REAL CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION IS WITHIN REACH. FIGHT FOR IT!
Jump to today’s scripts:
BACKGROUND
Ida’s catastrophe, and the rest of this summer’s horrifying display of the power of climate change, demand that we act now. Fortunately, real action, backed by real money, is within reach.
Woven into the reconciliation and infrastructure bills are projects that will cut US greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.
Public support is solid, as 64% of Americans recognize climate change as an emergency. People have been baking under heat domes, swept away in mudslides, and running from homes lit by wildfires. And it is certain to get much worse.
All recent research supports the UN’s latest assessment, released earlier this month, that: “Climate change [is] widespread, rapid, and intensifying.”
Still, Republicans will try to strip the climate components from these bills during negotiations.
In the 50-50 Senate, two Democrats hold the keys. One is Joe Manchin, who earned his riches from coal. The other is Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema, whose motivations are often a mystery.
So, passing the infrastructure and reconciliation bills — with all climate change programs included — will be a fight. Again.
Call your Members of Congress now and tell them to fight to keep climate programs intact in both bills.
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 support the climate components of the reconciliation bill. Oregon’s summer, with heat domes, drought, and wildfires, is staggering confirmation of the urgency for immediate action.
- I also ask you to speak out about the need for people to be vaccinated. Our healthcare system is sinking under rumors, lies, and threats. Your voice is widely respected. At this critical time, please urge your constituents to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and end the suffering.
- And move quickly to protect renters from evictions, since the Supreme Court’s unconscionable decision will create more homeless amid the Delta surge.
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 support the climate components of the reconciliation bill. Oregon’s summer, with heat domes, drought, and wildfires, is staggering confirmation of the urgency for immediate action.
- I also ask you to speak out about the need for people to be vaccinated. Our healthcare system is sinking under rumors, lies, and threats. Your voice is widely respected. At this critical time, please urge your constituents to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and end the suffering.
- And move quickly to protect renters from evictions, since the Supreme Court’s unconscionable decision will create more homeless amid the Delta surge.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
- I support the climate components of the reconciliation bill. This summer’s heat domes, drought, and wildfire confirm the urgency for immediate action.
- I also ask you to speak out about the need for people to be vaccinated. Healthcare systems are sinking under rumors, lies, and threats. Your voice is widely respected. Please urge people to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and end the suffering.
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 support the climate components of the reconciliation bill. Oregon’s summer, with heat domes, drought, and wildfires, is staggering confirmation of the urgency for immediate action.
- I also ask you to speak out about the need for people to be vaccinated. Our healthcare system is sinking under rumors, lies, and threats. Your voice is widely respected. At this critical time, please urge your constituents to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and end the suffering.
- And move quickly to protect renters from evictions, since the Supreme Court’s unconscionable decision will create more homeless amid the Delta surge.
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 support the climate components of the reconciliation bill. This summer’s heat domes, drought, and wildfire confirm the urgency for immediate action.
- I also ask you to speak out about the need for people to be vaccinated. Healthcare systems are sinking under rumors, lies, and threats. Your voice is widely respected. Please urge people to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and end the suffering.
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 support the climate components of the reconciliation bill. Oregon’s summer, with heat domes, drought, and wildfires, is staggering confirmation of the urgency for immediate action.
- I also ask you to speak out about the need for people to be vaccinated. Our healthcare system is sinking under rumors, lies, and threats. Your voice is widely respected. At this critical time, please urge your constituents to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and end the suffering.
- And move quickly to protect renters from evictions, since the Supreme Court’s unconscionable decision will create more homeless amid the Delta surge.
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 support the climate components of the reconciliation bill. Oregon’s summer, with heat domes, drought, and wildfires, is staggering confirmation of the urgency for immediate action.
- I also ask you to speak out about the need for people to be vaccinated. Our healthcare system is sinking under rumors, lies, and threats. Your voice is widely respected. At this critical time, please urge your constituents to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and end the suffering.
- And move quickly to protect renters from evictions, since the Supreme Court’s unconscionable decision will create more homeless amid the Delta surge.
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 support the climate components of the reconciliation bill. Oregon’s summer, with heat domes, drought, and wildfires, is staggering confirmation of the urgency for immediate action.
- I also ask you to speak out about the need for people to be vaccinated. Our healthcare system is sinking under rumors, lies, and threats. Your voice is widely respected. At this critical time, please urge your constituents to get vaccinated, wear a mask, and end the suffering.
- And move quickly to protect renters from evictions, since the Supreme Court’s unconscionable decision will create more homeless amid the Delta surge.
3. Take Action
During the recess, you can attend a town hall, call, email, or write to your MoC, reminding him/her that Congress is running out of time to pass voting rights legislation and must do the following:
Publicly and consistently call for modification or elimination of the filibuster, without which voting rights legislation will never be enacted
Convince President Biden to use his bully pulpit to demand filibuster reform and passage of voting rights legislation
(if MoC is a Senator): Demand your senator pressure his colleagues, like Coons and Carper from Delaware, Manchin from West Virginia, and Sinema from Arizona, and other wavering Democrats, to choose democracy over the Jim Crow filibuster.
Further Reading:
A Hotter Future Is Certain, Climate Panel Warns. But How Hot Is Up to Us. New York TimesU.N. climate change report sounds 'code red for humanity' | Reuters
Exclusive poll: America catches up with climate science - Axios
Amid Extreme Weather, a Shift Among Republicans on Climate Change - The New York Times
Democrats’ last chance at a climate bill may be now - Vox
