AFTER voting and railing against them, but now they’re back in Washington to ONCE AGAIN propose deep cuts to critical infrastructure funding for communities that need it most. Read more from the DNC War Room.

Win Races! 🗳

Someone wrote me yesterday and asked if I had a list of volunteer opportunities in Ohio. Y’all—you KNOW I do. It’s here. Everything I know of is on it: every phonebank, every writing campaign, places to donate—all of it.

Also Activate America is putting out a last call for postcard writers into OH. To ensure that all postcards reach voters by Election Day, you must request your postcard lists by this Friday, July 21st, and mail the postcards by July 27th. This ensures that they will be received by voters before the August 8th election. Please take some addresses if you can.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[to your Senators] [H/T] [Quick send: text SIGN PTHXTA to 50409]

As your constituent, I am urging you to reject the harmful attacks on LGBTQ servicemembers, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and environmental justice that were included in the House version of the NDAA. I also urge you to require audits to prevent excessive profits by military contractors.

Diversity and inclusion provisions strived to improve our armed forces by making our service members feel welcomed regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Attacking them now is not only a way for extremists to push their unpopular ideologies onto service members, but it also lowers morale.

As we are currently facing the hottest summer on record both globally and here in the U.S., everything possible must be done to mitigate climate change not just for our future, but for all those who come after us.

As you consider the NDAA, I urge you to reject these measures -- and support bipartisan efforts to audit the Pentagon and begin to address price gouging by corporate contractors. Please keep me updated on your work in this area. Thanks.

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OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess