Chop Wood, Carry Water 8/8

"There's nothing that passes in Congress that isn't the result of an enormous movement pushing things forward."

- U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal

Hi, all, and happy Monday.

My God. What a weekend. What a week. What a month!

I want you to really focus on the quote at the top of this page. Everything that’s just happened? The fantastic, unlikely, almost miraculous victories of the last few weeks, and particularly of yesterday?

These happened because of you. Because of your calls. Your letters. Your emails. Your social media posts.

Your hopeful actions.

Your persistence.

Your chopping wood and carrying water.

Y’all, this is what happens when we march in lockstep, do a little bit every day, and don’t give up. Democracy is indeed a slow and messy business, but it’s still working. We are making it work.

I’m so proud of you my heart could burst.

Let’s stay engaged, stay loud, and stay brave. When we do that we can’t fail.

Remember, we’re just getting started. 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 ______.

[If Democrat:] I want to thank the Senator for voting for the Inflation Reduction Act yesterday. I’ve called many times and demanded climate action and I’m gratified to see that we’re finally getting some. Please don’t stop fighting for our kids, for our planet, for working Americans, and for justice. We will have your back in November and going forward.

[If GOP:] I want to say how disappointed and appalled I am that the Senator voted against a bill that will lower drug prices for Americans, reduce the deficit, lower inflation, and start to address our climate crisis. And I’m especially livid that Republicans killed a provision that would have capped Insulin prices at $35 a month under private insurance plans. The Senator’s party no longer cares about anything but keeping themselves and their cronies rich. We’ll remember it in November. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I was thrilled to see the Senate pass the Inflation Reduction Act yesterday and I want to see it pass in the House as quickly as possible. Will the Congressmember support it? [If yes, thank. If no or unsure add:] I want them to. It will lower drug prices for Americans, make healthcare more affordable, reduce the deficit, lower inflation, and start to address our climate crisis. If the Congressmember votes no I will remember it in November.

Extra Credit ✅

Let’s call Chuck Schumer and thank him. What he’s just accomplished is remarkable.

(202) 224-6542 or (518) 431-4070 or (212) 486-4430

Say:

My name is_____ and I’m calling from _____. I’m calling Senator Schumer in his capacity as Senate Majority leader to say thank you and well played, Sir. We are truly grateful for the way he shepherded the Inflation Reduction Act through. Bonus points for sticking it to Mitch McConnell! Thank you for protecting America’s children from a climate catastrophe. Please don’t stop fighting for our kids, for our planet, for working Americans, and for justice. We will have Democrats’ back in November and going forward. Thanks.

Get Smart! 📚

Any of you who have done my Activism 101 workshop know that I tout “Friendbanking” as one of THE most powerful ways we can increase turnout on our side.

An organization doing incredible work with this right now is Red, Wine, and Blue, who is focussed on getting women to talk to their female friends and family in key states to make sure they vote blue. They have several “Great Troublemaker Turnout” trainings coming up, and I encourage everyone to attend one. (I think folks who don’t identify as female are also welcome).

RWB will provide you with all the training, tools and resources you need in this 30 minute training session.

Find a time that works for you here.

Win Races! 🗳

Here’s an easy and cool volunteer opportunity to help us win in swing states: the folks at Working America are sending letters to working class people in key states about kitchen-table issues such as health care, affordable housing, and worker pay.

“Over years of testing, these letters have proven effective at changing the way working people think about their civic engagement, and even who they ultimately vote for, by raising the salience of issues that labor-endorsed candidates win on,” says Working America. You can sign up to write letters for them here — please do!

Resistbot is still on vacation, as (technically) am I.

---

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess