Photo by Javier Sierra.
We're mad. You should be too. Over the weekend, Senator Joe Manchin went back on his word and said “no” to the latest deal on the Build Back Better Act. A deal that he helped make. A deal supported by all 49 other Democratic Senators and passed already by the House of Representatives. A deal that delivers climate action, good clean energy jobs, and environmental justice.
Senator Manchin needs to understand that abandoning the Build Back Better Act would mean abandoning West Virginians -- and Americans across the country. It would mean refusing to help people pay for the rising costs of child care, prescription drugs, and expensive utility bills driven by corporate polluters' greed. It would threaten our fight for a livable climate.
Are we giving up? Not a chance. Our communities and our climate have waited long enough. Unlike some elected officials who’ve been bought out by special interests, we will never turn our backs on each other. We will keep fighting with everything we've got – so right now, one of the best things you can do is help us keep the fight going and chip in while a group of generous Sierra Club donors is matching every gift made.
Come January, it's time to vote on the Build Back Better Act.
Even if Senator Manchin feels like he "can't vote" for Build Back Better, let's have him -- and every Republican senator who has opposed this historic climate, jobs, and justice bill from the start -- vote on the record when the Senate comes back in January. Then those who truly oppose desperately-needed investments in our families and climate action can explain their vote to the American people.
So yeah - we're angry and we're exhausted. We've fought tirelessly for the better part of the last two years for this transformative bill that will help communities and the climate. But we also know that this fight isn’t over, and that this is just what Manchin does. So as we head into the holidays and a new year, we hope you take a moment to rest, refuel, and spend time with the people you love.
Then let's get ready to fight like hell in January – for the Build Back Better Act and for a real democracy. Because the reason Senator Manchin (and 50 Republican senators) would even think to vote against a bill that is supported by 70 percent of the public is because our democracy is broken.
We have too many elected officials who have been bought out by special interests. Increasingly anti-voting laws are being passed in states across the country, clamping down on ballot access and the record voter turnout of 2020. The voting power and representation of communities of color are being weakened as districts are redrawn and gerrymandered. The solution? The dual bills of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act will end gerrymandering, get money out of politics, and strengthen the freedom to vote for all.
The outdated and racist Senate filibuster rule allows the minority of senators to delay progress….indefinitely. We've had enough of this undemocratic, unpopular rule. Senator Manchin is open to fixing the filibuster and allowing these voting rights and democracy reform bills to move forward.
When Congress reconvenes in January, they must get back to work and get the Build Back Better Act AND voting rights reforms across the finish line. We will hold Senator Manchin and Democratic leadership to their word and overcome the total obstruction of Congressional Republicans.
At the end of the day, this is not just about Senator Manchin or any other senator, president, or elected leader. This is about us and our movement. This is about our communities who are fighting for a future where all can thrive -- no matter our race, background, or zip code.
We are a movement that values equity and justice. We believe in protecting our families from the climate crisis and bucking the status quo that treats communities of color as environmental sacrifice zones. Everyone has a voice and deserves to be heard -- and together we are powerful.
And we also value rest. Movements need time to recuperate and regroup. Let's take the time to do that for the next two weeks. Then we'll get ready to win in 2022 and beyond.
Want to take action now? Send a message, tweet, or call your senators that we must get this done as soon as possible in the new year.
On January 6, 2022, join one of 100+ vigils nationwide to reflect on the 1-year anniversary of the insurrection in a failed attempt to overturn election results. Together we'll call for strengthening our democracy and protecting the freedom to vote. Find a vigil near you and RSVP.
Thank you for your commitment and for all you've done with us and in the movement thus far.