John,
Last week was hard-fought in Washington DC, when three of my amendments to the National Defense Authorization Bill passed the House, and news broke of yet another breakdown in the Senate over a federal spending package. At the core of this latest blockade is West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, who somehow thinks it's wise to keep kicking the can down the road on our climate crisis, while also shielding the wealthiest Americans and corporations from paying their fair share of taxes.

Although it seems ludicrous that a single vote in the Senate can derail the budget reconciliation process and thwart the passage of critical legislation, this is the reality of Congress right now and a reflection of how close the majority margin truly is.

If you, like me, are beyond frustrated by the dynamic in the Senate and know that we can no longer wait for reason to take hold, and that action speaks louder than words then it is time to change it!

How do we do that?

First, we keep the pressure on the Senate by passing bills in the House that move America forward , instead of backwards or keeping the status-quo.

Last week, the House passed and sent these bills to the Senate:

*
The
Women's
Health
Protection
Act
(for
the
second
time)
which
would
assure
the
right
for
women
to
make
their
own
health
decisions.
*
The
Ensuring
Access
to
Abortion
Act,
which
will
protect
the
right
to
travel
across
state
lines
to
access
necessary
health
services
if
they
are
not
allowed
in
your
state.
*
My
Veteran's
Equal
Access
Act,
which
would
allow
veterans
to
consult
with
their
doctors
about
medical
cannabis
in
states
with
legal
programs.
*
My
Formula
Act,
which
helps
families
struggling
to
access
infant
formula
by
lifting
import
tariffs
and
reducing
retailer
costs
to
keep
shelves
stocked.
*
My
Empowering
Resilient
Local
Communities
Amendment,
which
allows
FEMA
to
respond
to
extreme
heat
and
freeze
events
and
deliver
aid
to
underserved
communities.
*
My
Defense
Logistics
Electrification
Amendment,
which
creates
a
pilot
program
for
electric
vehicles
within
the
Department
of
Defense.

Second, we organize and fight to elect a better Congress.

In the coming election it is critical that Democrats hold the House majority and add at least two additional pro-choice, pro-climate action, pro-tax fairness votes to the Senate. This will allow bills like the Women's Health Protection Act will become law, and we can get a budget package that eases the economic burden and deals with the increasing effects of climate change.

This week I'll be meeting in Washington with candidates in key races across the country. Oregon of course has three of those crucial races which are a priority as well. I will share more about how you can help in the days and weeks to come.

Throughout my career I've always fought for what's right. Progress has always been difficult and easy wins are rare. But now, the stakes are even higher. Women's rights cannot wait. Economic recovery cannot wait. The climate emergency cannot wait. We must set aside our disappointment, come together, and fight to elect every Democrat we can. That's why I'm hard at work in DC and helping win Democrats win seats here in Oregon and all across the country. I hope you'll join me because this election, Every. Single. Vote. Matters.

Courage,

Earl

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