Indivisibles,

After a long weekend (2 weeks? 8 months?) of negotiations in Congress, it looks like we can finally expect a COVID-19 relief package to pass later today.

The full bill is over 5,500 pages, but we want to highlight a few key provisions that were included: 

• Extended unemployment benefits that include a $300 weekly supplement
• Extended federal protections against eviction
• Revival of the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses
• Direct survival payments of $600 for adults and children
• Includes mixed-status households in the direct cash benefit 

We won’t frame this deal as a win -- there’s something especially hypocritical about wealthy politicians debating whether their constituents deserve direct cash payments during a pandemic -- but it’s a desperately needed step in the right direction. The truth is, this package is a bandaid, and alone doesn’t even begin to address the crisis we’re facing.

Rep. Ilhan Omar and her colleagues in the Congressional Progressive Caucus have been advocating for the relief package to include $1,200 survival checks and enhanced unemployment insurance benefits. And while the checks aren’t as big as needed, progressives are the reason there are checks in this package at all -- much to the dismay of Mitch McConnell and his corporate donors. We’ve told you why we need a progressive voting bloc in Congress, and this deal is the first test of their power -- and the first proof that we can win these fights.

We are encouraged by the new power of the CPC, and we plan to work with them to fight right away for another relief bill that meets the severity of this moment in early 2021.  

In the meantime, here are your weekly to-dos:

 Your weekly to-dos 

1. Review this list of actions you can take to impact the results of the Georgia runoffs. Early voting in Georgia is off to an impressive start -- since last week, 1.4 million Georgians have cast their votes. This turnout tells us voters are enthusiastic for change and it's more crucial than ever for us to ensure they’re prepared and informed. Whether it's writing letters or making calls (in English or Spanish!), there are plenty of opportunities to reach voters in the next few weeks. Can’t volunteer but still want to make an impact? Donate to support our plans in Georgia and all our work.
2. Record a video demanding your member of Congress pass COVID relief NOW. We want to hear from you -- submit a video addressing your member of Congress and telling them why relief can't wait. Please feel free to share how COVID-19 has impacted you and your community, and what a relief bill would mean to you.
3. Learn more about the power of a progressive voting bloc in Congress. The relief package negotiations are a key example of how House progressives can force leadership to listen to their demands and win key victories. Progressives hold a significant portion of the total Democratic seats in the House, including some exciting progressive freshmen. They’ve had our back, now it’s time for us to have theirs.
4. Read and share this summary of our priorities for the final weeks of 2020. We’ve got plans for this transition period between now and Inauguration Day -- including helping Democrats regain full control of both chambers of Congress. We know we’re keeping control of the House, but we won’t know the Senate’s makeup until after the Georgia runoff elections in January 2021. There’s a lot of uncertainty right now, but we’ve got lots of goals to finish the year strong. 

 2020 Update 

The early voting numbers we’re seeing out of Georgia are impressive -- more than 1.4 million Georgians have voted, 41,000 of whom did not vote in November. The turnout we’re seeing is due in no small part to the massive get out the vote efforts of volunteers and organizations from all over the country. After Georgia went blue in November, state officials haven’t wasted any time in purposely disenfranchising Black and brown voters by reducing the number of polling locations. We can’t afford to lose steam; voters across the state need our support. 

The best way to have an impact on this election is to continue making calls and talking directly to voters. Take action by signing up for voter contact opportunities with our partner, Color of Change. Sign up for a Virtual Black Joy Call Party to make calls to Black voters in Georgia.

Also, consider signing up for Color of Change's ‘Allies for Black Joy’ event on December 28. This is a space to discuss what allyship looks like in this moment and how to make a plan to leverage your power and ensure a win in Georgia.

National events

January National Activist Call 
Join us for the first National Activist Call of 2021. This call is taking place right after the Georgia runoff elections AND after Congress meets to count the electoral votes from each state -- that’s on purpose. We’ll have plenty to talk about so we hope to see you there!
Date: January 7, 2021, at 8 pm EST -- Register here. 

Georgia GOTV Call-a-Thon with special guest -- Alyssa Milano!
Join Indivisibles and activist Alyssa Milano to call Georgia voters in the final hours before the runoff election. By talking to these voters directly, you’ll have a chance to empower them to turn out to help push Warnock and Ossoff across the finish line. 
Date: January 4, 2021, at 6 pm EST -- Register here. 

We also want to point out our recently updated events map! Use it to find virtual or in-person events happening all through next year.

 Georgia runoffs: our latest ads are coming soon

After a weeks-long ban, Facebook is finally starting to allow just a few political ads again for the Georgia runoffs. Digital ads are a crucial way we reach folks with up-to-date information and calls to action, and with only a few weeks left until Election Day in Georgia, we need to get them up and running.  

We’re planning to launch our next rounds of ads tomorrow to get the vote out in Spanish-speaking and rural communities, and we’re making an initial $40,000 investment to get them in front of voters. These ads will activate key constituencies in Georgia so we can win two crucial seats in the Senate -- putting all our progressive goals within reach. We need your help: donate $10 to get our ads live on Facebook, take back the Senate, and support all our work.

Goodbye, 2020 

With just a few days left in 2020, we are setting our sights on the beginning of next year and all of our progressive priorities in 2021. We won’t have a newsletter for you next Monday, but be on the lookout for details about how to stay involved with the Georgia races and any other updates ahead of the new year.

In solidarity,
Indivisible Team