Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
In his newsletter today, Robert Hubbell shared the details of a recent meeting between NY Indivisible members and a staffer for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. I thought the gist was worth sharing. This person reported that:
1. S1 continues to be the singular focus for Senator Schumer. He is well aware that passing it is essential to protecting the right to vote in the critical 2022 midterms.
2. There are multiple, ongoing discussions behind closed doors about changing the filibuster. Leadership is focused on bringing appropriate pressure to bear on Senator Manchin and others in the Democratic caucus who are reluctant to eliminate the filibuster.
3. We need to pressure President Biden to publicly support changing the filibuster. (I put something doing just this in the Resistbot section today).
4. Senator Schumer wants a vote on S.1 by late July or early August—before the August recess.
Our pressure is working. And it must continue. I know we’re all distracted, hot, maybe even vacationing. But the fight is happening this month and there will be no re-dos. Please, even if you’re scared, even if you’re shy, even if you’re busy—we don’t get a second chance to save democracy.
Sign up to help. 💙
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m furious about the Exxon lobbyist who admitted that that company is actively working to gut climate legislation in President Biden’s infrastructure package. And I’m even angrier that at least 11 Senators* on both sides of the aisle are helping them. So I’m calling to ask for a few things: first, the Senator needs to fight to fully fund ALL of the climate provisions in the American Jobs Plan. Second, I want the Senator to take the #NeverExxon pledge and publicly commit to reject any closed-door meetings with Exxon lobbyists. Finally, I demand that Congress immediately investigate Exxon and other fossil fuel companies’ climate crimes and make them pay for their destruction. Enough is enough. Thanks.
*If your Senator(s) are Sinema, Coons, Kelly, Cornyn, Barrasso, Hassan, Manchin, Capito, Tester, Daines or Rubio they are one of the #Exxon11 and you should take them to task for it.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m furious about the Exxon lobbyist who admitted that that company is actively working to gut climate legislation in President Biden’s infrastructure package. And I’m even angrier that at least 11 Senators on both sides of the aisle are helping them. So I’m calling to ask for a few things: first, the Senator needs to fight to fully fund ALL of the climate provisions in the American Jobs Plan. Second, I want the Congressmember to take the #NeverExxon pledge and publicly commit to reject any closed-door meetings with Exxon lobbyists. Finally, I demand that Congress immediately investigate Exxon and other fossil fuel companies’ climate crimes and make them pay for their destruction. Enough is enough. Thanks.
Let’s Save Democracy! 🗽
Ready to make some calls to get S1 passed? Joan’s Democracy Cafe has two different S1 campaigns to choose from this Saturday from 4-6pm Eastern / 1-3pm Pacific:
Call West Virginia voters to patch them through to the office of US Senator Manchin, to urge him to co-sponsor the For the People Act (as he did in 2019). click here to prepare for West Virginia campaign
Call Arizona voters to patch them through to the office of US Senator Sinema, to urge her to modify the filibuster so that the For the People Act can pass. click here to prepare for Arizona campaign
To register for either Click here. You will be sent to different breakout rooms depending on which campaign you choose to do. Excellent training and support provided.
Let’s Win Races! ☎️
Virginia's 2021 elections will be the first statewide test of Democratic staying power since President Biden took office. The work to protect our communities and keep Democratic control of Congress and the White House begins now in Virginia. Can you help?
1) On Sunday from 3-5 EST Swing Left volunteers from across the country will make calls to voters in Virginia. New to phone banking? Don't worry! Before you start calling, they will offer a phone bank training. Sign up here.
2) Wonderful texting org Red 2 Blue is having a meeting on Wed, July 20, at 7 pm ET called “Why Virginia 2021 is critical & what you can do!” Please join them to discuss the candidate support Red2Blue is planning for Virginia and learn how you can get involved! Sign up here.
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[Send to President Biden] {Read why this is SO important here]
I want President Biden to publicly support filibuster reform and do so every day. We know Majority Leader Schumer supports it; we know most Democrats do. The thing that will push us over the edge (and convince reluctant Senators) is vocal support from the President.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. If we don't protect democracy nothing else the President tries to accomplish will succeed anyway. Passing S1 and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act must be the President’s top priority. Reforming the filibuster—and explaining why it’s necessary— must be something he talks about, stumps about, pesters Manchin and Sinema about, and never ever stops promoting.
I worked incredibly hard to help get President Biden elected. Please ask him not to let us down now. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess