Dear Friend,

Two weeks ago, Democrats in Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, a $700 billion package to address climate change, energy costs, and health care.(1) Not a single Republican voted in support of this policy, which will reduce emissions and consumer energy costs, lower health care costs for millions of seniors and other Americans, and raise taxes on wealthy corporations.(2)

That’s direct proof that our votes in 2020 mattered, and with the historic scope of the Inflation Reduction Act, our votes will continue to positively impact us for generations.

And it’s important we keep mobilizing to ensure that all our communities benefit from good policies.

While the Inflation Reduction Act makes positive change, the legislation also includes fossil fuel subsidies that are expected to disproportionately affect communities of color already near oil wells and drilling sites.(3) These communities were sacrificed in the name of compromise in order to pass the bill, and that is why we need to protect progressive champions like Representative Katie Porter and elect new leaders committed to environmental justice like Representative Christy Smith -- so they can stop those types of compromises in the future.

Courage is already hard at work to turn out everyone who voted in 2020 and motivate new young voters in key districts around the state for the 2022 general election. We’re polling in the Central Valley, Inland Empire, and Orange County to find out what it will take to mobilize people to vote, and we’re finalizing our Courage Voter Guide so that every California voter has the information they need to elect leaders who will really fight for us.

Will you chip in to support our election work now so we can continue the momentum for big wins in 2022 and beyond?

November 8 is less than 80 days away, so let’s celebrate this victory and push for more progress at the ballot. Our votes matter, and we make good policy possible.

Yours in the fight for democracy that works,

Irene, along with Amber, Angela, Annie, Isidra, Jay, Lindsay, LisaMarie, Mai, Mai, Raquel, and Scottie (the Courage PAC team) 

PS: Courage California is fighting for equity and justice across the state and country. Will you become a monthly donor and help sustain our work?

Donations go to support all of Courage California's work for a more progressive California and country. Follow us now on Facebook or Twitter!

Footnotes:
1. https://www.npr.org/2022/08/07/1116190180/democrats-are-set-to-pass-a-major-climate-health-and-tax-bill-heres-whats-in-it
2. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-08-12/the-inflation-reduction-act-is-about-to-become-law-what-it-will-do-for-californians
3. https://www.npr.org/2022/08/17/1117725655/the-spending-bill-will-cut-emissions-but-marginalized-groups-feel-they-were-sold