cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/27156569
Call your senators, they can still block this despite Schumers push. The vote is tomorrow. If all republican vote for it, they need 7 dems. 8 with Rand Paul who has said he’ll vote no. (Republicans are not using reconciliation so it needs the the filibuster)
Many senate dems are publicly coming out against voting for cloture (meaning they won’t vote to let it get through the filibuster). As of what I last read, around 11 dems are thought to potentially vote to let it pass filibuster. Most of those are still not sure. We only need a handful more of those to become noes and it will get blocked. Some yeses have flipped to noes because of public pressure. We cannot let up now
Link to find direct numbers your senators
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Or call the capitol switch board (202) 224-3121
House dems are publicly telling the senate not to do this (and it’s not just AOC on this - it’s quite a few of them). Earlier read that 7 Dem state AGs are saying the same. Federal worker unions are telling senate dems not do this. Keep the pressure up
I don't have a Democratic senator. Definitely call yours - even if they aren't a Democrat - but have a chance of voting no.
That said, serious question - does calling senators do anything? I've called mine before a few times and only got their answering machine (I think they just routed all calls to voicemail bc there were unpopular bills ready to be voted on that they had every intention of passing) then I got a stock letter telling me to shove it.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: why does calling senators matter? Does it actually influence policy decisions?
It won't work every time but it large numbers they 100% do matter. They've helped to flip others on this very vote. For instance Tim Kaine has gone from one of the main people actively pushing for others voting in favor of cloture to now being a hard no against it himself. Tons of people flooded his office with calls between then and were likely a major factor in him flipping
Leave voicemails too. They tally up how many people are calling about issues
Calling senators doesn't really work unless the call is to offer them a sizable cash donation.
If there are any stories of them acting based on random calls they get, it's almost definitely a cherrypicked set of requests for things they were planning to do anyways but want to use as good PR about how they listen to their constituents.
It's not based on specific calls, it's based on high numbers. One call alone isn't what does it, it's the mass number of those calls. Staffers tally up how much people are mobilizing around issues
Republicans are historically been speaking 10x better than leftists at flooding congress with calls. Congress staffers have talked about this and how it changes votes
Are those callers worth a sizable chunk of money? It's not exactly a secret how terminally ill US politics is with corporate interests and bribery. If there are any instances of politicians being swayed by the Republican agenda who would have otherwise voted against it, it's only because that agenda aligns more closely with that of the ruling class.
Call it defeatist if you want, but it's an endless cycle we're trapped in and I'm at the point where I just think the only way to meaningfully effect change under the current administration is subverting the system altogether. That, or the threat of violence.
Keep in mind that dems in the house are also actually super PISSED about what senate dems are doing right now. Even Moderate house dems are considering backing people primary schumer. This is the ideal scenario for outside support to matter. It helps enable people within the system to break through
https://www.axios.com/2025/03/14/house-democrats-angry-chuck-schumer-shutdown
I agree that calling alone will not fix our system, but it can help with symptoms
Okay then, call your Republican senator and tell him what a traitorous piece of shit he is!
Maybe if they understand just how deeply pissed off people are about them, they'll get scared and back off.
Oh I have. Hence the letters (and emails) telling me to shove it. I am not their target demographic and they do not need my vote.