PROGRESSIVES’ POLICIES MUST BE INTEGRAL TO AGENDA OF CONGRESS AND WHITE HOUSE
Jump to today’s actions:
Background
Biden won by forging a broad coalition, but it was the massive turnout of non-white voters responding to his message of racial and economic justice, combatting the climate crisis, and healthcare for all that gave him crucial electoral college votes. Progressives helped hone these messages and worked tirelessly to get out the vote.
Progressive ideas enjoy greater support than Democratic candidates. Bold policies to improve people’s lives are broadly popular:
Florida passed $15/hour initiative
Arizona increased taxes on wealthy to fund public schools
Colorado passed 12 weeks of paid family leave
Most voters favored both Biden and BLM and thought structural racism an important issue
Majority favors national health care option and attacking climate crisis
These realities contradict the Democratic establishment’s narrative that House losses and failure to flip the Senate were caused by progressives’ talk of “socialized medicine” and “defunding the police.” In fact, progressive candidates won their races. That House leaders need their votes more than ever gives them leverage to demand leadership positions and promotion of progressive policies to improve the lives of working people and minority communities.
Our MoCs must ensure concerns of constituencies critical to Biden’s win are pushed in Congress and the White House.
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 Biden won by forging a broad coalition, the massive turnout of non-white voters responding to his progressive message gave him crucial electoral college votes. Progressives helped hone this message and worked tirelessly to get out the vote. To retain these voters’ loyalty and convince them their votes actually count, Congress must move quickly to address their concerns. A progressive COVID bill is a great place to start. I am also asking you to ensure that progressives like you are involved in setting the legislative agenda and are made part of the leadership team, and I want to thank you for continuing to push for progressive policies in the Senate’s hostile environment.
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 Biden won by forging a broad coalition, the massive turnout of non-white voters responding to his progressive message gave him crucial electoral college votes. Progressives helped hone this message and worked tirelessly to get out the vote. To retain these voters’ loyalty and convince them their votes actually count, Congress must move quickly to address their concerns. A progressive COVID bill is a great place to start. I am also asking you to ensure that progressives like you are involved in setting the legislative agenda and are made part of the leadership team, and I want to thank you for continuing to push for progressive policies in the Senate’s hostile environment.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
It is time for you to remember that you were sent to Congress to serve the needs of your constituents, not those of Trump or McConnell. Voting for a progressive COVID bill is a great place to start. Your constituents cannot wait until the next Congress for relief; they need it immediately. I hope that you can rise to the occasion and do what is right.
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 Biden won by forging a broad coalition, the massive turnout of non-white voters responding to his progressive message gave him crucial electoral college votes. Progressives helped hone this message and worked tirelessly to get out the vote. To retain these voters’ loyalty and convince them their votes actually count, Congress must move quickly to address their concerns. A progressive COVID bill is a great place to start. I am also asking you to ensure that progressives like you are involved in setting the House’s legislative agenda and are made part of the leadership team, and I want to thank you for continuing to push for progressive policies.
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].
Although you are on your way out, in the waning days of this legislative session I would hope you remember you were sent to Congress to serve the needs of your constituents. Voting for a progressive COVID bill is a great place to start. Your constituents cannot wait until the next Congress for relief; they need it immediately. I hope that you can rise to the occasion and do what is right.
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 Biden won by forging a broad coalition, the massive turnout of non-white voters responding to his progressive message gave him crucial electoral college votes. Progressives helped hone this message and worked tirelessly to get out the vote. To retain these voters’ loyalty and convince them their votes actually count, Congress must move quickly to address their concerns. A progressive COVID bill is a great place to start. I am also asking you to ensure that progressives like you are involved in setting the House’s legislative agenda and are made part of the leadership team, and I want to thank you for continuing to push for progressive policies.
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 Biden won by forging a broad coalition, the massive turnout of non-white voters responding to his progressive message gave him crucial electoral college votes. Progressives helped hone this message and worked tirelessly to get out the vote. To retain these voters’ loyalty and convince them their votes actually count, Congress must move quickly to address their concerns. A progressive COVID bill is a great place to start. I am also asking you to ensure that progressives like you are involved in setting the House’s legislative agenda and are made part of the leadership team, and I want to thank you for continuing to push for progressive policies.
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 Biden won by forging a broad coalition, the massive turnout of non-white voters responding to his progressive message gave him crucial electoral college votes. Progressives helped hone this message and worked tirelessly to get out the vote. To retain these voters’ loyalty to the Democratic Party and convince them their votes actually count, Congress must move quickly to address their concerns. A progressive COVID bill is a great place to start.
3. Save the Senate: GA Run-Offs in January.
Georgia on your mind? We know you're excited to get to work on the upcoming Senate elections in Georgia.
Indivisible Oregon is partnering with Swing Left to write letters and with Reclaim Our Vote to make phone calls. (Reclaim Our Vote postcards are finished, but they are ow making crucial calls to Georgia voters in rural areas who are likely to have been disenfranchised.). Go to https://www.indivisibleor.org/events for information about how to join with us.
Also, those on the ground in Georgia need money. You can donate to:
GA SENATE CAMPAIGNS, which will distribute your contribution among the two Senate campaigns and Fair Fight: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/georgiasenate
RECLAIM OUR VOTE, which is reaching hard-to-reach voters in rural Georgia: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/reclaim-our-vote-preparing-for-2020-fundraising-campaign/
RAPHAEL WARNOCK CAMPAIGN: https://warnockforgeorgia.com/
JON OSSOFF CAMPAIGN: https://electjon.com/
FAIR FIGHT GEORGIA SENATE https://GASenate.com
4. Sources
Criticized by moderates and pressured by their base, liberals fight for a voice in the Democratic Party
Why Did So Many Americans Vote for Trump?
Progressives are an asset for the Democratic Party. It should treat them that way.
What a Biden-Harris administration should prioritize on its first day
Where do progressives fit in Joe Biden’s Democratic Party?
Alexandria Ocacio-Cortez on Biden’s Win, House Losses, and What’s Next for the Left
