TO MAKE THE SENATE WORK, WE MUST DUMP BOTH THE GOP AND THE FILIBUSTER

Jump to today’s actions:

Call the Senate
Call the House
Get 2020 Ready

Background

McConnell’s rules work for GOP and its donors but not for American people. He’s pushed through massive tax cuts for the rich and ultra-conservative judges, which require only majority votes, while COVID relief and help for American people requires filibuster-proof, 60-vote majority to reach Senate floor—although only majority needed for passage.

Electing Biden, flipping the Senate, and holding the House gives us chance to enact major structural democracy and economic reforms to ensure government works for all Americans. But they won’t become law unless Senate first removes from McConnell’s arsenal last remnants of the inherently undemocratic filibuster that allows minority in power to thwart will of majority.

Constitution’s framers required Senate supermajority vote for overriding presidential vetoes, impeachment, treaties, constitutional amendments—but not to legislate. For almost 200 years, in practice, Senate was governed by simple majority rule. Until McConnell weaponized filibuster to block Obama’s agenda, it was used mostly against civil rights legislation. Removing it through a simple rule change will reestablish Senate’s proper function—legislating.

We need to educate ourselves on filibuster’s evils to build momentum for change, work to get out the vote, and join Senator Merkley’s crusade to return the Senate to a functioning institution.

1. Call the Senate.

Script Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While a sweep in November will give Congress a chance to enact major reforms to ensure government works for all Americans, as the Senator well knows, nothing will pass until the Senate gets rid of the filibuster. Please thank the Senator for his years of tireless behind-the-scenes work convincing his colleagues of this necessity and ask him to keep up the momentum so that this becomes one of the new Senate’s first priorities. Additionally, I need him to

keep pushing for COVID relief
protect the sanctity of our election and the peaceful transfer of power
do everything in his power to prevent Barrett’s confirmation

SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While a sweep in November will give Congress a chance to enact major reforms to ensure government works for all Americans, nothing will pass until the Senate gets rid of the filibuster. Please ask the Senator to

immediately add his voice to Senator Merkley’s in building momentum for the necessity of this important reform so that this becomes one of the new Senate’s first priorities
keep pushing for COVID relief
protect the sanctity of our election and the peaceful transfer of power
do everything in his power to prevent Barrett’s confirmation
do everything in his power to prevent Barrett’s confirmation

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

Elections have consequences, and voters have the right to expect their government to enact the policies of the party winning the election. I am asking the Senator to put country over party by

agreeing to support filibuster reform in the next Congress
pushing Senator McConnell to allow the House’s COVID relief legislation to be brought up for a vote
committing to protecting the sanctity of our elections and the peaceful transfer of power
recognizing the right of the American people, through their votes, to choose Justice Ginsburg’s replacement, by voting against Trump’s nominee.

2. Call the House.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While a sweep in November will give Congress a chance to enact major reforms to ensure government works for all Americans, no House-passed legislation will pass the Senate until it gets rid of the filibuster. Please ask the Representative to

immediately add her voice to Senator Merkley’s in helping to build momentum in the Senate for this important reform
keep pushing for COVID relief
protect the sanctity of our elections and the peaceful transfer of power
demand that the Senate respect the right of the American people, through their votes, to choose Justice Ginsburg’s replacement, by voting against Trump’s nominee

Script for Greg Walden (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

Elections have consequences, and voters have the right to expect their government to enact the policies of the party winning the election. I am asking the Representative to put country over party by

committing to protecting the sanctity of our elections and the peaceful transfer of power
recognizing the right of the American people, through their votes, to choose Justice Ginsburg’s replacement, by urging GOP Senate colleagues to vote against Trump’s nominee

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While a sweep in November will give Congress a chance to enact major reforms to ensure government works for all Americans, no House-passed legislation will pass the Senate until it gets rid of the filibuster. Please ask the Representative to

immediately add his voice to Senator Merkley’s in helping to build momentum in the Senate for this important reform
keep pushing for COVID relief
protect the sanctity of our elections and the peaceful transfer of power
demand that the Senate respect the right of the American people, through their votes, to choose Justice Ginsburg’s replacement, by voting against Trump’s nominee

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While a sweep in November will give Congress a chance to enact major reforms to ensure government works for all Americans, no House-passed legislation will pass the Senate until it gets rid of the filibuster. Please ask the Representative to

immediately add his voice to Senator Merkley’s in helping to build momentum in the Senate for this important reform
keep pushing for COVID relief
protect the sanctity of our elections and the peaceful transfer of power
demand that the Senate respect the right of the American people, through their votes, to choose Justice Ginsburg’s replacement, by voting against Trump’s nominee

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

While a sweep in November will give Congress a chance to enact major reforms to ensure government works for all Americans, no House-passed legislation will pass the Senate until it gets rid of the filibuster. Please ask the Representative to

immediately add his voice to Senator Merkley’s in helping to build momentum in the Senate for this important reform
keep pushing for COVID relief
protect the sanctity of our elections and the peaceful transfer of power
demand that the Senate respect the right of the American people, through their votes, to choose Justice Ginsburg’s replacement, by voting against Trump’s nominee

Look up your rep.

3. Save Our Democracy.

Only 11 days before November 3! Get involved with Indivisible Oregon:

Elections Power Hour weekly strategy call Mondays at 5pm
Lots of phonebanks and trainings to Arizona and Georgia (our adopted states) led by Indivisible Oregon or recommended by us
Call eligible voters of color with Reclaim Our Vote.  Sundays 3-5pm
Already received training and ready to make calls on your own? Want some community and camaraderie? Find a phonebank lounge on the IO events page!