THE DEMOCRATS’ SURPRISE BUDGET BILL
At the last minute, holdout Dem. Sen. Joe Manchin may have dictated the final bill
QUICK READ: West Virginia coal country senator, Democrat Joe Manchin, has single-handedly revived hopes for a Democratic budget bill. The Senate draft budget has many beneficiaries, but its most significant provisions target global warming and pharmaceutical pricing. But to pass the Senate, all 50 Democrats will have to vote aye.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
The politician who brought the Democrat’s budget bill back to life, after driving a stake through it, is West Virginia’s Senator Joe Manchin. Proving again, that in a 50-50 Senate, every vote counts.
This week the Senate will debate the massive and surprising budget proposal. Democrats will need every Democratic Senator’s “yes” vote in the chamber, plus the Vice President, for it to pass.
The Democrat’s budget plan would allow Medicare to negotiate the price of prescription drugs. It establishes a “green bank” for projects to cut global warming. It funds rebuilding of the IRS, and more. And, money raised through taxes and fees will help pay down the federal deficit.
The focus of the biggest bucket of money ($385 billion) is combating climate change. It’s America’s most significant response to the approaching disaster. The second biggest area of expenditure ($100 billion) targets health care needs.
Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema, now the pivotal 50th vote, is deep in the pockets of her wealthy contributors and now controls the budget’s fate.
The package really could be a game changer. We are too far down the global warming pathway to stop or reverse it. But slowing the rate of warming buys time for scientists and will save lives.
The Senate’s debating the budget this week, making your call especially important.
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].
Please show your support for the budget bill, and, while you’re doing that, highlight what Democrats are doing for the country - building, making it better. The MAGA Republicans, on the other hand, keep blocking every bill that would help Americans.
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].
Please show your support for the budget bill, and, while you’re doing that, highlight what Democrats are doing for the country - building, making it better. The MAGA Republicans, on the other hand, keep blocking every bill that would help Americans.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
If you objectively look at the budget being proposed, the expenses are targeted to building, strengthening, and safeguarding the country. Please vote for it.
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].
Please show your support for the budget bill, and, while you’re doing that, highlight what Democrats are doing for the country - building, making it better. The MAGA Republicans, on the other hand, keep blocking every bill that would help Americans.
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].
If you objectively look at the budget being proposed, the expenses are targeted to building, strengthening, and safeguarding the country. Please vote for it.
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].
Please show your support for the budget bill, and, while you’re doing that, highlight what Democrats are doing for the country - building, making it better. The MAGA Republicans, on the other hand, keep blocking every bill that would help Americans.
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].
Please show your support for the budget bill, and, while you’re doing that, highlight what Democrats are doing for the country - building, making it better. The MAGA Republicans, on the other hand, keep blocking every bill that would help Americans.
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].
Please show your support for the budget bill, and, while you’re doing that, highlight what Democrats are doing for the country - building, making it better. The MAGA Republicans, on the other hand, keep blocking every bill that would help Americans.
ACTION 3: GOOD TROUBLE
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
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. (NOW DELAYED. WATCH THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.)
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by electing Democrats Val Hoyle in District 4, Jamie McLeod-Skinner in District 5, and Andrea Salinas in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
further reading:
Inflation Reduction Act - Senate Democratic Leadership
Manchin-Schumer deal could be historic win on climate change | The Hill
‘Holy s--t’: Surprise Senate deal sets stage for record climate change package - POLITICO
What’s in Democrats’ $370B Climate Spending Deal? Electric Cars, Tax Credits - Bloomberg
Manchin’s Inflation Reduction Act is really a climate and energy bill. What’s in it? - Vox
How the climate bill could save you money and change what you buy - The Washington Post
