TO SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY, WE MUST FUND THE POSTAL SERVICE AND PROTECT VOTING BY MAIL
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…
The Postal Service plays an essential role in our national life and our democracy, spreading information and disseminating goods and services throughout America. We cannot let Trump and the GOP privatize the Postal Service and limit voting by mail, which will starve our democracy, cut off receipt of goods Americans need to survive, and disenfranchise many Americans. The next stimulus package must include
- full funding for expanded vote-by-mail legislation
- billions in emergency funding for the Postal Service contained in the Protect Our Post Offices Act (HR.6425)
- repeal of the pension pre-funding requirement contained in the USPS Fairness Act (HR .2382)
- guaranteed legislative oversight of all appropriated funds.
Without their inclusion, I urge you to refuse unanimous consent.
CALL SENATOR MERKLEY
CALL SENATOR WYDEN
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…
For Blumenauer and Bonamici:
The Postal Service plays an essential role in our national life and our democracy, spreading information and disseminating goods and services throughout America. We cannot let Trump and the GOP privatize the Postal Service and limit voting by mail, which will starve our democracy and disenfranchise many Americans. The next stimulus package must include
- full funding for vote-by-mail
- the billions in emergency funding for the Postal Service contained in HR.6425, which we thank you for co-sponsoring
- guaranteed legislative oversight of all appropriated funds
Without their inclusion, I urge you to refuse unanimous consent.
For DeFazio and Schrader:
The Postal Service plays an essential role in our national life and our democracy, spreading information and disseminating goods and services throughout America. We cannot let Trump and the GOP privatize the Postal Service and limit voting by mail, which will starve our democracy and disenfranchise many Americans. The next stimulus package must include
- full funding for vote-by-mail
- the billions in emergency funding for the Postal Service contained in HR.6425
- guaranteed legislative oversight of all appropriated funds
Without their inclusion, I urge you to refuse unanimous consent.
For Walden:
I am calling to demand that you oppose all attempts to privatize the Postal Service and limit voting by mail—both of which will greatly harm your rural constituency. Do not vote for another spending package that does not include
- full funding for vote-by-mail
- the billions in emergency funding for the Postal Service contained in HR.6425
- guaranteed legislative oversight of all funds appropriated by Congress.
CALL SUZANNE BONAMICI (OR-01)
CALL GREG WALDEN (OR-02)
CALL BLUMENAUER (OR-03)
CALL PETER DEFAZIO (OR-04)
CALL KURT SCHRADER (OR-05)
ACTION THREE: HELP REGISTER VOTERS FROM YOUR HOME
Organizing for the 2020 Election is going VIRTUAL!
- Find virtual events at http://swingleft.org/
- Host a virtual letter-writing party! Get started here: http://swingleft.org/p/virtual-letter-writing-party
- Sign up for training and call info here: http://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/263614/
BACKGROUND:
US Postal Service (USPS) is essential to our way of life and our democracy. Since inception, it’s played vital role spreading information and delivering mail and packages daily to every household and business in America at the same affordable rates
- keeping us connected with friends and family
- distributing essential goods, stimulus checks and possibly even COVID-19 vaccines
- continuing to facilitate the request and return of mail-in ballots so that Americans can vote safely and securely from home
- providing its almost 650,000 employees (18% veterans) with good, unionized jobs
Uninterrupted mail service is also required so 2020 Census can get accurate head count, which will be used to determine distribution of House districts for next decade.
Although USPS runs on postal revenue, not tax dollars, the massive decline in mail volume due to COVID-19 requires federal intervention. The allocated $10 billion loan hasn’t yet been approved by Treasury Department, and the aid package being finalized funds neither USPS nor expanded voting by mail.
We cannot allow Trump to privatize Postal Service. Our MoCs must recognize its essential role in our national life and our democracy, demanding funding both to ensure continued deliveries and to allow Americans to vote safely from home.
