Chop Wood, Carry Water 8/29

All election, all the time!

Hi, all, and happy Thursday!

This is going to be a slightly shorter newsletter than usual, since, quite frankly, I’m finding it difficult to source Congressional actions right now. Everyone seems almost monomaniacally focussed on the election—which is probably good—and Congress is still out of session; they will be for another week.

When Congress does return we’ll have lots to do, as Republicans have once again delayed passing spending bills until the literal last minute; when they return we’ll have precious little time to get a Continuing Resolution passed in order to avert a government shutdown.

In the meantime, however, I’ve got no calls for you again!

On the election front, however, I’ve got more actions than I can fit in this newsletter. Fortunately, I have 12 separate state-centric newsletters with more engagement opportunities specific to those states, and you can subscribe to any or all of them! While these newsletters have been sporadic at best over the last year or so, I have finally hired someone to help me, and her main job is getting them active and well-stocked with actions to take. She’s also updating and filling out the resource documents that come with each newsletter. So please, consider “adopting” a state (or more than one) and committing to taking action there. I promise there’ll be more action on these lists than there has been in the next few weeks.

If you can upgrade to a paid subscription to help me pay for this new staffer, by the way, I’d be hugely grateful. And if you are a paid subscriber thank you! You may think your $5/month doesn’t matter, but it’s what pays my bills and now pays Una’s bills, too. Paid subscribers are absolutely indispensable to my work. Thank you.

One last thing: for those of you trying to find activism groups in your area, Indivisible just announced that public All-In for Harris Action teams have been added to their searchable group map. So check it out—you’ll find not just local Indivisible groups but local Harris-Walz action groups, too—and please consider sharing it on your social media to get friends connected with their local teams! 

OK, all. Let’s get to work!

P.S. — If you like good news videos here’s my latest roundup on the election—super fun!

Get Smart! 📚

The Center for American Progress has been doing an INCREDIBLE job unpacking what Project 2025’s policy proposals would actually mean for everyday Americans. As their policy experts break down how Project 2025 policies will harm all Americans, they want to invite you to submit your outstanding questions so they can answer them in upcoming newsletters. (I also highly recommend signing up for their Spotlight Project 2025 newsletter—it’s outstanding.) So ask away!

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS

JOIN THEIR SPOTLIGHT PROJECT 2025 NEWSLETTER

Spread the Word! 📣

The One Dem Minute Film Festival's Finalist Screening & Awards Ceremony is this Sunday, September 1, 5:00PM PST / 8:00PM EST -- and you're invited to watch live on YouTube! 30 films that will inspire Americans to vote for Democrats, all 3 minutes or less, will be shown. Their guest speaker will be Laura Friedman, Democratic candidate for Adam Schiff's House seat; Nashville country-rock artist Gwen Levey (known for the viral hit "Barefoot & Pregnant") will also perform!

Visit onedemminute.com/events on Sunday for the livestream link.

And from Labor Day until Election Day, the festival invites everyone to be "Digital Warriors," distributing your favorite One Dem Minute films far and wide via email and social media! All content will be available starting September 2 at onedemminute.com/thefilms.

Give 💰!

Folks, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be one of many speakers—all of whom are incredible—tonight at Run with Her, a virtual event hosted by Run For Something. 🙌🏼🙌🏼 It's a free event to celebrate and support AMAZING women running for office down ballot. (I’m putting it in the “Give Money” section because you CAN give when you sign up, or tonight. But again, that’s optional.)

I really can’t say enough about the women who’ll be speaking. Deeply inspiring, every one. I guess Janelle Monae was just added. Cool! You won’t want to miss it.

Please come tonight, Thursday, Aug 29 at 8pm ET! Register here. It's going to be 🔥🔥🔥

Win Races—call! 🗳

Please join me and climate champion Bill McKibben at the inaugural meeting of Calls For Climate on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 5PM PT / 8PM ET.

Four groups -- Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Climate Hawks Vote, Food and Water Action, and Friends of the Earth Action -- are joining forces to turn out thousands of calls to help elect Congressional climate champions. We'll be making calls every Tuesday on behalf of six selected candidates, all of whom are in red-to-blue flippable seats, with the idea of delivering a Congress that will work with the Harris-Walz administration instead of obstructing it. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!

We know that phonebanking works. In an Arizona primary July 30, Climate Hawks Vote and Food & Water Action phonebanked for youth climate leader Yassamin Ansari -- and she won by 39 votes out of over 40,000 cast. WOW! Now it's time to get to work in the general election.

On Sept. 3 we’ll explain Phone Banking 101 to folks who are energized but new to activism, then transition to phone banking for one of our candidates. It’ll be fun and inspiring. Please come!

Sign up here!

Win Races—Knock Doors!

Are you thinking about canvassing, but don't feel quite ready? 

Attend Bay Area Coalition’s Yes, You Can(vass)!  Virtual workshop to learn all you need to know about knocking on doors. It happens every Tuesday!

Then check out Activate America’s regularly updated canvassing guide with opportunities in swing states and districts across the country!

---

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

Talk soon.

Jess