CALL TO ACTION #889: Congress, Go Back To Work (March 30, 2020)
218 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
The Consolidated Oregon Indivisible Network (COIN)
Twenty-one Indivisible groups spanning the State of Oregon have signed an open letter to the Governor and the Legislature outlining their priorities – putting people and small businesses first – when the Special Session convenes THIS WEEK to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a link to the letter: COIN Letter
CONGRESS, GO BACK TO WORK
Congress passed a hard-fought stimulus package, then promptly packed up for vacation. The Senate left town last week for three weeks. The House is scheduled to leave April 1 for 2+ weeks. Neither returns until April 20.
COVID-19 is predicted to peak while they are gone. Trump is alone with no one to watch over him. Congress will not hold hearings, require reports and testimony from agency heads and cabinet secretaries, nor even publicly show it cares while the country lurches through a global pandemic.
What will Members of Congress be doing while away from Capitol Hill? They can’t hold town halls or fundraising parties in Oregon under Governor Brown’s Stay At Home/Stay Safe rules unless people stay six feet apart.
Congress should think like our first responders.
Work safely, but work.
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY and WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because . . .
I am appalled that the Senate is in recess until April 20. This is no time for a holiday from governing. Our medical workers are not taking vacations. Our state’s emergency response teams are still at work. I ask the Senator to publicly and repeatedly call for the Senate to return to session. And go back to DC himself, whether McConnell ends the recess or not.
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/
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 . . .
I am appalled that the House will go on recess for two weeks beginning next week. This is no time for a holiday from governing. Our medical workers are not taking vacations. Our state’s emergency response teams are still at work. Please tell Greg Walden to press House leadership to cancel the recess. Show the Senate how it’s done. Stay in DC and keep working for America.
Thank you.”
DC (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: HELP ORGANIZE VOTERS FROM HOME**
Organizing for the 2020 Election is going VIRTUAL!
- Find virtual events at http://swingleft.org/
- Host a virtual letter-writing party! Get started here: http://swingleft.org/p/virtual-letter-writing-party
- Call voters in Wisconsin about their April 7th election. Sign up for training and call info here. http://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/263614/
Stay tuned — more activities to come!
**ACTION FOUR: 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 in an envelope by your front door to cover the cost of postage. 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