Chop Wood, Carry Water 8/25
Small deeds. Great acts.
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!
Yesterday was a good day. We saw the John Lewis Voting Rights Act passed in the House—which we largely expected—and the 3.5 trillion dollar Budget Resolution. The latter was less expected; in fact, we had real reason to fear that nine moderate Democrats were going to blow the whole thing up. They didn’t; the Democrats voted unanimously in support. As many observed immediately after, we underestimate Nancy Pelosi at our peril. She rarely fails, and this time she pulled off a glorious victory.
But so did we. WE made the calls. WE kept the pressure on. WE made it clear that failure wasn’t an option.
Lao Tzu said “Great acts are made up of small deeds.”
That’s what we’re doing here. And our small deeds are making a difference.
There’s more to do; the Reconciliation bill still needs to be passed in the Senate, and it won’t be easy. But make no mistake—yesterday was a good day for Americans, and if we keep up the work on our end I think we could see more great acts from these Democrats soon.
So let’s get to work one more time.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m thrilled that the John Lewis Voting Rights Act passed in the House yesterday, and I’m calling to urge the Senator to please support it when it comes to the Senate.
The need for legislative action is urgent. Please fight to pass this and the For the People Act as soon as possible. Thanks. [If Dem add:] And the Democrats should absolutely reform or abolish the filibuster in order to get this done. Thanks! [H/T]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m thrilled that the House passed HR4 and the $3.5T Budget Resolution yesterday. Did the Congressmember support both? [If yes thank. If no express disappointment.] Now I am asking them to prioritize passing the American Job and Families Plan—otherwise known as the human infrastructure bill.
Only once the legislative priorities in that package have been adopted by the House and the Reconciliation Bill has been passed in the Senate, do I support the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill recently passed by the US Senate.
[If Dem add:] I want to assure you that we have your back in this effort. Thanks. [H/T and lots more info]
Extra Credit
Vote Forward is asking us all to adopt 5 voters to help them reach their goal of millions of letters sent to voters in Virginia. I just signed up. Can anyone join me?
If you’ve never written for Vote Forward before it’s SO easy, and the letters are proven to increase turnout by up to 3.5%! All you need is a printer, some business envelopes, and some first class stamps*. I like to use a couple of different colored pens. That’s it! These letters will all be held and sent on the same day—September 18th.
*Stamp prices are set to increase by a few cents on August 29! If you hurry, you can buy Forever stamps at today’s rate at your local post office or at USPS.com.
Get on the Phones! ☎️
Activate America is phonebanking against the Newsom Recall twice a week, including today. Volunteers will be using their incredible dialer (my FAVORITE!) to call registered Democrats in 7 competitive districts and urge them to cast their ballot against the recall. And you get to leave VOICEMAILS! 👏🏼
These phonebanks are every Wednesday from 4:00 - 6:00pm Pacific, and every Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm Pacific.
Training and technical assistance is available. Please come on time for the training.
Sign up here and you will receive a "Toolkit" with all the information you need, and the Zoom link.
You don't have to live in California to join this effort!
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[To your DEM Senators] [H/T]
I respectfully urge you to eliminate the filibuster -- or at a minimum, reform it -- so that the ERA Resolution that has majority support in the Senate, can come to the floor for a vote.
Eliminating this “relic of Jim Crow” will not only allow us to enshrine the ERA in the Constitution, but also to preserve our democracy, expand not restrict voting rights, increase access to reproductive rights, end wanton gun violence, and fight for and win economic and racial justice, immigration reform, and deal with – not deny – climate change.
The Equal Rights Amendment, when added to the Constitution, will prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. With a bi-partisan Resolution to eliminate the time limit for ratification of the ERA pending in the Senate, the time is now to act. But in order to remove the time limit on the ERA, we must first eliminate the filibuster. I urge you to take bold action today to do just that.
P.S. Obviously eliminating the filibuster will also enable us to pass voting rights legislation, common sense gun laws, better environmental bills, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Equality Act, all of which I strongly support.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess