Friend,

We are running out of time. The Senate is set to leave D.C. at the end of this week, and senators are still debating whether and how to get much-needed support to their constituents.

With the start of school looming large over millions of families and states still reeling under the COVID surge, it is unacceptable that there were ZERO dollars for essential communications services in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s initial relief bill.

Connecting to communications services like phone and broadband is a human right and no one should have to choose between paying their cable bill or buying groceries. Call (202) 919-7073 and use the script below to demand that the Senate pass a COVID stimulus package that will get and keep people connected to vital communications services.

“I’m calling to urge my senator to ensure that people can get and stay connected during the COVID-19 crisis. That means giving disconnected people a $50-per-month benefit to spend on broadband, prohibiting internet shutoffs and capping the price of prison-phone calls.”

It’s immoral to exclude funding that would ensure that people can communicate during a pandemic. And even before the pandemic, which has exacerbated existing inequities, people of color were more likely to lack a home-broadband connection. With school, jobs and health care moving online, it is more important than ever that Congress give people the help they need to access these vital communications services.

The Senate must take urgent action and your senators need to hear from you TODAY. Please take a few minutes to call your senators at (202) 919-7073 and use the script above.

Thanks for all that you do—

Heather and the rest of the Free Press Action team
freepress.net

P.S. Phones in Senate offices need to be ringing off of the hook. Call (202) 919-7073 and use the script above to demand that the Senate ensure people can connect and communicate during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.