Produced by Democrats of the Red Rocks and Coconino County Democratic Party
THIS WEEK’S ALERTS: Tell Kelly and Sinema to vote yes on Build Back Better; To O’Halleran – We’re watching the Jan 6th investigation for accountability; To our Senators: ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on dangerous greenhouse gases.
A. Senators Kelly and Sinema on Reconciliation Bill (Social Infrastructure): The House has just passed the Build Back Better reconciliation bill and it goes now to the Senate! Review by the Congressional Budget Office has shown that the measures in the bill will pay for themselves, NOT add to the federal deficit. So Senator Sinema has no reason to hold back approval because of the cost. It’s critical that we get this bill through the Senate – it will have historic impact on climate action, on health care access and costs, and on other critical pieces of our social infrastructure.
Sample script: “My name is XXXX; I live and vote in YYY, Arizona. I know you’ve communicated with your constituents about the important investments that are being made thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill – and we are grateful for your support and leadership in that effort. But those improvements in roads, bridges, and internet are not enough – we need to invest in families, social infrastructure, and climate action too! The House of Representatives has done the very hard work of hammering out compromises for the Build Back Better act in many areas, from expansion of health care access and lower drug prices, to the childcare tax credit and expansion of home and community based care, to meaningful investments in clean energy jobs and climate action. And now the CBO has provided a detailed analysis showing this package will more than pay for itself! Please move NOW to support this bill through reconciliation – we can’t afford NOT to make these investments.”
Sen. Sinema: Call (202) 224-4521 (DC) or (602) 598-7327. Email via her website at “http://www.sinema.senate.gov” Tag the Senator at @senatorsinema.
Sen. Mark Kelly: Call (202) 224-2235 (DC), Email via his website at http://www.kelly.senate.gov Tag the Senator at @senmarkkelly .
B. KEEP AWARENESS ON JAN 6th INSURRECTION: The House Select Committee investigating the events leading up to the January 6th attempt to block certification of President Biden’s election is reaching a critical juncture; they’ve subpoenaed key witnesses (like Steve Bannon) and are now holding those people accountable (e.g., Bannon has been taken into custody with criminal charges filed for contempt of Congress). Meanwhile several in-depth media reports have documented the involvement of Arizona GOP politicians before and during the Jan. 6th demonstrations (including US Representatives Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs, and State Rep. Mark Finchem – who is now running for AZ Secretary of State). Representative O’Halleran is not a member of the Select Committee, but nonetheless it is important that he hear from us about our interest in holding accountable those who contributed to planning and executing the events of Jan. 6th.
Sample text or message for Rep. O’Halleran: “My name is XXXX, and I am a voter and constituent in northern Arizona. The incursion of violent, armed protesters who attempted to block the certification of the presidential election results back on January 6th was a terrible threat to our democracy. I know you are not a member of the January 6th Commission, but I wanted to let you know that many of us are following the investigation with great interest. It is critical to hold people accountable for this attempt to subvert our election and prevent the transition of power. I’m especially dismayed at how many elected officials for Arizona were part of this attempt to prevent the peaceful transition of the government – including Congressman Paul Gosar. I’m encouraged that Steve Bannon has actually been charged with criminal contempt of Congress. Please urge your colleagues to make sure those who have been subpoenaed do show up to testify. And please know that we appreciate all you do to protect our right to vote and our democratic form of government.”
Rep. O’Halleran: Call (202) 225-3361. Email via his website at Contact | Congressman Tom O´Halleran (house.gov) .
C. ASK THE SENATE TO RATIFY THE KIGALI AMENDMENT TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL – PHASING OUT DANGEROUS GREENHOUSE GAS COMPOUNDS: More than 120 nations (including China and most European countries) have already ratified an amendment to the so-called Montreal Protocol, which limits production of certain refrigerants that contribute hugely to climate disruption. The amendment expands the international treaty to require phasing out of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases, which have been used to substitute for the banned refrigerants but which themselves are also potent greenhouse gases. The Trump administration had declined to join the rest of the world in this effort to limit climate damage, but President Biden has now conveyed the treaty to the Senate for ratification. Action on this would bring manufacturers in the US into compliance with the rest of the world, meaning that our technology and products will be marketable and competitive – as well as helping us make actual progress on mitigating climate change.
Sample text or message to our Senators: “My name is XXXX, and I’m a long-time resident and voter in northern Arizona. Climate change poses an existential threat to society and to the beautiful Arizona landscapes we treasure. I was excited to hear that President Biden conveyed the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to the Senate last week. At long last we have the chance to act in phasing out dangerous HFC’s. And it is so important to US manufacturing that we avoid technologies – like HFC’s – that are unacceptable to China, Europe, and other countries. Previous amendments to this treaty have all passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support – I hope you will help ensure that the Kigali Amendment is ratified soon. ”
Sen. Sinema: Call (202) 224-4521 (DC) or (602) 598-7327. Email via her website at “http://www.sinema.senate.gov” Tag the Senator at @senatorsinema.
Sen. Mark Kelly: Call (202) 224-2235 (DC), Email via his website at http://www.kelly.senate.gov Tag the Senator at @senmarkkelly .
If you can access the Washington Post: Biden submits Kigali Amendment to Senate for ratification – The Washington Post
Press release from Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works: Carper Statement on Kigali Amendment Transmittal to the U.S. Senate – Press Releases – U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works