Don’t Gut the Build Back Better Act!
Keep Essential Social and Climate Investments in the BBB Act
QUICK READ: The Build Back Better Act awaits action in the Senate, where 50 votes are needed. With no Republican support and a politically diverse Democratic caucus, every Senator can demand changes. Essential social and climate investments are endangered. We must insist the Senate pass BBB with these provisions intact.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
Progressives in the House held the line on climate investments and passed a Build Back Better Act that included such critical support for American families as paid leave, healthcare affordability, and prescription drug cost reductions.
While it awaits action by the Senate, American families face increased costs from inflation and threats to our well-being from climate chaos. We can’t wait for these investments. NOW is the time to get President Biden’s full agenda passed.
After its “Byrd bath” and Parliamentarian review, every Democrat must support the bill, since every Republican is opposed. Not all Democrats agree on every investment, however. “Moderate” Senators Manchin and Sinema have signaled their dislike of renewable energy incentives, paid leave, medicare expansion, and prescription drug price negotiation. Progressive Senators oppose raising the SALT deductions limit and want to expand Medicare to include dental and vision coverage.
Our Senators must resist the urge to substantively weaken this critical bill and endanger its passage. With so much at stake for the American people, the Senate must pass BBB without unnecessary delay and send it to President Biden for his signature.
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].
I urge you to ensure that the final Build Back Better Act retains investments in child care, climate adaptation, and paid leave. With American families facing increased costs from inflation and threats to our well-being from climate chaos, we need these critical investments NOW.
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 urge you to ensure that the final Build Back Better Act retains investments in child care, climate adaptation, and paid leave. With American families facing increased costs from inflation and threats to our well-being from climate chaos, we need these critical investments NOW.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I urge you to join your Democratic colleagues and support the Build Back Better Act. With American families facing increased costs from inflation, we need these critical investments NOW.
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 passing a strong Build Back Better Act with investments in child care, climate adaptation, and paid leave. With American families facing increased costs from inflation and threats to our well-being from climate chaos, we need these critical investments NOW. Please encourage your colleagues in the Senate to retain these vital investments and quickly pass this bill.
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 urge you to join your Democratic colleagues and support the Build Back Better Act when it returns to the House for reconciliation. With American families facing increased costs from inflation and threats to our well-being from climate chaos, we need these critical investments NOW.
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 passing a strong Build Back Better Act with investments in child care, climate adaptation, and paid leave. With American families facing increased costs from inflation and threats to our well-being from climate chaos, we need these critical investments NOW. Please encourage your colleagues in the Senate to retain these vital investments and quickly pass this bill.
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 passing a strong Build Back Better Act with investments in child care, climate adaptation, and paid leave. With American families facing increased costs from inflation and threats to our well-being from climate chaos, we need these critical investments NOW. Please encourage your colleagues in the Senate to retain these vital investments and quickly pass this bill.
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].
Thank you for passing a strong Build Back Better Act with investments in child care, climate adaptation, and paid leave. With American families facing increased costs from inflation and threats to our well-being from climate chaos, we need these critical investments NOW. Please encourage your colleagues in the Senate to retain these vital investments and quickly pass this bill.
Action 3:
Other opportunities for action include:
Phonebank on Saturday, December 4 from 9:00-11:00am (Pacific time)
Phonebank to demand bold changes to create a government that represents all of us, not just big corporations or special interests. We'll be calling voters in AZ and connecting them to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to support the Freedom to Vote Act. Training will be provided. You will need a phone and a computer or tablet.
Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/396674/
[Please join our organizers who are attending this phonebank, hosted by Common Cause and Target Majority NYC.]
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FURTHER READING:
What's in the House's spending bill: A complete guide
Build Back Better and American Climate Leadership
Build Back Better Act: Health Coverage Provisions Explained
Why Democrats shouldn’t cut paid leave from their social spending bill
Build Back Better Act Includes Rep. Welch Led Priority to Lower Prescription Drug Prices
Climate Change Is Accelerating, Bringing World ‘Dangerously Close’ to Irreversible Change
Understanding the Connections Between Climate Change and Human Health
Omicron: everything you need to know about new Covid variant
How paid leave, a tax cut for the rich and more could get axed from Biden's social policy bill
2 Million Missing Workers Are Immigrants Who Might Have Solved Labor Shortage
Legislative Process 101—the Senate's Byrd Rule
Manchin set to make or break Biden's climate pledge
Democrats: Stop Acting Scared, Pass BBB Now Instead of Paring It Back
