Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
It’s election day, so I should be brief.
But it’s also the day Joe Manchin and other Democrats dropped their “Freedom to Vote Act.” So I have to say a bit about that.
I’ve been trying to gather information on this bill, and it actually seems decent! Marc Elias of Democracy Docket--the lawyer leading almost every election-related lawsuit against vote-suppressing states--has this to say in his breakdown of the bill:
Put simply, if the new bill is enacted, more citizens will be able to register to vote, vote in person and by mail and have their votes counted. This is a very big step towards protecting our democracy.
There’s more about the bill and some great messaging guidance from the Declaration For American Democracy in this wonderful google doc.
What happens next? Joe Manchin leads the charge to find ten Republicans willing to vote for it. When that fails? We are back at the filibuster question. But with a critical difference: this is Manchin’s bill. He believes in it; he wrote much of it. Will he still refuses to carve out the filibuster in order to pass it when Republicans have once again stonewalled it?
It remains to be seen. But we know what we’ll be doing, don’t we?
The phrase “wall of noise” comes to mind…😉
Let’s go make one.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m glad Democratic Senators led by Joe Manchin have introduced the Freedom to Vote Act, which has most of the provisions I care the about in it. I want the Senator to support it wholeheartedly. [If Democrat add:] And when the Republicans filibuster it, which they inevitably will, I want Democrats to create a “carve out” in the filibuster to get it passed. There is literally no other choice. Thanks!
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I support HR 1470, the End Qualified Immunity Act of 2021. It is wrong to keep shielding law enforcement officers who maim, kill, and abuse their power in reckless ways. They must be held accountable. [H/T]
Second, I want the Build Back Better package to keep all of its strongest climate provisions--including getting rid of fossil fuel subsidies. Don’t water it down to please moderates. Our planet is in peril, and so are our children! Thanks.
🚨 Important TODAY Calls for CLIMATE! 🚨
This is an SOS from RL Miller of Climate Hawks Vote. She says:
This is bad: House Democrats are currently planning to keep most fossil fuel subsidies in the Build Back Better (reconciliation) bill.
These handouts for oil, gas, and coal have gotten in the way of real climate progress for too long, and as storms, fires, and drought grip the US from coast to coast, it’s time for them to go.
Call Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at (202) 224-6542 and say: “You promised an end to fossil fuel subsidies. Keep that promise. The House Ways & Means Committee kept most fossil fuel subsidies in its Build Back Better text released yesterday and now it’s up to the Senate to fix it.”
Call Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden at (202) 224-4515 and say: “You’ve been a champion in trying to end fossil fuel subsidies. The House Ways & Means Committee kept most fossil fuel subsidies in its Build Back Better text released yesterday, and now it’s up to the Senate to fix it.”
I just made both calls it took me under a minute.
Extra Credit
Post this on social media:
Hey CA, get that NO vote in!
✅ Never got a ballot? Go to a polling location; they'll issue you one.
✅ Not registered? CA has same-day registration! Go to your polling place and ask for help.
✅ Unsure where your polling place is? Go to vote.ca.gov
More Qs? 👇🏼
Get on the Phones for CA! 😎
➡️ Want to make some #StoptheRecall calls on your own time today?
Here is Activate America’s Recall Toolkit. It has all the information that you need to log into Call Hub and start making calls--if you’re trained.
➡️ If you’re not trained, Grassroots Dems has phonebanks at 1 and 4 today (I’ll be at the latter.) Sign up here! Let’s make this a win for the recordbooks!
Do Some Texting for CA! 😎
Movement Voter Labs has texting for the CA Recall (plus a couple of other great campaigns) right here!
Resistbot Text (new to Resistbot? Go here!)
[to President Biden] [H/T]
I’m writing to ask that you instruct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to immediately revoke the 404 water permit for Line 3. As Enbridge races to complete pipeline construction and water protectors continue to resist, now is the time for you to honor the treaties and use your power to halt construction.
According to the US Constitution, treaties are the “supreme law of the land.” The Line 3 pipeline directly violates Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights, preventing Anishnaabe communities from exercising guaranteed rights to hunt, fish and engage in cultural practices. Line 3 threatens the culture, way of life, and physical survival of the Anishnaabe people.
I also strongly condemn the violence against water protectors on the frontlines of the movement to Stop Line 3. A militarized police force has been assaulting water protectors using tear gas, mace, rubber bullets, and physical torture tactics. Protestors have been kept in jail for nearly a week, denied medications, held in solitary confinement and given inedible food. With the number growing daily, police have arrested over 700 water protectors for enacting their first amendment right to protest and defend the treaties.
As President, it is time that you respect Indigenous sovereignty, honor the treaties, and say no to climate disaster. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow.
Jess