BAILOUT NEEDS WORK. HOSPITALS NEED EQUIPMENT.

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
I’m calling about two issues. 1) I thank the Senator for twice refusing to pass a massive bailout package with major flaws. I ask him to make sure the final bill does not have a $500 bailout slush fund and that  non-profits receiving Medicaid also get help.
2) I beg Congress to pass the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act. Congress must force the Administration to take control of the manufacturing and distribution of scarce medical equipment. We need massive production and fair distribution NOW.

ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS

Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here. 

SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
I am calling on two issues. 1) We need tight controls on any bailout funds going to corporations. Protect workers’ jobs; prevent tax dollars from financing stock buybacks and job cutbacks.
2) I beg Congress to pass the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act. Congress must force the Administration to take control of the manufacturing and distribution of scarce medical equipment. We need massive production and fair distribution NOW.

ACTION THREE: WRITE LETTERS TO VOTERS.

Indivisible Oregon is supporting virtual letter-writing actions using Swing Left tools to contact voters in “super states.” Find an online opportunity near you or organize one yourself: https://swingleft.org/events.

BACKGROUND:

America needs strong leadership responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump abdicated his responsibility. Congress must step in – give money to people, loans with controls on corporations, and equipment to health care workers.
When taxpayers lent billions to rescue the airlines in 2011, companies later used profits to drive up stocks and cut workers’ jobs instead of improving services and working conditions. Now Senate Republicans are:
  • Providing a $500 billion corporate bailout with weak limits on stock buybacks and loopholes that allow Treasury Secretary Minuchin to make secret loans.
  • Excluding non-profits receiving Medicaid from loans. This means nursing homes, health centers, group homes and community-based providers (to people with disabilities or mental health issues) won’t get critical aid.
Democrats are working for the people:
  • Senate Democrats are holding the line, demanding real controls on big business bailouts and more money for hospitals.
  • House Democrats have introduced a bigger relief package that will truly help people.
  • Senate and House Democrats are pushing legislation to force Trump order production of much-needed medical equipment.
While we stay at home, we must call Congress and demand relief that is for people – not corporations.

SOURCES: