Indivisibles,

January 9
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Those are all the days that Donald Trump either held a political rally or went golfing instead of preparing for the COVID-19 crisis (h/t Andrew). For months, he downplayed the severity of the coronavirus crisis and failed to take decisive action to prepare our nation, including not securing enough tests, personal protective equipment, and ventilators early on to stop the spread of the outbreak. 

The results have been devastating:

• More than 3,000 Americans have died, and Trump admits 200,000 Americans will die in the best-case scenario.
• Hospitals across the country are overwhelmed as they face shortages of basic medical equipment.
• Millions have lost their jobs or have their hours cut as we head into a recession.

Unfortunately, Donald Trump still hasn’t learned from his mistakes. He continues putting out false, misleading information and is still moving too slowly to help overloaded hospitals.

This reality is why it’s critical for our elected leaders in the House and Senate to continue responding to the crisis. 

Last week, Congress passed a third coronavirus response package. Thanks to Senate Democrats, it included some critical things that we need right now, like expanded unemployment insurance. But let’s be clear: this bill had major gaps. No expansion to paid sick leave, not enough support for front line workers, and no moratorium on foreclosures or evictions. It didn’t include nearly enough to protect our elections, and it grossly leaves millions of immigrants and their families out of the most important pieces of the bill, including unemployment insurance, rebate checks, and access to health care. 

As Congress already starts talking about a fourth package, it’s critical that House Democrats fight to ensure that the needs of all communities are met. Congress must work immediately to fill the gaps from the previous three packages and go further to reduce the inequality that puts so many families at risk in the first place. 

That’s why we’re joining with partners like Sunrise Movement, Working Families Party, MoveOn, and more to demand a People’s Bailout. Specifically, we’re asking Congress to prioritize five principles:

✅ Protect our democratic processes while protecting each other.

✅ Make health the top priority, for all people, with no exceptions.

✅ Provide economic relief directly to the people.

✅ Rescue workers and communities, not corporate executives.

✅ Make a down payment on a regenerative economy, while preventing future crises.

We’ve updated our #PeopleOverProfits landing page to give you all the details you need to join us in this fight (and lots of ways to take action). Head there, get up-to-speed and join us in this fight. As always, we’re honored to be in this with you.

And now, let’s get to those to-dos:

 Your 5 weekly to-dos 

1. Call your senator and tell them to prioritize a Coronavirus People’s Bailout. We need a package that prioritizes protecting our democratic systems, providing accessible health care for all, and direct economic support to everyone. Call your senators now to demand they support the People’s Bailout.
2. Call your representative and tell them the same. Millions of people could be left behind while corporations rake in trillions of tax-payer dollars. The House needs to make this right. Call your representatives now and demand that they support the above provisions be included in the next coronavirus package.
3. Email your representative and two senators and demand they prioritize a People’s Bailout. Use our tool to send a letter to your three members of Congress, which outlines what a People’s Bailout would include.
4. Record a video demanding your members of Congress prioritize a People’s Bailout and tell us how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted your life. We’ll uplift you and show reporters and members of Congress that even though we’re not rallying in the streets, Indivisibles are still working hard to hold their members of Congress accountable and build a sense of shared community. Use this opportunity to use your voice to control the narrative.
5. TONIGHT: Join us at 8pm ET for a "Be a Hero" call with Stacey Abrams, Senator Sherrod Brown, and more. The challenges we currently face are immense, but we believe if the progressive movement comes together to organize, plan, and mobilize, we can hold elected officials accountable and pass relief that puts people first. This is an important moment for us to unite with progressive coalition partners, so don’t miss your chance to virtually meet other activists all across the country. This call replaces the National Activist call originally scheduled for April 2.
6. If your group has endorsed a candidate locally, nominate that candidate for a national endorsement. We have five more waves of endorsements planned in April, June, July, and October. We’ll accept nominations on a rolling basis throughout the election cycle. If you’d like to submit for the next round, groups have until 11:59pm PT on Thursday, February 20, to submit candidates for the third round of endorsements. 

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 2020 Update 

With the risk of coronavirus looming overhead, many states are scrambling to establish contingency plans to protect voters and poll workers while also ensuring that the democratic process continues. So far 14 states have postponed their primaries. Read on to learn more:

• As of 12pm on March 31, five primaries are set to take place in April: Wisconsin (4/7), Alaska (4/10, entirely by mail), Wyoming (4/17, entirely by mail), Puerto Rico (4/26), and Ohio (4/28). There is currently a battery of lawsuits in Wisconsin, looking to delay the election and expand absentee voting. As of Friday, over 767,000 voters in Wisconsin, less than one-quarter of all registered voters in the state, have requested an absentee ballot.
• Are you a Wisconsin voter who needs an absentee ballot? Be sure to go online to request your absentee ballot. When you get your ballot, fill it out and mail it back ASAP so that it ARRIVES at your municipal clerk’s office by Tuesday, April 7 -- just in case the WI primary isn’t postponed.
• Originally host to only 5 contests, June 2 now has 11 states slated to hold primary elections, making it the second-largest primary day after Super Tuesday: Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Dakota. Many of the rescheduled states are also looking at expanding access to no-excuse absentee/vote-by-mail ballots (exceptions include Connecticut and Maryland). 
• Democratic leaders are calling on elected officials to “enact a set of reforms that will guarantee the freedom to vote does not end up as yet another casualty of [coronavirus].” With record-breaking turnout projected for the November general election, states are at a turning point for enacting those reforms. More than two-thirds of Americans say they would feel uncomfortable going to a polling place to vote, according to a new Pew Research Center survey, making a compelling case for expanding all voting to vote-by-mail. The most recently signed coronavirus relief package contained $400 million in election security grants, a figure that’s far below the estimated $2 billion that has been cited as the necessary amount to fully ensure safe elections during the pandemic, while corporations have been given a $500 billion bailout. We think fully funding fair and safe elections are more important than unrestricted corporate slush funds, so we’re demanding Congress put people over profits and approve at least $2 billion in funding to protect our democratic process while protecting each other. 

 Find an IndivisiEvent near you 

 Support the Movement 

Republicans in the Senate are actively fighting for legislation that prioritizes corporate profits over people’s lives and health -- and fighting against provisions to strengthen our democracy’s ability to cope with this crisis. Not only that, but they’re also fighting hard to stay in office so they can keep giving away our democracy to the highest bidder. This proves, more than ever, why we can’t stop fighting back.

We need to come out on the other side of this pandemic with a more resilient and more responsive democratic system. That’s why we started the Payback Project a few months ago. A lot has changed since then, but one thing hasn’t: we need your help to win in November. Can you make a $10 donation to fund the Payback Project and all our work this year?

 IndivisiWin of the Week 

On Saturday, activists around the country joined the #PeoplesBailout digital rally, sharing their videos about why Congress needs to put the people’s needs ahead of corporate profits. Click here to check out the videos from this weekend!

We hope you’ve been staying healthy and safe. As we all adjust together to our new normal and our lives change to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and protect ourselves and our families, Indivisibles all over the country have once again risen to the occasion and shown that we know how to respond in the face of sudden, seemingly insurmountable challenges. However you’re processing and responding to this, we’re grateful you’re a part of our network of changemakers who know how to take care of each other. 

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team