Hi, all, and happy Friday.
I know. Rough news yesterday with the Brnovich decision. It was a gut punch, and it’s easy to feel like there’s no coming back from the damage.
But, as they say in AA, let’s not quit before the miracle.
We still have legislation that would fix most of this. It’s already passed in the House. We have a slim majority in the Senate. We have a Democratic president.
Passing S1 and HR4 isn’t going to be easy. It never was. But, if there is one tiny silver lining to this situation, it’s that yesterday’s ruling may give Sinema and Manchin the push they needed to get behind filibuster reform.
Will they shift for sure?
Only if we make them.
How do we make them? IF THEY REPRESENT us, we call them every day. If not? As I’ve said many times before: continued, loud, and unyielding pressure is necessary on ALL of our Senators. The pressure I put on Feinstein and Padilla, who are my Senators, will translate into pressure on wavering Senators like Manchin and Sinema.
So no matter who they are, call your Senators. Daily. Set an alarm in your phone. Legislators need to know that we’re not going to take this lying down. They need to sense the urgency—that it’s do or die time. And spread the word! Share this if it’s helpful, along with this link to a page of ways you can help.
At the same time, let’s start making noise about court expansion. Whether or not it’s realistically possible right now, I feel strongly that SCOTUS should hear the rumblings loudly.
Everything you need is below. And remember, it truly is darkest before the dawn. I know this is hard, but all of the best folks are on our side. The youth are on our side. The TRUTH is on our side.
Also? There are way more of us.
So let’s keep on keeping on, ignoring the voices saying that we’re doomed.
Have a great holiday weekend. 🎆 Talk to you on Tuesday.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First of all, I’m appalled by yesterday’s Supreme Court decision in Brnovich [pronounced Burnovich]. This is a five alarm fire. We need to pass federal legislation to protect our voting rights. The Senator needs to fight tooth and nail to pass S1, the For the People Act, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. [If Dem add:] And I fully support abolishing or reforming the filibuster to get it done.
Second, I support both the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan, and want them both passed in their most expansive forms. We need to create a much larger investment in the economy so people can get back to work with jobs that pay more. We also need to address the climate emergency and our childcare crisis. We have a chance to do all of that and more with these bills. Do NOT cut them down. This is the time to go big. [If Democrat add:] If it has to be done through reconciliation then do it. Americans are with you.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I want the Congressmember to co-sponsor the Judiciary Act, HR 2584, to expand the Supreme Court and ensure we have a fair and balanced Supreme Court. Our federal courts are radically imbalanced — not by accident, but by conservative design. It’s a disaster for our democracy and it’s time to fix it. [H/T and more info]
Extra Credit
Please email this to EPA administrator Michael Regan—ideally with a bit of personalization—at Regan.Michael@epa.gov. Or you can call and leave a VM. (202) 564-4700 [H/T]
Dear EPA Administrator Regan,
I’m writing to urge the Environmental Protection Agency's Pesticide Office to account for harms to soil organisms when it reviews pesticide risks.
The EPA currently uses the European honeybee as a surrogate for all terrestrial invertebrates. But this species spends none of its life in the soil, and cannot be adequately used to estimate toxicity or exposure to species that live or develop belowground.
The EPA should institute new data requirements and guidance for its ecological risk-assessment process to account for harm to soil organisms from pesticides. This new process must be accompanied by mitigations and restrictions on pesticide use to protect these organisms from harm.
Thanks.
[name]
[city, state]
Get on the Phones! ☎️
If you'd like to make calls about S1 with a group of volunteers, sign up for any of the guided phone banks on the calendar here (scroll down).
Take that rage and let it fuel you.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to your Senators] [H/T]
I’m writing to urge you to quickly confirm David Chipman’s nomination to run the ATF.
There has not been a permanent ATF Director since 2015. This is unacceptable. We cannot allow the only federal agency that enforces gun laws to lack leadership—especially in this moment, as our nation's gun violence epidemic rages.
2020 was the deadliest year for gun violence in decades. And so far, 2021 is on track to be worse. Every day, more than 100 American lives are stolen by gun violence. We do not have to accept this as inevitable. We know there are policies and programs that work to prevent senseless tragedy. What we need is courageous leaders who will prioritize keeping our communities safe.
As a gun safety expert and 25-year veteran of ATF, Chipman is exactly that kind of leader. He knows precisely what is required for ATF agents to do their jobs. He will ensure the laws already on the books are implemented, upheld, and enforced. Our nation needs a dedicated ATF director, and David Chipman is more than qualified.
Please get this done. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess