WEST VIRGINIANS SUFFER AS MANCHIN PANDERS TO HIS DONORS
Republicans are suppressing the vote, in part, to keep such “corporate politicians” in office.
QUICK READ: Democrat Joe Manchin is certainly not working for his voters. And in state after state, people of goodwill will find it impossible to get elected because the MAGA mobs have used the “Big Lie” to get GOP legislatures to pass laws to decide who can vote and who can win. We can negate these laws with Senate passage of pending voting rights legislation.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
Martin Luther King said the freedom to vote would “fill our legislative halls” with people of goodwill.
What does a lack of will look like? It’s exemplified by Senator Joe Manchin.
Manchin is making life brutally hard for the people of West Virginia as he, a “corporate Democrat,” does the bidding of his donors in opposing Build Back Better.
Failure to pass BBB will:
Push 50,000 children in West Virginia back into poverty
Cut in half the benefits paid to miners suffering from Black Lung disease.
Manchin, a Catholic, even outraged the state’s bishops, who beseeched him that BBB was needed to protect “economically vulnerable children.”
The rest of America can expect similar treatment as states controlled by Republicans block likely Democratic voters from the ballot box.
Two voting rights bills, if passed, would easily allow all WV voters to object to him. But before there can even be a vote, they must overcome the filibuster loophole. Doing that will require the vote of all 50 Democrats.
Manchin is a holdout. But he’s not the only Senator beholden to donors.
Demand voting protections.
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].
Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and must be secured. Doing that will require changing the filibuster. I support your work to do just that.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and must be secured. Doing that will require changing the filibuster. I support your work to do just that.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Blocking efforts to stop election rigging and voter suppression profoundly dishonors your oath to defend the Constitution. Have the courage to do what our Founding Fathers demanded – protect democracy and the government it creates by allowing votes on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Biden is betting his presidency on protecting the freedom to vote. It’s an enormous gamble that could doom him and the Democratic Party. Do EVERYTHING you can to help him and save our country. Demand a change to the Senate filibuster to allow voting on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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 want you to loudly reject Senate Republicans who are blocking efforts to protect the vote. Have the courage to do what our Founding Fathers demanded – protect democracy and the government it creates. Doing less means you and the Republican party are fundamentally unAmerican.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Biden is betting his presidency on protecting the freedom to vote. It’s an enormous gamble that could doom him and the Democratic Party. Do EVERYTHING you can to help him and save our country. Demand a change to the Senate filibuster to allow voting on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Biden is betting his presidency on protecting the freedom to vote. It’s an enormous gamble that could doom him and the Democratic Party. Do EVERYTHING you can to help him and save our country. Demand a change to the Senate filibuster to allow voting on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
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].
Biden is betting his presidency on protecting the freedom to vote. It’s an enormous gamble that could doom him and the Democratic Party. Do EVERYTHING you can to help him and save our country. Demand a change to the Senate filibuster to allow voting on the Freedom to Vote and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts.
(Personal stories have the most impact so, in addition to this script, tell your Member of Congress how this affects you)
ACTION 3: Other ways of fighting back
Sign up for the informative ASO Movement Briefings
Freedom to Vote Act Phonebank with Common Cause · Common Cause
Call your Senators to Pass the 'Freedom to Vote Act' | RepresentUs
FURTHER READING:
Manchin’s Choice on Build Back Better: Mine Workers or Mine Owners - The New York Times
Manchin’s Choice on Build Back Better: Mine Workers or Mine Owners - The New York Times
Yes, Joe Manchin Will Face Blowback in West Virginia | The New Republic
'Tomorrow is today': MLK's words ring true on voting rights | TheHill
