STOP THE GOP FROM DESTROYING OUR ECONOMY

Daily Action
Written By Dick Thompson

To prevent future threats to the government’s ability to cover its debts, Dems must suspend the filibuster and repeal the debt ceiling.

QUICK READ: Unless the borrowing limit is raised or eliminated, on October 18 our inability to pay our debts will trigger a deep recession here and a global economic catastrophe. Until now, this threat has always been scary enough to motivate Republicans to compromise. Now, the catastrophe caucus plans only a filibuster--just another example of the tyranny of the minority.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

BACKGROUND

Unless the borrowing limit is raised or eliminated, on October 18 the U.S.will be unable to pay its debts--triggering a deep recession here and a global economic collapse. 

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellin also warned of grim economic effects, even if it’s raised next week--which is why Schumer’s planning another vote today.  

Raising the debt ceiling via reconciliation, while theoretically possible, would take too long to avoid these dire economic consequences--which leaves only the filibuster’s suspension as a realistic way to get this done.

Even though much of this debt was added during the Trump years, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s catastrophe caucus, intent more on obstruction and destruction than on governing, refuses to get out of the way and let Democrats solve the problem.

The GOP’s continued use of the filibuster to stall all proposed debt-ceiling legislation shows their willingness to heartlessly blow up our economy, stall our fragile post-pandemic recovery, and allow a global collapse solely to score political points.

To neutralize what Biden calls McConnell ’s “reckless” and “disgraceful” tactics and prevent future economic blackmail, Democrats must take away his weapons by suspending the filibuster and eliminating the debt ceiling. 

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].

To prevent future threats to the government’s borrowing power and the dire economic effects of even a last-minute suspension or elimination of the debt ceiling, Democrats must immediately:

  • Suspend the filibuster for a debt ceiling vote
  • Repeal the anachronistic, ineffective debt ceiling to remove this weapon from McConnell’s arsenal
  • Convince Manchin that America’s full faith and credit cannot realistically be saved through the cumbersome and lengthy reconciliation process.
    I am counting on you to convince Senate colleagues that this is the only solution.

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].

To prevent future threats to the government’s borrowing power and the dire economic effects of even a last-minute suspension or elimination of the debt ceiling, Democrats must immediately:

  • Suspend the filibuster for a debt ceiling vote
  • Repeal the anachronistic, ineffective debt ceiling to remove this weapon from McConnell’s arsenal
  • Convince Manchin that America’s full faith and credit cannot realistically be saved through the cumbersome and lengthy reconciliation process.
    I am counting on you to convince Senate colleagues that this is the only solution.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

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

Forcing Congress to periodically raise the debt ceiling serves no purpose. I am asking you to commit to voting for either its repeal or suspension. Your party’s willingness to blow up our economy and cause a global economic Armageddon is reprehensible and makes you unfit to serve in Congress.

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].

Thank you for voting to raise the debt ceiling. Since forcing Congress to periodically do so has been weaponized by Republicans and serves no real purpose, I am asking you to co-sponsor HR.1041, which would repeal this flawed law. And keep adhering to the promise to withhold consideration of the smaller infrastructure bill until the Senate’s passage of the Build Back Better Act.

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].

You should be ashamed of your vote against raising the debt ceiling. If this problem isn’t immediately resolved, the consequences for our country and your constituents will be severe. Your willingness to blow up our economy and cause a global economic Armageddon is reprehensible and makes you unfit to serve in Congress.

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].

Thank you for voting to raise the debt ceiling. Since forcing Congress to periodically do so has been weaponized by Republicans and serves no real purpose, I am asking you to co-sponsor HR.1041, which would repeal this flawed law. And keep adhering to the promise to withhold consideration of the smaller infrastructure bill until the Senate’s passage of the Build Back Better Act.

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 voting to raise the debt ceiling. Since forcing Congress to periodically do so has been weaponized by Republicans and serves no real purpose, I am asking you to co-sponsor HR.1041, which would repeal this flawed law. And keep adhering to the promise to withhold consideration of the smaller infrastructure bill until the Senate’s passage of the Build Back Better Act.

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].

You should be ashamed of your vote against raising the debt ceiling. If this problem isn’t immediately resolved, the consequences for our country and your constituents will be severe. Your willingness to blow up our economy and cause a global economic Armageddon is reprehensible and makes you unfit to serve in Congress.

Action 3:

Other opportunities for action include:

  • WRITE LETTERS AND POSTCARDS IN GOOD COMPANY, 

        FRIDAY, OCT. 8, 4:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/274619/

  • PHONEBANK TO ENCOURAGE VIRGINIANS TO VOTE

        SATURDAY, OCT. 9, 12:00 noon-2:00pm: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/410893/

Dick Thompson
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