99 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION: WE NEED A PANDEMIC BILL THAT TRUMP MUST SIGN
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…
FOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN: Thank you for pushing for coronavirus relief funding. Trump has prolonged the pandemic crisis by pushing states to open while the threat was still high. Nearly all of the last relief bill went to the top 1%. The rest of us now need help too. Please fight for:
- A continuation of the $600 boost to unemployment checks,
- Money for state and local governments,
- Funds to make voting safer and more reliable.
- And oppose McConnell’s liability shield, which is just a vaccine for businesses who don’t protect their workers.
And please continue to demand Trump’s army brutalizing Black Matters Live protests must leave our city..
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, Bonamici, DeFazio and Schrader: Thank you for pushing for coronavirus relief funding. Trump has prolonged the pandemic crisis by pushing states to open while the threat was still high. Nearly all of the last relief bill went to the top 1%. The rest of us now need help too. Please fight for:
- A continuation of the $600 boost to unemployment checks,
- Money for state and local governments,
- Funds to make voting safer and more reliable.
- And oppose McConnell’s liability shield, which is just a vaccine for businesses who don’t protect their workers.
And please continue to demand Trump’s army brutalizing Black Matters Live protests must leave our city.
FOR Walden: this pandemic has been prolonged and Americans need help to survive this crisis. The HEROES Act could provide that much needed relief. I urge you to support the HEROES Act, and I hope you support additional funds for unemployment, for state and local government and money to make voting more safe and secure.
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:
Oregonians are joining with activists across the country to power a landslide Democratic victory in November 2020, from the state houses to the Senate to the White House. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Join us for our inaugural Elections Power Hour TODAY (Monday 7/27) at 4:30pm. Learn about our strategic plan for the next hundred days, why we’re adopting the state of Arizona, and more – and keep coming back every Monday for your weekly dose of inspiration, education, and community.
- Call Arizona voters on Thursdays – training is at 5:00, calling begins at 5:30.
- Write letters to voters with Swing Left and Vote Forward. Saturdays 12-2pm.
- Write postcards to voters of color with Reclaim Our Vote. Sundays 3-5pm.
BACKGROUND:
After dithering for weeks, the Senate GOP may finally unveil another pandemic relief bill today.
The first relief bill added $2 trillion to the national debt, but 83% of that went to the top 1%.
The House’s $3 trillion HEROES Act (passed by the House in May) is directed to help the other 99%, especially those whose basic needs are threatened. Among other features, it extends the $600 a week bump in unemployment assistance, helps state and local governments in their budget shortfalls, helps small businesses, and provides funds to make November voting safer.
The Senate’s response, a $1 trillion CARES2 Act, is scheduled to be released today or later this week. The biggest differences could be:
- The addition of $105 billion for education designed to coerce teachers back to the classroom.
- Liability protections that would shield employers from lawsuits if they fail to protect their employees.
- The $600 unemployment boost will be scaled back.
- No additional funding for state and local government.
- No funds for safe elections.
Disagreement among Senate Republicans could remove benefits enjoyed by 20 million people, including an eviction moratorium, and be catastrophic for the economy.
Demand relief now.
SOURCES:
Forbes, July 25: Here Are The Latest Numbers For Second Stimulus Checks, Student Loans, Unemployment And More
The Hill, July 26, 2020: Mnuchin: It ‘wouldn’t be fair to use taxpayer dollars to pay more people to sit home’ | TheHill
Washington Post, July 24, 2020: The Finance 202: Republican infighting over emergency relief erupts at a perilous time for the party – The Washington Post
The Texas Tribune, July 23, 2020: $600 CARES Act unemployment benefit about to expire | The Texas Tribune
Washington Post, July 24: Power Up: No sign of election money in GOP coronavirus relief plan as states scramble before November – The Washington Post
Americans for TaxFairness, July 16, 2020: BILLIONAIRES’ PANDEMIC WEALTH GAINS BURST THROUGH $700B – Americans For Tax Fairness
Debt.org, July 21, 2020: Updated Details on the HEROES Act: Stimulus Checks, Hazard Pay, Rental Aid, Etc.
Sen. Merkley letter to McConnell, June 18, 2020: HEROES Act Letter to McConnell_5pm – 20.06.18 HEROES Act Anniversary Ltr to McConnell Final.pdf
