CONGRESS EDGES CLOSE TO A TRANSFORMATIVE DEAL

Daily Action

Sep 14

PRESIDENT biden’s $3.5 trillion budget (aka, the “reconciliation bill”) is a progressive’s dream

QUICK READ: The budget-neutral bill would overhaul our health care, immigration, education, and tax laws. It is human infrastructure, largely paid for by taxing the rich. One person stands in the way of advances in child care, and elder care, and massive climate actions and much, much more. Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, publically vowed to vote against it. His suggestion is to cut it in half, at least.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

Action One: Call the Senate
Action Two: Call the House
Action Three

BACKGROUND

The House plans to vote on Sept. 27 for a recovery package some call a transformative new New Deal.

It contains initiatives for child care, elder care, climate projects, education, paid family and medical leave, shrinking the racial wealth gap, and a new tax policy that demands the super-rich and corporations finally pay taxes. And much, much more.

But it’s in trouble. An army of lobbyists has stormed Congress to protect special interests.

And Sen. Joe Manchin (D) said Sunday that he is a “hard no” when the bill comes up for a vote.

The West Virginia Democrat argues it’s too costly and would stoke inflation. He suggests a $1.5 trillion ceiling. That would give lobbyists a hefty win and gut the bill.

Manchin’s stunt is disingenuous.

The $3.5 trillion is total spending over ten years. And that amount is paid for by taxing the very wealthy (raising $2.9 trillion alone) and cutting corporate welfare.

That money would be pumped back into the economy, creating well-paying jobs and benefiting everyone.

We must push Congress to pass the entire bill, not one penny less, and prove that Congress can work for everyone, including the poor and middle-class.

ACTION One: 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].

Thank you so much for fighting for and strengthening the budget-neutral reconciliation bill. Now please fight just as hard to convince your colleagues that it’s vital. At the same time, you must kill the filibuster and pass voting rights protections.

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].

Thank you for your excellent work strengthening the reconciliation package, and for conferring so closely with Sen. Manchin. America needs this bill, the whole bill, and one Senator shouldn’t stand in the way. I am also asking you to kill the filibuster and pass voting rights protections.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

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

It’s shocking that you can’t back a budget-neutral bill that would help us all, simply to show you’re more of a Republican than an American.

ACTION TWO: Call the House.

Look up your rep.

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 am deeply grateful for your work on anti-poverty programs and thank you for your work on the reconciliation plan. Please fight to keep it intact.

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].

It’s shocking you can’t support a (budget neutral) bill that would help so many in your district, simply to show you’re more a Republican than an American.

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 am deeply grateful for your work on the Ways and Means Committee to produce a budget-neutral reconciliation bill that helps all Americans and is paid for by a fair tax system. This bill is our shot at transforming America.

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].

Thank you for fighting for a better transportation package in the reconciliation bill. Now please keep making the case to the public about why this entire bill is essential.

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 $3.5 trillion budget-neutral bill which would allow our extraordinarily high drug prices to be negotiated so that all drugs are affordable. Do not kill this bill.