SEN. MERKLEY DEMANDS CLIMATE PRIORITIES IN RECONCILIATION BILL
Jump to today’s scripts:
BACKGROUND
Masssive voter pressure urged so Congress addresse climate change this fall
You’ve heard Smokey the Bear say “only you can prevent forest fires.” Senator Jeff Merkley might rewrite that slogan into “only you can slow the climate crisis.”
And you do that by leaning on your representatives in Washington.
At an online town hall Monday, sponsored by the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Merkley repeatedly urged more pressure “OF the electorate - ON the elected” about a climate emergency the U.N. has declared a “code red for humanity”. The latest UN report says the world is rapidly running out of time to slow man-made global warming.
Merkley is among those wanting a clean energy plan in the reconciliation bill that Congress will deal with when its summer recess is over. But he warns that the bill is “not nailed down.” He hopes for “a lot of environmental pressure to close the deal in September and October” on Congress as well as on a President who’s sympathetic to climate concerns yet keeps saying yes to fossil fuel projects.
Merkley says America is at an environmental “pivot point” and what we do this fall is “really important to prove our leadership in the world.”
MERKLEY’S WISH LIST: Renewable energy, electric cars and charging infrastructure, electric (not diesel) buses, rebuilding indigenous villages and fishing sites along the Columbia River, and making forests more resilient against wildfires.
1. Call the Senate.
Script for 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].
I’m calling to thank you for taking such a strong stand for our planet, because climate change is getting worse, and it’s never been this hot here in Oregon! I agree, measures to slow global warming MUST be included in any reconciliation bill. It’s more urgent than ever to slow the climate crisis and I hope your Senate colleagues agree. Please also urge President Biden to take the big steps we need. We’re running out of time!
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].
I’m calling to thank you for your strong stand for our planet, because climate change is getting worse! It’s never been this hot here in Oregon! Measures to slow global warming MUST be included in any reconciliation bill. It’s more urgent than ever to slow the climate crisis and I hope your Senate colleagues agree. Please also urge President Biden to take the big steps we need. We’re running out of time!
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Climate change is getting worse, and it’s never been this hot here! Measures to slow global warming MUST be included in any reconciliation bill. It’s more urgent than ever to slow the climate crisis. We’re running out of time!
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].
I’m calling to urge you to take an even stronger stand for our planet, because climate change is getting worse, and it’s never been this hot here in Oregon! Measures to slow global warming MUST be included in any reconciliation bill. Please also urge President Biden to take the big steps we need. We’re running out of time!
Script for Cliff Bentz (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].
I’m calling to urge you to take a stronger stand for our planet because climate change is getting worse. It’s never been this hot here in Oregon! Measures to slow global warming MUST be included in any reconciliation bill. Please also urge President Biden to take the big steps we need. We’re running out of time!
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].
I’m calling to urge you to take an even stronger stand for our planet, because climate change is getting worse, and it’s never been this hot here in Oregon! Measures to slow global warming MUST be included in any reconciliation bill. Please also urge President Biden to take the big steps we need. We’re running out of time!
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].
I’m calling to urge you to take an even stronger stand for our planet, because climate change is getting worse, and it’s never been this hot here in Oregon! Measures to slow global warming MUST be included in any reconciliation bill. Please also urge President Biden to take the big steps we need. We’re running out of time!
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].
I’m calling to urge you to take an even stronger stand for our planet, because climate change is getting worse, and it’s never been this hot here in Oregon! Measures to slow global warming MUST be included in any reconciliation bill. Please also urge President Biden to take the big steps we need. We’re running out of time!
3. Take Action
During the recess, it is important to impress upon your Members of Congress (MoC)
the importance of passing voting rights legislation
The need for your MoC to publicly and consistently call for modification or elimination of the filibuster, without which voting rights legislation will never be enacted
The need to get President Biden to agree to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and passage of voting rights legislation
So, find a town hall where you can express your views or contact your MoC regularly with these demands.
FURTHER READING:
Merkley vows to continue fighting for robust reconciliation bill
U.N. climate change report sounds ‘code red for humanity’
Merkley sounds alarm on climate after IPCC report
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/following-ipcc-report-release-merkley-sounds-the-alarm-on-climate-2021
