CALL TO ACTION #1052: Pass a “We the People” Budget (November 17, 2020)

49 Days until the Senate Runoff Election in Georgia!

(Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossof)

See Action Three below for ways to HELP these two guys!


***Today’s Call To Action***

Pass a “We the People” Budget


Wining the election is one thing; governing is another. Black, Indigenous and People of Colors’ (BIPOC) needs must be central to the new administration, just as their votes were central to winning the presidency. President-Elect Biden began by appointing the most diverse transition team ever. We urge him to continue with this pattern for his Cabinet and White House staff.

Meanwhile, Congress is negotiating the FY 2021 spending bills. These bills should incorporate an anti-racist perspective, but we will need to fight for that outcome. The Senate bills have no COVID relief and inadequate EPA funding, undermining Biden’s agenda and continuing to hurt BIPOC communities.

We ask our members of Congress for:

  • Extended unemployment coverage with the $600 supplement.
  • Budget relief for state and local governments.
  • Health care costs for COVID treatment, and protections for front-line health workers.
  • Medicaid coverage for undocumented Americans, many of whom are working in essential services.
  • Full funding for the EPA so that BIPOC communities stop suffering more from pollution.
  • Decreased funding for ICE.

Social and economic justice will only be achieved with government action. That’s us — Of, By and For the People.

Tell Congress We Want Anti-Racist Action NOW!


**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR U.S. SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATOR MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. 

For Wyden: Please thank the Senator for his leadership on legislation to protect undocumented immigrants and to provide COVID relief.

For Merkley: Please thank the Senator for his leadership on legislation to protect the environment, undocumented immigrants, to provide COVID relief, and pass HR1.

I am calling to ask him to fight for these issues and more in the FY 2021 budget, specifically to press for the House bill which includes:

  • Extended and expanded unemployment coverage.
  • Budget relief for state and local governments.
  • Health care costs for COVID treatment, and protections for front-line health workers.
  • Medicaid coverage for undocumented Americans, many of whom are working in essential services.
  • Full funding for the EPA so that BIPOC communities stop suffering more from pollution.
  • Decreased funding for ICE.

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]. 

There isn’t much left to say; Greg Walden has clearly betrayed his oath of office, mistaking his political party for the America of We The People. He should be ashamed for allowing Trump to ransack our government institutions.

This is a betrayal of the highest order; history will not be kind.

Thank you.”

COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN

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: BE AN ACTIVIST**

ONGOING:  Two US Senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, have runoff elections coming up in Georgia, and we could wrest the power of the majority from Mitch McConnell if they win – a very good thing indeed. If you want to get involved in that effort, here are a couple of easy ways to do that…
Donate: To Stacey Abrams group, Fair Fight: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fair-fight-1

November 18, 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ongoing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
#MyORHealth  Support is available for Oregon’s “helpers”

Lines for Life has created a Virtual Wellness Room to offer support to helpers, mental health professionals, first responders, social workers and anyone considered an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon. Each check-in call will have a facilitator to guide the conversation.

“We at Lines for Life want to thank you for all the work you do to keep our communities safe,” the organization said. “We are offering a place for helpers to exchange stories of hope and areas of need. We especially want to hear what things are coming up for you personally and explore how we can cheer one another on to continue the good work you are already doing. We ultimately want to create space to breathe out stress and breathe in hope.”

The meetings are held using Zoom conference calls from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at this link: https://zoom.us/j/4848426773Please share this invite with anyone in your network of Oregon helpers.

**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/