We talked last week, did you miss it?
Last week my colleague Rick Claypool and I hosted our second online conversation with Public Citizen activists. Thanks to everyone who tuned in!
Here’s the video in case you weren’t able to make it:
In this installment, Rick and I reviewed four of the Congress Watch division’s key legislative priorities. We outlined the details of the Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act, the Arbitration Fairness Act, the Shareholder Protection Act, and the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. Then we had a discussion of why it’s important for us to push our lawmakers to cosponsor these pieces of legislation, and how Public Citizen activists play a crucial role in achieving our goals during the month-long Congressional recess.
During the month of August, lawmakers make their way back to their home districts. This is the perfect time to swing by your member’s office for a meeting or just drop off some material for him or her to review. During our next webinar, we’ll give folks tips and tricks for dropping in on their member of Congress during the recess. Sign up to let us know you’re interested.
Connecting with lawmakers during the recess is an effective way to let them know what issues matter to the people who live in their districts. Former Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) had this to say about the role of grassroots activists in the passage of Dodd-Frank:
“The role of public opinion [during the passage of Dodd-Frank] was … to give [members] the courage of their convictions, and in particular to enable them to withstand the political pressures being generated by the financial interests that opposed the bill.”
Remember: Even if they’re not hearing from us, they’re definitely hearing from corporate lobbyists and other opponents of the public interest.
Make sure they hear from you:
Kelly Ngo is the online advocacy organizer for Public Citizen’s Congress Watch.