SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE THE INFLATION REDUCTIONACT AND MORE WORK AHEAD
The Senate’s reconciliation bill makes historic investments in climate and in senior medical care, but the Senate has much more to do before going on vacation.
QUICK READ: Democrats have produced a reconciliation bill with billions for climate and health care, while imposing a mandatory tax on US companies. But all 50 Democrats, plus Vice President Harris, must approve it. It has a complicated road ahead and could be derailed by maverick Dem. Kyrsten Sinemia. Too much work lies ahead to send Senators home now.
CONTENT
BACKGROUND
Time is running short. Senate Democrats must pass the Inflation Reduction Act with every Democrat voting for it and then send it to the House, where Democrats have only a three-vote margin.
It isn’t the only item lingering. The House may soon move to ban members of Congress from making stock transactions. Then there’s the “most promising antitrust bill” to move through Congress. Senators must also address the backlog of nearly 150 federal judicial openings. Then there’s controlling guns and passage of an actual budget.
But first, the breakthrough Senate reconciliation bill is set to be debated next week. If it passes, it could transform America. Among the dozens of items, the bill’s most prominent features include:
America's most significant climate investment that will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.
A 15% minimum tax on certain corporations is expected to raise $313 billion over a decade.
Lower prescription prices on certain drugs thanks to Medicare’s new ability to negotiate prices.
The 50 Senate Democrats may pass the bill on to the House next week with the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Before the November elections, Democrats have an opportunity to display how they would govern and who they would govern for – you. So lend your support. Call your Members of Congress.
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].
We have an opportunity with the Senate’s inflation Reduction Act to show what concerns us most and how we’ll address it. Nothing must get in the way of passing this bill. Do it this month. Then we need action on judicial confirmations, antitrust, stock trading bans for Members of Congress, and the federal budget itself.There’s so much to do that Congress must stay in session through August.
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].
We have an opportunity with the Senate’s inflation Reduction Act to show what concerns us most and how we’ll address it. Nothing must get in the way of passing this bill. Do it this month. Then we need action on judicial confirmations, antitrust, stock trading bans for Members of Congress, and the federal budget itself.There’s so much to do that Congress must stay in session through August.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Democrats have crafted a bill to help all Americans, not just one party, group or donor industry. All Americans. Can you support something that would help us all?
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].
We have an opportunity with the Senate’s inflation Reduction Act to show what concerns us most and how we’ll address it. Nothing must get in the way of passing this bill. Do it this month. Then we need action on judicial confirmations, antitrust, stock trading bans for Members of Congress, and the federal budget itself.There’s so much to do that Congress must stay in session through August.
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].
Democrats have crafted a bill to help all Americans, not just one party, group or donor industry. All Americans. Can you support something that would help us all?
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].
We have an opportunity with the Senate’s inflation Reduction Act to show what concerns us most and how we’ll address it. Nothing must get in the way of passing this bill. Do it this month. Then we need action on judicial confirmations, antitrust, stock trading bans for Members of Congress, and the federal budget itself.There’s so much to do that Congress must stay in session through August.
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].
We have an opportunity with the Senate’s inflation Reduction Act to show what concerns us most and how we’ll address it. Nothing must get in the way of passing this bill. Do it this month. Then we need action on judicial confirmations, antitrust, stock trading bans for Members of Congress, and the federal budget itself.There’s so much to do that Congress must stay in session through August.
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].
We have an opportunity with the Senate’s inflation Reduction Act to show what concerns us most and how we’ll address it. Nothing must get in the way of passing this bill. Do it this month. Then we need action on judicial confirmations, antitrust, stock trading bans for Members of Congress, and the federal budget itself.There’s so much to do that Congress must stay in session through August.
ACTION THREE: 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
Report: House to introduce ban on stock trading in Congress
Lawmakers racing to pass tech antitrust tech reforms before midterms
The judicial nominations queue can not afford an August recess | The Hill Government
Cancel August recess: We must do our job | The Hill
August Recess Start Date in the Air as Senators Await Ruling | Bloomberg
Caps on prescription drug prices most popular element of reconciliation bill: poll | The Hill
Reconciliation (United States Congress) - Wikipedia
Kyrsten Sinema Is the Final Holdout on Democrats’ Climate Deal - The New York Times
