Hi, all, and happy Monday!
Hope you were able to get some rest this weekend. It’s hard to take downtime when the country is in an even greater uproar than usual, but one has to try.
Remember to breathe. Remember to stay in the day. Remember to focus on simple actions.
You’ll find plenty of those below.
We can do this. We can win. We can unroll the damage being done. Our job is to keep our heads down, do the work, and not quit before the miracle.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling once again to remind the Senator that I want them to vote yes on S. 4556, the Respect For Marriage Act.
Also, I understand that on July 27th Senator Markey sought unanimous consent to pass the Right to Contraception Act to protect every American’s fundamental right to access birth control—but Republican Senator Joni Ernst blocked it. This is outrageous. A bill protecting birth control access should be totally uncontroversial. I want the Senator to support it now. Will s/he?
Extra Credit ✅
Post this on your social media, please! [H/T demcast social media kit, with some editing by me]
Americans came just 3 votes short of the 60 needed to cap insulin at $35.
The GOP decided to prioritize big pharma over helping the 7 million+ Americans who need insulin.
Help us vote them out in November: https://tinyurl.com/adoptastatenow
https://share.demcastusa.com/s/UIPvakMFK9r5ta5HSnbLLg
Lobby For Better Gun Laws!
Is gun violence a top issue for you? You may want to attend the Newtown Alliance’s weekly “Lunch ‘n Lobby,” taking place every Monday at noon ET. You’ll spend the hour hearing about where critical legislation stands and then making calls to legislators together on Zoom. Right now they’re working on getting an Assault Weapons Ban passed, and they’d love more help. (50 Senate Republicans and 12 Senate Democrats are blocking the federal assault weapons ban bill from going to Biden’s desk. We have four weeks to gain more cosponsors, secure YES votes, and convince Leader Schumer to bring the AWB to the Senate floor for a vote.)
I know it’s too late to attend today’s, but I thought some of you might like to sign up for next week. And feel free to share with trusted friends!
Get Smart! 📚
The White House sent out an invitation to 4 different briefings this week, each one designed to explain a different aspect of the Inflation Reduction Act. I’ve been given permission to share these invitations with you, so here you go! Feel free to share with your trusted networks.
Briefing: How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Cut Costs for American Families with Special Guest Ron Klain, White House Chief of Staff
A catch-all briefing on the components of the Inflation Reduction Act
Date: Tuesday, August 16th
Time: 5:00 PM ET
RSVP: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_VskSVy3TQgaB8eO2g6dVnw
Briefing: How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Tackle the Climate Crisis and Bolster American Energy Security
Date: Wednesday, August 17th
Time: 2:00 PM ET
RSVP: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_WNJ5Of1pQimmhV7rugBrqw
Briefing: How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Cut Prescription Drug Costs, Lower Health Insurance Premiums and Expand Coverage with Special Guest Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Andrea Palm
Date: Thursday, August 18th
Time: 1:00 PM ET
RSVP: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_LfSsDsUVTxuSV5WvT-2qHQ
Briefing: How the Inflation Reduction Act Will Benefit Rural Americans
Date: Thursday, August 18th
Time: 3:00 PM ET
RSVP: https://pitc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_58SjeyOvS-SLh_4bkHK9zQ
Give 💰!
Blue Tent, an outstanding blog focussed on strategic giving for progressive causes, has two new posts about races they think should be a very high priority for donors. They’re both in Arizona and both for Democrats running against hard-core MAGAs, and, unlike their Senate counterparts, the candidates in question are extremely UNDERFUNDED compared to their GOP opponents.
The first candidate is Adrian Fontes, the Democrat running for Secretary of State against a rabid election denier and conspiracy theorist who CAN NOT win. Read the Blue Tent post about this critical race here and then give here.
The second is Kris Mayes, running for Attorney General. These races are SO IMPORTANT! Read Blue Tent’s post about the importance of this race here (and why it’s specifically critical for abortion rights here.) Then please consider giving Mayes a donation of any size here.
Finally, tell your friends! And sign up for Blue Tent! It’s an invaluable resource!
Postcard into PA! 🗳
Want to help us win in Pennsylvania?
I just found out Activate America has pro-choice-themed postcarding for John Fetterman (as well as for Matt Cartwright for Congress in PA 08 and Chris Deluzio for Congress in PA 17) ). You’ll need to provide your own postcards (I order mine here); they will send you addresses and a script. Mail by September 10th.
This is a great and easy way to help us win in Pennsylvania. Hope you can lend a hand!
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)
[to all 3 reps] [H/T] [quick send text SIGN PENGHD to 50409]
As your constituent and someone who is deeply concerned about the state of our democracy, I am writing to urge you to cosponsor the bipartisan Civics Secures Democracy Act [S. 879 / H.R. 1814] to expand access to American history and civic education.
I believe that this funding for American history and civics is critical, because it provides states and districts with the resources they need to effectively teach the subjects and prepare students to be informed and engaged participants in our constitutional democracy. Additionally, participation in the National Assessment of Educational Progress assessments will generate data on learning outcomes to help educators around the country better provide quality civic education.
Please sign on as a cosponsor of the Civics Secures Democracy Act, right away.
Thank you very much for your consideration on this issue.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess
awesome Im glad your getting rest,,,,you do so much to help out Jessica...Ive always known that about you from the first day I meet you. best,!
I'm a member and praise your work (and your trip to Nova Scotia!). But we readers need help.
1. what and why to call repeatedly our reps if they are as blue as is possible...gets old
2. Demcast sharing to FB or social media choices....not clear when I went to the website what to pick or how. I finally donated directly to the AZ Atty General race instead on his own website.
3. Blue Tent. I joined but I am not sure what that means I am getting that I don't already get from you.