251 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
OREGON STATE GOP SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES CONTINUE THEIR BOYCOTT AND REMAIN AWOL
“House Republicans walked out of the Oregon Capitol on Tuesday, joining their Senate colleagues in protest of a greenhouse gas emissions cap-and-trade bill.” (Statesman Journal)
The unacceptable behavior of the Oregon GOP state senators and representatives is ongoing as they continue to deny a quorum in both chambers. Action One below addresses actions related to this legislative malpractice.
CONGRESS MUST PASS A STAND-ALONE CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY BILL
America is unprepared to tackle Coronavirus because of Trump’s cuts to the CDC’s budget and his shuttering of the National Security Council’s and the Department of Homeland Security’s global health security teams.
Trump is scrambling, asking Congress for $2.5 billion to address Coronavirus. But instead of using the system Congress has for funding emergencies, the White House wants to take $37 million from the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program and $535 million from the Ebola preparedness program to fund emergency work on the Coronavirus.
Never mind how cruel it is to cut heating funding in winter ($37 million would heat homes for 750,000 families), or how foolish it is to stop work on the Ebola virus. Taking money crucial for programs is also unnecessary.
Congress has a special system for funding emergencies that is outside the usual budget process. There doesn’t need to be a battle about transferring money among accounts. Emergency funding is also tightly tied to addressing the emergency. It cannot be diverted to other programs if there is a surplus.
This looming funding fight is unnecessary as we face a real emergency.
Congress should pass a stand-alone emergency Coronavirus spending bill.
Quickly.
**ACTION ONE: GET THE OREGON LEGISLATURE BACK TO WORK**
Join the Rural Oregon Climate Political Action Committee (ROCPAC) and citizens from all walks of life who are calling on Republican legislators to return to Salem and do the jobs they were elected to do!
Everyone interested and willing to connect and peacefully protest the walkout by the Oregon State Senate and House Republicans is invited to gather at noon daily at both the Jackson and Josephine County Republican offices.
311 W Main Street, Medford
513 NE 6th Street, Grants Pass
These daily gatherings will continue until the Republicans return to work.
Additionally, this is a link to our RAPID RESPONSE TOOLKIT FOR THE OREGON GOP BOYCOTT. Please read this document for possible actions and sample scripts. We must demand that these people do the work they were elected to accomplish.
Click here to find who represents you. Call or otherwise contact them to demand that they return to work and DO THEIR JOB.
**ACTION TWO: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR SENATORS MERKLEY AND WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because . . .
. . . it is outrageous that Trump wants to pay for fighting the Coronavirus by taking funds out of the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program and the Ebola response program. Congress must leave these funds alone and quickly pass a stand-alone funding bill to tackle the Coronavirus.
Thank you.”
SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR RON WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
**ACTION THREE: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because . . .
. . . it is outrageous that Trump wants to pay for fighting the Coronavirus by taking funds out of the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program and the Ebola response program. Congress must leave these funds alone and quickly pass a stand-alone funding bill to tackle the Coronavirus.
Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDENDC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION FOUR: BE AN ACTIVIST**
Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Days of Action- Oregon GOP Return to Work! – Medford and Grants Pass
TODAY: February 27 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-days-of-action-medford-and-grants-pass/
Greg Walden Josephine County Town Hall – Grants Pass
February 29 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/greg-walden-josephine-county-town-hall-grants-pass/
De-escalation Training – Talent
March 7 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/de-escalation-training-talent/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Save Our Democracy Organizing Kick-Off – Ashland
March 7 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-save-our-democracy-organizing-kick-off-ashland/
Flash Mob Dance Rehearsals for “Break the Chain” for the Women’s March Southern Oregon on March 29 – Ashland
March 8 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/flash-mob-dance-rehearsals-for-break-the-chain-for-the-womens-march-southern-oregon-on-march-29-ashland/
ORD2 Indivisible General Meeting Featuring Representative Pam Marsh – Phoenix
March 9 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/ord2-indivisible-general-meeting-featuring-pam-marsh-phoenix/
Rogue Indivisible Spring Fundraising Event & Silent Auction – Grants Pass
March 11 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/rogue-indivisible-spring-fundraising-event-silent-auction-grants-pass/
Flash Mob Dance Rehearsals for “Break the Chain” for the Women’s March Southern Oregon on March 29 – Central Point
March 15 @ 12:00 pm – April 19 @ 1:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/flash-mob-dance-rehearsals-for-break-the-chain-for-the-womens-march-southern-oregon-on-march-29-central-point/
VOTER ISSUES PROJECT ROLLOUT & PIZZA PARTY – TALENT
March 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/voter-issues-project-rollout-pizza-party-talent/
Women’s March Southern Oregon – Medford
March 29 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/womens-march-southern-oregon-medford-2/
ORD2 Indivisible 2020 Fundraising Campaign
As we approach what will be the most important election of our lifetimes, ORD2 Indivisible wants to be in a secure financial position to help engage as many voters in our district in the election process as possible. To accomplish this goal we are conducting the ORD2 Indivisible 2020 fundraising campaign. Click on the image below to donate.
To make a donation by check, please make the check payable to ORD2 Indivisible and mail to:
ORD2 Indivisible
P.O. Box 1242, Phoenix, OR 97535
ORD2 Indivisible is partnering with Jobs With Justice Southern Oregon and Washington Federal Bank to gather warm adult clothing for the homeless. We are also asking for tarps, throw blankets and sleeping bags.
Please donate generously!
SOURCES:
Trump has already hamstrung the US Coronavirus response
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/02/trump-has-already-hamstrung-the-us-coronavirus-response
CDC official warns that Coronavirus epidemic in US is inevitable: https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/25/health/coronavirus-us-american-cases/index.html
Transfer $37 million from LIHEAP: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/02/25/behind-our-sluggish-response-coronavirus-an-unnecessary-battle-over-funding/
Transfer $535 from Ebola program: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/white-house-seeks-2-5b-coronavirus-pelosi-says-s-not-n1142276
Administration response to date: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/02/what-we-know-about-the-trump-admins-response-to-coronavirus.html