Build Back Better is still alive!
Progressives stopped conservative Democrats from tanking Build Back Better:
This past week, progressives in Congress stood strong and stopped conservative Democrats from tanking the Build Back Better Act. Conservative Democrats had tried to renege on their deal to pass Build Back Better in reconciliation, instead trying to get their bipartisan infrastructure bill (“BIF”) passed separately so they’d never have to hold up their end of the bargain. If they’d succeeded in de-linking the bills and violating their agreement, Build Back Better would be toast and we’d have only the infrastructure bill- jettisoning all of the major progressive priorities in the reconciliation bill.
That means that Build Back Better is still alive and we still have a chance for an inclusive recovery bill! We need our Representative to support the progressives in this fight and refuse to pass the BIF until after an inclusive reconciliation bill is passed.
While conservative Democrats work to undermine the Build Back Better Act, we’re also running out of time to address the threat to our democracy. After the attempted coup and ongoing voter suppression, we need to pass the Freedom to Vote Act to protect our right to vote, ensure fair representation, and get big money out of politics. In the Senate, we need Sen. Feinstein to get on board with ending the filibuster and passing this major legislation. Sen. Feinstein has made little effort to push the Freedom to Vote Act. In fact she seems perfectly happy to let Republicans use the filibuster to block it. We’re calling her to let her know she needs to get to work fighting to protect voting rights and speaking up against the filibuster. (Sen. Padilla is doing great speaking up… it’s Sen. Feinstein who needs a push!)
Call scripts and other actions are below.
Progressives stopped one attempt to tank Build Back Better. Now our Representative needs to hold the line! Tell them to vote NO on the “BIF” until we’ve passed an inclusive reconciliation package.
Rep. Garamendi OR Rep. Matsui: Hold the Line!
(Note: only contact your own Representative. You can find out whether it’s Garamendi or Matsui here)
- Rep. Garamendi (530) 753-5301 (Davis) (202)-225-1880 (D.C.) (email)
- Rep. Matsui (916) 498-5600 (Sacramento) (202) 225-7163 (D.C.) (email)
Sample Call Script:
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] from [YOUR CITY, ZIP].
I’m calling to ask [Rep. Garamendi/Rep. Matsui] to support Biden’s agenda in reconciliation by voting NO on the bipartisan infrastructure bill until and unless a bold and inclusive reconciliation bill is passed first. We need all the pillars of the Build Back Better agenda included. Don’t give away our leverage; I want the Representative to hold the line!
(If you have time, you can list some of the priorities we are fighting for:)
Please fight to lower the Medicare eligibility age, cap out-of-pocket costs, and quickly phase in dental benefits (without co-pays). We need a pathway to citizenship for millions of immigrants; investments in climate, including a Clean Energy Standard (with no fossil fuels!) and a Civilian Climate Corps; investments in the Care Economy, including universal child care, federally guaranteed paid leave for all, and creating good jobs in the home and community based-care sector; investments in housing, especially deeply affordable housing and housing for unhoused populations; and we can pay for all of this while addressing extreme wealth inequality by taxing the ultra-rich and big corporations so they finally pay their fair share.
Tell Sen. Feinstein: End the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote Act
- Sen. Feinstein: 415-393-0707 (SF) 202-224-3841 (D.C) (email)
- Sen. Padilla: 916-448–2787 (Sacramento) 202-224-3553 (D.C.) (email)
Sample Call Script for Sen. Feinstein
Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME]. I’m a California voter from [CITY, zip code] and I’m a member of Indivisible Yolo.
I am calling today to ask Sen. Feinstein to start speaking up about the need to end the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote act. It’s time to protect voting rights and make voting more accessible, get big money out of politics, and ensure fair representation. We are running out of time and the Senator is silent on what she will do to pass the Freedom to Vote Act or whether she’s working to end the filibuster. I want to see a sense of urgency. Thank you.
Fight Back Fridays
You can head to this event series held by the 2020 Coalition Sacramento every Friday from 11:30am-12:30pm at 501 I St., the Federal Courthouse in Sacramento. Activists are demanding the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and for bold climate action from Congress. Details here: https://www.mobilize.us/2020coalitionsacramento/event/412859/
