#phone script
Justice Anthony Kennedy is retiring, which means President Trump gets to appoint another Supreme Court justice - and he’s already promised to appoint someone who will overturn Roe v. Wade.
Two years ago, Mitch McConnell blocked Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, saying, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice.” With just four months until Election Day, the same standard should apply now. Call your Senators and urge them not to vote on a Supreme Court nominee until after the 2018 election!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [[your name]] and I’m a constituent from [[your city]]. I’m calling because I’m extremely concerned about the upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court. In 2016, Mitch McConnell refused to hold a hearing on Merrick Garland because it was too close to an election. I’m asking Senator [So and so] to apply the same standard now and refuse to hold a hearing or vote until the new Senate in January. Thank you.”
More than 2,000 children have been separated from their parents at the border and held in detention centers. (ProPublica got a recording of children recently separated from their parents, if you want your heart shattered.) This is a result of a Trump administration policy referring everyone who crosses the border to criminal prosecution – and while Trump is blaming Congress, the truth is his administration started this and could change it at any time.
It’s horrifying, but Congress can do something to stop it. Here’s a script to call your Senators and Representatives:
“Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a constituent from [Your Town]. I’m calling because I’m horrified about the Trump administration policy separating families at the border. Is Senator/Representative [So-and-so] co-sponsoring the Keeping Family Together Act?
If Yes: Great! I hope they’ll keep doing everything they can to stop family separations. Thank you!
If No: That’s terrible. Separating families is wrong, and I hope they’ll co-sponsor the Keep Families Together Act.”
If your representative is a House Republican, they might say they’re supporting Paul Ryan’s immigration bill, which they’ll claim protects Dreamers and separated families. This is bullshit. The bill restricts access to asylum and makes it easier to deport parents - even without their children. Don’t fall for it!
Done calling Congress? Great! Here’s a few more ways you can help:
1)Donate:Here’s a page that lets you donate to 8 organizations helping families and kids at the border. Or, Slate has a long list of charities you can support.
2)Protest:You can find protests happening near you through Families Belong TogetherorIndivisible.
Last Friday in the middle of the night, Republicans passed their tax bill, complete with last-second amendments scribbled in the margins. They rewrote the entire American economy with no time for Senators to even read the bill or see expert analysis - and now, many middle class and lower-income families could face tax hikes or lose critical services just to pay for a tax cut for the wealthiest few.
But this bill still has a hurdle to clear: The House and Senate versions are very different, and need to be combined before the bill can pass. That means we still have time to call both members of the House and Senate before the final vote.
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town], and I’m frankly disgusted by the tax bill recently passed by the Senate. Adding last-minute amendments doesn’t fix the fact that this bill blows up the deficit and raises taxes on middle-class families to pay for a big tax cut for the wealthy. I want [Senator/Representative] so-and-so to vote against this bill when it comes to conference. Thank you.”
House Republicans just forced through a major tax bill in two weeks with no hearings. Now, the Senate will consider their version - and unbelievably, it’s even worse. They’re trying to sneak partial repeal of the Affordable Care Act into the tax overhaul - and experts say that as a result, this bill will leave 13 million people uninsured, drastically raise insurance premiums and raise taxes on people making less than $75,000 a year.
Here’s the good news: Republicans can only lose two votes in the Senate, and several moderates have already expressed concerns with the bill. We can stop this the way we stopped repeal of the Affordable Care Act, but we have to act fast. Call your Senator and urge them to oppose this bill!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling to ask Senator So-and-so to vote against the Republican tax plan. Bipartisan analysis shows that this plan actually raises taxes on many middle class families, raises insurance premiums, forces millions of people off their insurance and blows up the deficit, just to give the wealthy a tax cut. I hope that Senator So-and-so will do everything they can to stop this bill. Thank you!”
The House of Representatives plans to vote TODAY (11/16) on the Republican tax bill, which gives corporations and the wealthy a HUGE tax break while raising taxes on some middle-class families and threatening the programs low-income people depend on.
We’ve talked about some of the big ways this bill hurts people, from making higher education less affordable to endangering Medicare. Before today’s vote, I want to share a grab-bag of other reasons this bill is bad. (This is not a comprehensive list):
- Removes tax credits that help families afford adoption
- Removes tax credit for people with very high medical expenses
- Removes incentives for renewable energy while keeping giant subsidies for fossil fuels
-Repeals the estate tax, giving a small handful of rich families a huge windfall
-Repeals the Alternative Minimum Tax, allowing rich individuals to pay even less of their fair share
Call your representative BEFORE NOON and urge them to oppose this bill!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling to ask Representative So-and-so to vote against the Republican tax plan today. There’s a lot of awful provisions in this bill, but i’m particularly concerned about [a provision that matters to you]. I hope that Representative So-and-so will oppose this bill when it comes to the floor.”
The House is voting TOMORROW (11/16) on their tax bill. If they pass it, it goes to the Senate, which plans to make significant changes. But one thing is true across the board: This bill increases the deficit so much that it could trigger massive mandatory cuts to programs like Medicare and student loans.
The law behind it is a bit complicated, but the consequences are simple: Millions of Americans who depend on government programs would get hurt to pay for a huge tax cut for corporations and the ultra-rich.
The vote is TOMORROW, so call your member of the House today and urge them to vote against this bill!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling to urge Representative So-and-so to oppose the GOP tax bill. I’m deeply concerned about reports that this bill will trigger mandatory PayGo cuts to Medicare and other programs. It’s really irresponsible to risk the programs that Americans depend on just to give the rich a tax cut. I hope that Representative So-and-so will vote no on this bill. Thank you!”
The GOP is voting this Thursday (11/16) on a sweeping tax bill and it’s a NIGHTMARE for students and teachers. It guts credits and deductions that help students get an affordable education:
- Takes away a deduction for teachers who spend their own money to buy classroom supplies
- Takes away the student loan interest deduction, increasing the cost of student loan borrowers by $13 BILLION
- Makes graduate student tuition waivers taxable, dramatically raising taxes on anyone getting a master’s degree or PhD
- Takes away the Lifetime Learning Credit, which helps grad students and others going back to school afford their education.
Call your representative and tell them to oppose this bill!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling to urge Representative So-and-so to oppose the GOP tax bill. This bill really hurts students and teachers by getting rid of deductions that help make education affordable. I’m particularly worried about [the change that most worries you]. I hope that Representative So-and-so will vote no on this bill. Thank you!”
Republicans in the House of Representatives plan to vote on Thursday on their tax bill. It’s a nightmare for more reasons than we can fit in a single script, so this week we’ll be posting daily scripts focusing on different elements of this disastrous plan.
Today, we’re looking at the big picture: The Republican tax plan raises taxes for middle class families to pay for a tax cut for the super-wealthy. A new bipartisan analysis says that the GOP plan would raise taxes for 13.8 million moderate-income households.
Call your representative to urge them to vote against this bill!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling to ask Representative So-and-so to vote against the Republican tax plan. Bipartisan analysis shows that this plan actually raises taxes on many middle class families and blows up the deficit just to give the wealthy a tax cut. I hope that Representative So-and-so will oppose this bill when it comes to the floor.”
Want a more detailed script? Indivisible has in-depth scripts for calling your Republican representativeorDemocratic representative.
The Senate is expected to vote on a budget resolution on Thursday. This is the first step towards passing a massive tax cut for the very wealthy and corporations paid for by exploding the deficit, setting the stage for big cuts to critical programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Right now, Republicans may not have the votes to pass the resolution. Call your Senators on both sides of the aisle and tell them to oppose this tax plan!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling to ask Senator So-and-so to vote against the upcoming budget resolution for tax reform. I oppose any effort to cut taxes for the wealthy and corporations that increase the deficit or cut domestic spending and I hope the Senator will do the same. Thank you.”
President Trump just decided to stop cost sharing reduction (CSR) payments, money which helped insurance providers lower deductibles and premiums for low-income enrollees. It’s a horrible move for people on the healthcare exchanges: It’s expected to raise premiums, drive insurers out of the market and force people off their insurance.
Congress has already been working on bipartisan negotiations to stabilize the insurance market, including making the CSR payments permanent. Now it’s more important than ever that they pass a bill, quickly, to fund these payments. The Senate has been doing the most work on this, so call your senators and ask them to appropriate CSR payments!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling because I’m concerned about President Trump’s decision to stop funding cost sharing reduction payments, which will destabilize the health care market and raise premiums. I hope Senator So-and-so will support legislation to appropriate the CSR payments and stabilize the market. Thank you.”
It’s been three weeks since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and conditions on the island are still nightmarish: Many are without water, electricity, or cell phone service. People are still struggling to access medical treatment, food and drinking water. Congress is considering an aide package, but it provides primarily a loan that Puerto Rico would have to repay, deepening the island’s debt crisis. The Jones Act was temporarily waived, but is not back in effect.
Puerto Rico needs more help, and they need it now. Call your senators and representative to ask them to do more to help Puerto Rico!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m called because I’m still really concerned about conditions on Puerto Rico. Much of the island is still without water and power, and the aid package proposed by House Republicans doesn’t do enough to help. I hope that Representative/Senator So-and-so will call for more disaster relief, and permanently repeal the Jones Act so that Puerto Rico can get the supplies they need. Thank you.”
In the wake of the horrifying shooting in Las Vegas, some Republicans in Congress have expressed openness to banning bump stocks, used by the shooter to convert semiautomatic weapons to automatic. Since automatic weapons are already banned in the United States, this is an obvious, bipartisan reform that could help make shootings less deadly.
The bill already has 38 cosponsors in the Senate, but we need more if we want to build enough momentum to get it to the floor. Call both your Senators and ask them to cosponsor the bump stock ban!
Here’s your script:
“Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling to ask if Senator so-and-so has taken a position on Senator Feinstein’s bill banning bump stocks like the ones used in the Las Vegas shooting?”If undecided: “I really hope that Senator so-and-so will cosponsor this bill. There’s no reason anyone needs to be able to fire hundreds of rounds a minute, especially since automatic weapons are already illegal. Thank you.”
If opposed: “That’s terrible. There’s no reason anyone needs to be able to fire hundreds of rounds a minute, especially since automatic weapons are aleady illegal. I hope that Senator so-and-so will reconsider and cosponsor this bill to make future shootings less deadly.”
If supporting: “That’s great! I hope that Senator so-and-so will also consider cosponsoring the bill if they haven’t already. Thank you.”
Republicans and Democrats in the House have introduced a bipartisan bill to ban bump stocks! Use the script above your representatives and ask them to cosponsor!
It’s October Recess, which means your members of Congress are in town! Visit the Town Hall Project to find a town hall near you and talk to your representatives in person.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program covers 8.9 million children - and on September 30, it expired. If it isn’t reauthorized, states will start to run out of money as early as this month, potentially forcing them to cancel children’s plans. Call your senators and representative and urge them to reauthorize CHIP!
Here’s your script: Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling to ask Senator/Representative So-and-so to support reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program immediately. It’s really important to reauthorize this program before funding starts to expire. Thank you.”
The House of Representatives could vote as soon as this week on a bill to roll back restrictions on gun silencers. Critics argue that legalizing silencers makes it harder for police to find a gunman in an attack. In the wake of yet another horrific mass shooting, we shouldn’t be making it easier to shoot people undetected. Call your representative and urge them not to deregulate silencers.
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling because I’m concerned about proposed legislation to make it easier to buy gun silencers. Gun violence is already an enormous problem, and this bill will make us even less safe. I hope Representative So-and-so will vote against it. Thank you.”
Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, and the island is facing an unimaginable humanitarian crisis: All of the island could be without power for months, and critical supplies like fresh water and gas for generators are running out.
Puerto Rico is home to 3.5 million American citizens. This crisis is as if the entire state of Connecticut were without electricity and water for the indefinite future. But instead of sending more relief, Trump is tweeting about football. If the administration won’t act, we must pressure our members of representatives and senators to do more.
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling because I’m extremely concerned about the humanitarian crisis facing Puerto Rico. I want [Representative/Senator So-and-so] to immediately call for a new bill authorizing a second round of federal disaster relief funding to help with hurricane recovery. The crisis is just too big to wait until October for more funding. Thank you.”
Want to do more?
Call again and urge Congress to suspend or repeal the Jones Act, a World War I-era shipping law that drives up prices in Puerto Rico and is hindering recovery. (I recommend making this as a second call rather than adding it to your first. It’s always more effective to have a single ask of your representative at a time.)
Donate to relief organizations like Conprmetidos.
Senate Republicans have until September 30th to pass a bill repealing the Affordable Care Act, and they’re making a huge push for a horrible new plan.
The Graham-Cassidy health care bill cuts health care spending by making it a block grant, ends Medicaid as we know it and lets each state decide whether or not to protect people with preexisting conditions from discrimination. It’s a really bad bill, and they’re just one vote away from passing it.
We’ve won this fight before and we can win it again, but only if all of us speak out before September 30. Call your senators NOW, especially if they’re Republicans, and urge them to vote against this bill.
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling because I’m deeply concerned about the Graham-Cassidy health care bill and I want the Senator to oppose it. Instead of rushing through a bill to cap Medicaid and take coverage from millions, the Senate should pass bipartisan measures through regular order to stabilize the markets. Thank you.
Houston is still underwater and recovery from Hurricane Harvey will likely take years. But while people are still escaping their flooded homes, House Republicans are looking to cut nearly $1 BILLION from disaster relief funding to pay for Trump’s idiotic and immoral border wall.
House Republicans have done a lot of stupid, tone-deaf things, but this has to be one of the worst. Call your members of Congress and tell them: Don’t cut funding for disaster relief!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I’m a constituent from [Your Town]. I’m calling because I’m very concerned about the Houses’ proposed omnibus spending bill, which cuts nearly a billion dollars from disaster aid. With so many people displaced by Hurricane Harvey, we shouldn’t be taking away money to help them recover. I hope [Representative So-and-so] will vote against any bill that reduces disaster funding. Thank you.”
House Democrats have introduced a resolution to censure Trump for his comments after Charlottesville.The resolution is a formal, public rebuke of Trump’s defense of white supremacists and neo-Nazis. Both Republicans and Democrats have spoken out against Trump’s comments, so they should all be willing to condemn them officially.
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m calling to ask Representative So-and-so to co-sponsor the resolution to censure Trump for his remarks about Charlottesville. If Representative so-and-so really believes that it’s wrong to defend white supremacists and neo-Nazis, he should should support the resolution to send a clear, public message that the President’s rhetoric is unacceptable. Thank you.”
Want to ask your representative to do even more to fight white supremacy? Indivisible has some ideas on what to ask.
