Chop Wood, Carry Water 8/9

Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!

I don’t even know what to say anymore. Every time I think “This must be the most historical part of the historical period we’re living through,” something happens that blows the roof off of everything we’ve seen so far. Nothing should surprise us anymore, but I must confess that the last few days have been…unexpected. A massive climate bill. A former President’s property searched. A Biden-boosting “dark Brandon” trend exploding.

It’s almost like we’re dreaming.

But we’re not, and as far as we on this team go, none of it matters anyway.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: no matter what’s happening in the news—good, bad, depressing, elating, devastating—our work remains the same. Every day we wake up and take action; it’s part of our makeup, now, just like brushing our teeth.

Our actions aren’t contingent on the news; our actions shape the news.

So bravo to all of us on so much progress made. But let’s not let it make us complacent.

Let’s let it make us busier.

Call Your Senators (find yours here)

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

The Senate has passed so much excellent legislation this month. I’m so grateful. But there’s more work to do. I want the Senate to pass S. 4556, the Respect For Marriage Act. It’s already passed in the House and we want to see it made into law. Please ask the Senator to co-sponsor and push to pass it now. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here)

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

I’m calling again to ask the Congressmember to vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act now. This is very, very important to me.

I’d also like them to co-sponsor and fight to pass HR 2584, the Judiciary Act. Our Supreme Court has been co-opted by religious extremists. Americans have lost all faith in it. Rebalancing the court is the only way to restore our trust. Do it, please. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

This is easy and important.

You’ve all heard the recent horrible news about the ten-year-old girl from Ohio who was raped and impregnated and, because Ohio banned abortion after 6 weeks, had to travel to Indiana to terminate her pregnancy?

Well, as if all of that wasn’t bad enough, now the doctor who provided this poor child her abortion is under investigation.

The doctor’s name is Catilin Bernard. She’s an excellent, highly experienced medical professional.

In spite of the fact that Dr. Bernard did everything by the book and saved a child’s life, the Attorney General of Indiana, Todd Rokita, has decided to investigate her. 

This is the kind of situation where public pressure can really help, so please sign this petition asking Attorney General Rokita to stop the unwarranted investigation against Dr. Bernard.

Sign here. And please share.

Get Smart! 📚

This event later today sounds amazing—go if you can! Again, it’s today, Tuesday, August 9, from 8-9 PM ET.

If you've had a rock in your stomach since SCOTUS handed down so many horrifying decisions in June, then this meeting co-hosted by a coalition of national grassroots activist groups and featuring a very special guest is one you absolutely don't want to miss.

The media was forecasting a red wave for November, but everything changed post-Roe. Don't take our word for it. Hear directly from the founder of the New Democrat Network think tank, Simon Rosenberg, whose recent political talk (“A New, Bluer Election”) has inspired viewers, activated our defiance and lifted our hearts to WIN!

Simon will share his very latest data and analysis, and take questions. His message, in a nutshell: Poll after poll is proving that contrary to popular belief, this year is going to be just like the last 2 elections, decided by the overwhelming anti-MAGA majority in this country. He'll also share a quick intro to the actions you can take from home, wherever you are, or talking with swing voters in person.

Register here.

Give 💰!

Want to help Indigenous women win seats? Senate Circle is hosting what’s going to be a great fundraiser on Thursday, 8/11, at 7pm ET.

Here’s their description:

Inspired by the victory in Kansas? Ready for the next win? Please join us to support two inspiring indigenous women who may hold the key to passing the Women’s Health Protection Act in the next Congress, restoring Roe as the law of the land.

Former Alaska State Representative Mary Peltola, member of the Orutsararmiut Native Council, seeks to win the special election to fill the at-large seat of the late Rep. Don Young (R-AK). With Alaska’s new Ranked-Choice Voting and it’s pro-choice population, Peltola could win 45% of first round votes on August 16th, and crest the magic 50% in the second round as some first round voters drop off and some switch to her.

US Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, seeks to hold the seat she flipped in 2018. She likely faces her 2020 opponent in a tighter Biden +4.5 district. Voters in her district overwhelmingly voted for choice last week and are inspired by her life story of having been raised by a single mom who served in the US Army and of growing up to become a mixed-martial artist and attorney.

To buy a ticket (starting at $50) go here. Donations are by default split between the two candidates, but if you prefer to contribute to only one candidate, here is a link for each: Peltola and Davids.

Register Voters! 🗳

Want to help get more young people registered?

Join Third Act’s “Senior-to-Senior initiative” as they work to engage the nearly 4 million people who will turn 18 before this year’s midterm elections. Register for one of the Wednesday volunteer trainings with The Civics Center (running through September 7) and reach more schools as they gear up for High School Voter Registration Week September 19-23.

Please join one of these workshops. The next one is Wednesday, August 10, 2022. Sign up today! 

Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.)

[to all 3 reps] [H/T Robert Hubbell and Lawrence Tribe] [Quick send text SIGN PHRXVP to 50409]

While I’m glad that Congress is looking at reforming the Electoral Count Act, the new version as written has a fatal flaw: it fails to address the “independent state legislature” theory. In a recent Slate piece Lawrence Tribe, Dennis Aftergut and Erwin Cherminsky explain that Article II gives Congress the authority to enact laws to “determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes.”

Combining that authority with the “Necessary and Proper” clause, they add:

“Congress [could] state explicitly that no device enacted by any state legislature may override the way the state’s people have decided to designate the candidate of their choice. For good measure, Congress could state that the Constitution’s provision guaranteeing a “republican form of government” would be violated by conducting an election and then disregarding votes cast in that election based on alleged fraud in the absence of proof established in a court of law.”

Not only could Congress do this, it should. Without this change, the Electoral Count Act of 2022 is cannot protect us from extremists’ attempts to undermine our democracy. Thanks.

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

Talk tomorrow.

Jess