January 9, 2023
House rules, a new Indivisible Guide, special elections in Virginia, and more!
Contact all members of Congress:
- MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD BEFORE TODAY’S HOUSE RULES VOTE:The House’s first order of business today will be a vote on the Rules for the 118th Congress. Given the concessions, some not made public, that were made for Kevin McCarthy to become Speaker of the House, there are grave concerns. Conservative writer Bill Kristol tweeted this about the Rules package: “Threatening a) the rule of law (interfering with criminal investigations), b) the full faith and credit of the U.S. (debt ceiling), c) standing with allies fighting aggressive dictators (the spending cuts)…the House GOP rules package really does its best to damage the nation.” 218 votes are necessary to pass the Rules package. Let’s make sure our representative knows that we do not want to align ourselves with the far right and hamstring our government.
- USE UPDATED STRATEGIES FROM INDIVISIBLE GUIDE TO RESIST THE EXTREME GOP HOUSE AGENDA
With the GOP now in charge of the House, we need new strategies to fight their attacks on our social safety net and democratic processes. Fortunately, Indivisible has a new guide to help us push back effectively, with concrete strategies to strengthen our Democratic representatives’ resolve to fight or to expose our Republican representatives’ unpopular, extremist stances. We can check out the guide here and find the strategies to help us limit harm, build voter strength for upcoming elections and further discredit the radical GOP policies. They want to divide and conquer, so let’s unite and win!
- ENCOURAGE BIPARTISAN COOPERATION:It is unfortunate that 20 Trump-loving members of the Freedom Caucus are calling the shots in the House after all the concessions House Speaker Kevin McCarthy had to make to get election to the position. In his speech before handing over the gavel to McCarthy, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gave a moving speech that spoke to the ideals of the Democrats and moderate Republicans who want to work together for the good of the county. Let’s contact our legislators in both houses of Congress to tell that we think it is time for them to work together for the common good.
- RELEASE WOMEN HELD AT BERKS COUNTY DETENTION CENTER:Last month the federal government announced that it was not renewing its contract with the Berks County Residential Center, a place where many women and children whose only crime was seeking asylum were held in detention in allegedly inhumane conditions. Berks is scheduled to close on January 31st. Now, we need to make sure thatthe women still detained at Berks are released rather than being transferred to another incarceration facility. Let’s call the White House switchboard at 202-456-1111 (11 am – 3 pm Tues-Thurs), Regional ICE Director Dave O’Neill at 215-656-7164 and leave a message for DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas at 202-282-8495 and ask them to free these women instead of transferring them to other prisons.
- PROTECT THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE IN THE VIRGINIA STATE SENATE:Forced birther groups are pouring money into tomorrow’s special election for Virginia’s Seventh State Senate District. Democratic candidate Aaron Rouse has made championing the right to choose his number one issue. Let’s help him get across the line by signing up for GOTV phonebanking shifts today and tomorrow.