Vote "no" on the infrastructure bill tomorrow

Daily Action
Written By Barbara Isaacman

Progressives must hold Pel0si to her promise linking the infrastructure bill to Biden’s social infrastructure and climate bill. 

QUICK READ: Progressives have linked the infrastructure bill to Biden’s social benefits and climate response bill. Separating the two, as Pelosi has done, endangers a once in lifetime opportunity to transform government, the economy, climate action, and make the rich pay for it. 

TAKE ACTION NOW:

BACKGROUND

Tomorrow’s vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill (BIF) must be defeated if it is not linked to the passage of President Biden’s Build Back Better reconciliation bill.

The issue is simple, although Congressional choreography can be confusing. House Progressives promised that they would support the $1 trillion BIF bill  but only after the Senate passed Biden’s social benefits and climate bill. Senate Democrats and House leadership agreed to this sequence.

While it is risky, Progressives must stand strong. 

Republicans will scream, “Democrats can’t govern.” 

Some “centrist” Democrats will also cry foul. 

Now, House Speaker Pelosi has publically decoupled the two bills and scheduled a vote on BIF tomorrow. If the stand-alone BIF bill passes, the leverage needed to ensure Biden’s social and climate bill passes evaporates. 

The fallout for Congressional Democrats from failing to pass both bills, which are highly popular with the American people, will be devastating: 

  • Likely losing both the Senate and House in 2022 and the White House in 2024 as Democrats demonstrate they cannot govern. 

  • Forfeiting America’s best chance to shore up social infrastructure and slow climate change.

We ask our MoCs to fight to support the bills’ dual track.

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].

Please keep communicating that Republicans alone are pushing the economy to the brink simply to score political points. Then take up Biden’s Build Back Better bill and the Freedom to Vote Act.

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].

Please keep communicating that Republicans alone are pushing the economy to the brink simply to score political points. Then take up Biden’s Build Back Better bill and the Freedom to Vote Act.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

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

If you care for anything beyond winning points for your party, work with Democrats to craft a good Build Back Better bill.

ACTION TWO: 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 strongly support linking the infrastructure bill with Biden’s social revolution bill. It’s time to emphasize the needs of working families and the poor instead of pandering to the donor class.

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].

If you care for anything beyond winning points for your party, work with Democrats to craft a good Build Back Better bill.

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 strongly support linking the infrastructure bill with Biden’s social revolution bill. It’s time to emphasize the needs of working families and the poor instead of pandering to the donor class.

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 strongly support linking the infrastructure bill with Biden’s social revolution bill. It’s time to emphasize the needs of working families and the poor instead of pandering to the donor class.

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 strongly support linking the infrastructure bill with Biden’s social revolution bill. It’s time to emphasize the needs of working families and the poor instead of pandering to the donor class.

Action 3:

Other opportunities for action include:

  • WRITE LETTERS AND POSTCARDS IN GOOD COMPANY, 

        FRIDAY, OCT. 1, 4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/274619/

  • PHONEBANK TO ENCOURAGE VIRGINIANS TO VOTE

        SATURDAY, OCT. 2, 12:00 noon-2:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/410893/

Barbara Isaacman
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