Passing Revised BuilD Back Better Act
While Congress and the President cannot eliminate inflation, taking steps to soften the blow for American working families and protect the environment is the only way to retain Democratic control of Congress.
QUICK READ: There is still time for Congress to pass a slimmed down version of the Democrats’ Build Back Better (BBB) proposal. But time is running out. In this period of soaring inflation and environmental disasters, Americans need help, and so do the Dems heading into the midterms. We are at a watershed. If Congress does not act quickly the damage to nation may be irreparable.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
Americans voted for Democrats because they promised to make our democracy and economy work better for everyone. But many have become disillusioned with their ongoing failure to resurrect this budget package.
There is no time to wait. With inflation eating into family income and environmental crises threatening the well-being of millions Congressional Democrats must act now.
The calendar is not on our side. Reconciliation options expire on September 30th and Congress is in recess the month of August. A new bill, supported by all 50 Democrats needs to pass by the end of July.
There are some positive, if tenuous, signs Democrats could salvage a watered-down version of BBB which would:
reign in drug prices
invest in renewable energy
extend tax credits making health insurance keeping it affordable for 12 million
make permanent Medicaid funding for home and community-based care
By passing such legislation Democrats would take a big step toward convincing voters they feel their pain and are trying to soften inflation’s impact with safety-net investments while protecting the environment. To be sure, there many important features of the original BBB absent and Democrats must commit to addressing them after they are propelled to victory in November.
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].
In this period of soaring inflation, struggling Americans need help and so do Democrats heading into the midterms. This is your last chance to convince voters that Dems feel their pain and are trying to soften inflation’s impact with safety-net investments. Congressional Dems must agree on a package by the end of July to put money into American families’ hands and protect the environment. Voters need a reason to give Dems more time to carry out their promises and more Democratic lawmakers to ensure that happens.
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].
In this period of soaring inflation, struggling Americans need help and so do Democrats heading into the midterms. This is your last chance to convince voters that Dems feel their pain and are trying to soften inflation’s impact with safety-net investments. Congressional Dems must agree on a package by the end of July to put money into American families’ hands and protect the environment. Voters need a reason to give Dems more time to carry out their promises and more Democratic lawmakers to ensure that happens.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Inflation is eating into your constituents’ incomes and environmental crises abound. It is time for you to stop whining and to join with Democrats to relieve your constituents’ suffering. hearings expose the criminality of the Trump White House.
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].
In this period of soaring inflation, struggling Americans need help and so do Democrats heading into the midterms. This is your last chance to convince voters that Dems feel their pain and are trying to soften inflation’s impact with safety-net investments. Congressional Dems must agree on a package by the end of July to put money into American families’ hands and protect the environment. Voters need a reason to give Dems more time to carry out their promises and more Democratic lawmakers to ensure that happens.
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].
Inflation is eating into your constituents’ incomes and environmental crises abound. It is time for you to stop whining and to join with Democrats to relieve your constituents’ suffering.
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].
In this period of soaring inflation, struggling Americans need help and so do Democrats heading into the midterms. This is your last chance to convince voters that Dems feel their pain and are trying to soften inflation’s impact with safety-net investments. Congressional Dems must agree on a package by the end of July to put money into American families’ hands and protect the environment. Voters need a reason to give Dems more time to carry out their promises and more Democratic lawmakers to ensure that happens.
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].
In this period of soaring inflation, struggling Americans need help and so do Democrats heading into the midterms. This is your last chance to convince voters that Dems feel their pain and are trying to soften inflation’s impact with safety-net investments. Congressional Dems must agree on a package by the end of July to put money into American families’ hands and protect the environment. Voters need a reason to give Dems more time to carry out their promises and more Democratic lawmakers to ensure that happens.
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].
In this period of soaring inflation, struggling Americans need help and so do Democrats heading into the midterms. This is your last chance to convince voters that Dems feel their pain and are trying to soften inflation’s impact with safety-net investments. Congressional Dems must agree on a package by the end of July to put money into American families’ hands and protect the environment. Voters need a reason to give Dems more time to carry out their promises and more Democratic lawmakers to ensure that happens.
ACTION 3: GOOD TROUBLE
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
NEXT TUESDAY LETTER WRITING PARTY, 11:30am-12:30pm - INDIVISIBLE OREGON:
https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/442887/Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday.
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by replacing retiring US Representative Peter DeFazio with another Democrat, replacing Democrat Kurt Schrader, the “Manchin of the House,” with a progressive, and electing a Democrat in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Demand that your primary news source stop creating false equivalencies and just report the truth.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
further reading:
Resurrected budget package no slam dunk as negotiations ...
Democrats race to revive economic package as inflation spikes
Democrats eye 'Build Back Slimmer' on reconciliation
Elizabeth Warren: Democrats Can Avoid Disaster in November
Will rising prices sink Biden’s midterm hopes for Democrats?
How Should Democrats Respond to Rising Inflation and High Gas Prices?
What happened to Build Back Better?
2022 Child Tax Credit: How Expansion Could Eliminate Poverty for Millions
The Political Case for Canceling Student Debt
Progressives Lay Out Plan to Save the Democratic Party From Itself
