CALL TO ACTION #885: Bailout Needs Work; Hospitals Need Equipment (March 24, 2020)
224 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
BAILOUT NEEDS WORK
HOSPITALS NEED EQUIPMENT
America needs strong, informed leadership responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump is neither. He has abdicated his responsibility.
Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and the rest of Congress must step in to fill the national leadership vacuum – give money to people, loans with controls on corporations, and equipment to health care workers.
When taxpayers lent billions to rescue the airlines in 2011, companies later used profits to drive up stocks and cut workers’ jobs instead of improving services and working conditions. Corporate CEO’s cannot be trusted to use bailout money for the common good. Their salary packages are tied to profit, not people.
Senate Republicans are working for corporate America by:
- Providing a $500 billion corporate bailout with weak limits on stock buybacks and loopholes that allow Treasury Secretary Mnuchin to make secret loans. It would be Trump’s slush fund with no oversight.
- Excluding non-profits receiving Medicaid from loans. This means nursing homes, health centers, group homes and community-based providers (to people with disabilities or mental health issues) won’t get critical aid.
Democrats are working for the American people:
- Senate Democrats are holding the line, demanding real controls on big business bailouts and more money for hospitals.
- House Democrats have introduced a bigger relief package that will truly help people.
- Senate and House Democrats are pushing legislation to force Trump to order the production of much-needed medical equipment.
Use your time at home to call Congress.
Demand relief for people, not corporations.
**ACTION ONE: 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 . . .
1) I thank the Senator for twice refusing to pass a massive bailout package with major flaws. I ask him to make sure the final bill does not have a $500 bailout slush fund and that non-profits receiving Medicaid also get help. GET IT DONE TODAY!
2) I implore Congress to pass the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act. Congress must force the Administration to take control of the manufacturing and distribution of scarce medical equipment. We need massive production and fair distribution NOW.
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 TWO: 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 . . .
1) We need tight controls on any bailout funds going to corporations. Tell Greg Walden that the final package must protect workers’ jobs and prevent tax dollars from financing stock buybacks and job cutbacks.
2) I implore Congress to pass the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act. Congress must force the Administration to take control of the manufacturing and distribution of scarce medical equipment. We need massive production and fair distribution NOW.
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 THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**
All ORD2 Indivisible sponsored events have been canceled in order to minimize public gatherings. We anticipate rescheduling several events in the near future and will provide updates in the daily Call to Action and on the ORD2 Indivisible website event calendar.
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/
Let the Coronavirus NOT stop you from being an activist – keep your social distance and join our ORD2 Indivisible Virtual Postcard Party!
If you live in Medford, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Talent or Ashland, we’ll deliver to your doorstep a pack(s) with 25 stamped postcards and stickers to write for a campaign through https://postcardstovoters.org/
We ask you to leave a donation of $10 per packet to cover the cost of supplies and postage in an envelope by your front door. We’ll drop off a packet(s) with everything you need to write from home.
Simply join postcardstovoters.org online. Once you get your packet of cards from us, write your cards and mail them from home.
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.
