Our movement is full of peaks and valleys, and today, John, we are experiencing both.

 

Last night, as the heartbreaking results came in from Ohio, something incredible was happening in Washington, D.C.

The White House suddenly announced a 60-day extension on the federal eviction moratorium -- and rightfully, everyone credited Cori Bush.

It all started when Cori took a chair to the Capitol steps by herself on Friday night. She logged into Facebook Live and announced that she would sleep outside the Capitol until President Biden or Congress did their duty to keep people in their homes.

 

This movement swelled overnight. Dozens, then hundreds joined her. Even moderate Democrats joined in.

 

Cori’s fearless leadership moved mountains, and everyone saw it.

 

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez described it as “Servant leadership in action.”

 

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in an email to his supporters that Cori “gave voice to millions” and applauded her work in making this possible.

 

Journalist Mehdi Hasan wrote on Twitter: “When you elect people like Cori Bush to Congress, who comes from a very different background to most other members of Congress, you get very different tactics -- and very different results.”

 

Detractors derided her action as a pointless publicity stunt. But the results speak for themselves.

While we are understandably heartbroken that Nina didn’t win this time, we must also reflect on what it takes to win.

 

Cori didn’t win her race the first time she ran for Congress. In fact, she lost twice. She ran for Senate in 2016, and for the House in 2018. But she got up to fight another day.

 

She ran again in 2020. And despite being hospitalized with COVID, despite the slander and the death threats she received -- this time she won.

 

If Cori had given up -- if we had given up -- she would not have been there to stand up for the 11 million people who get to breathe a little easier tonight.

 

That’s why we stay in this fight. Even when it’s hard. Even when it feels impossible.

 

Because, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

 

We have a lot of work to do, John . In 2022 we have to make sure Cori, AOC, Jamaal, and Rashida are all re-elected. And we need to fight for the nearly dozen new candidates we’ve announced -- with more on the way very, very soon.

 

We’re getting up to fight another day. And together, we will move mountains.

 

Cory Archibald

Board Chair

Brand New Congress