BIDEN MUST USE HIS PRESIDENTIAL POWERS

Daily Action
Written By Dick Thompson

With his legislative agenda stalled in the Senate, Biden must use executive orders to support American families and address the threats of climate change. 

QUICK READ: “As we face a historic crossroad in the fight to protect democracy and defeat white supremacy, it’s beyond time for Biden to use the full powers of the presidency to deliver for the people who elected him and address the interlocking crises of our times. [If not], Biden risks not only alienating his own base, but failing to stop the worst of the climate crisis while he had the chance.” Lauren Maunus, Sunrise Movement advocacy director

TAKE ACTION NOW:

BACKGROUND

Biden came to the presidency promising to improve the lives of all Americans, no matter their skin color or zip code. Americans believed him and now expect him to deliver.

Early on, Biden rolled back some harmful Trump policies, but he hasn’t focused on proactive actions to meaningfully improve peoples’ lives.

Instead, he worked on getting his agenda enacted. Because he greatly overestimated his ability to move the dysfunctional Senate, his agenda has mostly languished.

While executive actions are not as good as legislation, because the next president can easily reverse them, they are the only way Biden can deliver on his promises to the American people before the midterms and help Democrats retain congressional control.

With his pen, he can:

  • Combat the climate crisis and fossil fuel dependence

  • Lower health care and prescription drug costs

  • Cancel federal student debt

  • Expand worker power and raise wages

  • Advance immigrants’ rights

  • Reform the judicial system and the police

  • Invest in the care economy

  • Create tax fairness and economic justice

  • Protect reproductive rights and voting rights

While Biden must be pressured to so use his constitutionally granted powers, we must continue pressing our MoCs to enact legislation benefiting the American people.

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 am calling on you to pressure President Biden, by speaking out publicly, writing letters, and speaking directly with him and White house staff, to use his pen to deliver on his campaign promises to fight climate change and improve peoples’ lives. Of greatest importance to me are [name the types of executive action you most want President Biden to take]. I also demand that you continue working to pass, through the reconciliation process, as much of Biden’s agenda as possible before the midterms.

SEN. WYDEN:

Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

(Messages and calls are most effective if they are personal. Scripts are here to help.)

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

I am calling on you to pressure President Biden, by speaking out publicly, writing letters, and speaking directly with him and White house staff, to use his pen to deliver on his campaign promises to fight climate change and improve peoples’ lives. Of greatest importance to me are [name the types of executive action you most want President Biden to take]. I also demand that you continue working to pass, through the reconciliation process, as much of Biden’s agenda as possible before the midterms.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

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

The American people are suffering and our climate is on life support. It is time to stop obstructing and join your colleagues on the other side of the aisle to improve the lives of your constituents.

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 am calling on you to pressure President Biden, by speaking out publicly, writing letters, and speaking directly with him and White house staff, to use his pen to deliver on his campaign promises to fight climate change and improve peoples’ lives. Of greatest importance to me are [name the types of executive action you most want President Biden to take]. I also demand that you continue working to pass, through the reconciliation process, as much of Biden’s agenda as possible before the midterms.

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].

The American people are suffering and our climate is on life support. It is time to stop obstructing and join your colleagues on the other side of the aisle to improve the lives of your constituents.

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 calling on you to pressure President Biden, by speaking out publicly, writing letters, and speaking directly with him and White house staff, to use his pen to deliver on his campaign promises to fight climate change and improve peoples’ lives. Of greatest importance to me are [name the types of executive action you most want President Biden to take]. I also demand that you continue working to pass, through the reconciliation process, as much of Biden’s agenda as possible before the midterms.

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 am calling on you to pressure President Biden, by speaking out publicly, writing letters, and speaking directly with him and White house staff, to use his pen to deliver on his campaign promises to fight climate change and improve peoples’ lives. Of greatest importance to me are [name the types of executive action you most want President Biden to take]. I also demand that you continue working to pass, through the reconciliation process, as much of Biden’s agenda as possible before the midterms.

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 am calling on you to pressure President Biden, by speaking out publicly, writing letters, and speaking directly with him and White house staff, to use his pen to deliver on his campaign promises to fight climate change and improve peoples’ lives. Of greatest importance to me are [name the types of executive action you most want President Biden to take]. I also demand that you continue working to pass, through the reconciliation process, as much of Biden’s agenda as possible before the midterms.

ACTION 3: Join the fight

For Ukraine. Links from Ukraine historian and author “On Tyranny,” Timothy Snyder: Yet one thing is encouraging: whenever I speak to my colleagues in Ukraine, they are all doing something.  The everyday courage is astonishing.  We should help if we can.  When I spoke to colleagues in Poland today, I was also astonished by the swift reaction of civil society to more than a million Ukrainians refugees.  I think we should affirm that impulse when we can.

Here are a few ways to help. I have made donations today and I hope you will too.

1.  Ukrainian reporters are, directly or indirectly, our main source of information about this war.  Many of them are at work now at risk to themselves without salaries and proper protective gear.  A fund that will direct support and equipment to journalists taking risks in Ukraine is 2402.  Have a look.

2.  For Americans who want a tax deduction, Razom remains a good bet.  This is a volunteer organization that will make good judgements about partners for humanitarian assistance.  Donate to Razom here.

3.  Hundreds of small Polish NGOs are assisting Ukrainian refugees now.  One of them that deserves support is Homo Faber in Lublin, near where many Ukrainian refugees cross. You can help them with a bank transfer:

Name of recipient: Stowarzyszenie Homo Faber; Purpose: Ukraina; IBAN: PL 93 1940 1076 3069 8598 0000 0000; SWIFT: AGRIPLPRXXX; Name of bank: Credit Agricole Bank Polska SA, ul. Legnicka 48, 54-202 Wrocław, Polska.  If you are on PayPal you might also be able to reach them that way: PayPal  Stowarzyszenie Homo Faber, ul. Chopina, 41, lok. 2, 20-023 Lublin, e-mail: info@hf.org.pl.

4.  People have been using Airbnb as a way to transfer money to individual Ukrainians by booking rooms they do not intend to use.  If you do this, make sure the phone number of your host has a 380 prefix (country code for Ukraine) and contact the host ahead of time.  Airbnb as a a company also enables people to help in another way, by offering lodging to Ukrainian refugees.

5. Canada has a large and well-organized Ukrainian diaspora, and its organizations are raising money for assistance to Ukraine. Here is the the appeal of the Canadian Red Cross.

6. To provide assistance to civilians in need, you can now donate directly by credit card to the Ukrainian Red Cross.

7. The Russian press blackout is shocking.  I urge you, if you want to support Russian reporters, to fund Meduza, working from Riga.

PS: The interest in supporting the Ukrainian armed forces is consistent, so I repeat that information here.

The organization Come Back Alive concentrates on protective gear and other equipment for soldiers.  You can donate using the information here.

Army SOS supplies medical equipment but also everything a soldier might need.  You can donate in cryptocurrency following this link or make a bank transfer in dollars via: IBAN: UA203052990000026003016809842;  SWIFT: PBANUA2XXXX; Bank: JSC CB "PRIVATBANK

You can contribute directly to the Ukrainian armed forces via credit card.  If you prefer a bank transfer that information is here.

GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.” 

  • Find out more about Indivisible Oregon here. 

FURTHER READING:

Understanding Executive Action (and Pushing President Biden to Go Bold)

Congressional Progressive Caucus Recommendations for Executive Action

(includes specific recommended actions for each category)

House progressives urge Biden to support caregiving workforce and execute other Build Back Better priorities

Progressive Democrats set out list of executive orders to push Biden agenda

With legislation languishing and midterms approaching, Democratic lawmakers pressure Biden to issue executive orders

Opinion: Broken promises cannot deter the path to Build Back Better (Pramila Jayapal)

Biden doesn’t need Manchin: 5 executive actions he can take right now to build back better

Joe Biden must use his presidential powers to deliver on his promises

You’ve Got Mail – and Clean Air

Biden plans executive action on police reform to revive stalled issue

Experts say Biden could use executive powers to protect abortion access

Democratic Lawmakers Urge Biden To Cancel $50,000 in Student Debt

Dick Thompson
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