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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: Sumer Shaikh, Green New Deal Network, sshaikh@greennewdealnetwork.org, 774-545-0128

Green New Deal Network Announces Multi-Million Dollar Push to Secure Full Build Back Better Deal, Flanking House Progressives in Advance of Sept. 27 Vote

Ads, Canvasses, and Grassroots Actions Thank Champs Fighting for Full Deal, Encourage Fence Sitters to Get on Board, and Hold Opponents Accountable

Washington D.C.—As pressure grows on Congress and the White House to pass the long-overdue and highly popular jobs and investments legislation – with a September 27 deadline looming – congressional progressives are being bolstered by a major new grassroots campaigning push.

The Green New Deal Network—a cross-movement coalition calling for passage of the full Build Back Better deal—announced today it has invested an additional $2 million into its campaign. The new resources, most of which are being spent immediately by state coalitions and grassroots groups, are funding an array of organizing and communications tactics that support the position of congressional progressives:

  • Green New Deal Network digital ads are now running in more than 50 congressional districts. The combined digital buy is in the mid six figures, running on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube as well as via streaming services like Hulu. Our digital ads vary depending on the target, uplifting grassroots spokespeople, thanking champs, pressuring on-the-fence Dems, and amplifying new illustrations by movement artists.

  • Our campaign also includes new six-figure TV and multimedia ad buys in at least four key states and districts, one of which just launched in Hawaii’s 1st congressional district and the others which will be announced soon.

  • State coalitions are escalating their on-the-ground grassroots mobilization campaigns pressuring Democrats who aren’t yet on board, including a sit-in and demonstrations this week in the districts of Reps. Gottheimer (NJ), Golden (ME), and Case (HI), Sen. Sinema (AZ), and more.

  • Thousands marched in DC yesterday calling for passage of the full deal. The march was organized by CASA and GNDN helped provide support.

  • A jumbotron is positioned outside of Union Station in DC all week calling for congressional action now, greeting congressional staff as they commute to and from work. The installation is another CASA-GNDN collaboration. As part of the effort, GNDN has launched new paid canvasses in 8 congressional districts.

  • We’re conducting in-depth polling in key districts to show key Democrats that bold action now is popular with their constituents and how to best message the deal—as well as that they will be at substantial risk of losing to primary challengers should they vote no.

  • More than 25 state coalitions and additional local partners are running a wide variety of additional tactics in key states and districts.

In support of the outside organizing efforts, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, one of the lead co-sponsors of the THRIVE Act—a $10 trillion jobs and investments proposal introduced in April that has served as model legislation in this debate—stated, “I am proud of the communities and constituents we represent turning out to push their leaders to fight for a bigger and bolder Build Back Better plan. It is the job of members of Congress to meet the needs of our communities, and I hope all my colleagues join me in acting on climate, care, jobs, and justice.”

More grassroots activity is planned in the coming days:

  • WEDNESDAY: The Arizona Working Families Party will hold its weekly protest outside Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s office (event link);

  • THURSDAY: Hawaii Action is organizing an escalated action in Rep. Ed Case’s neighborhood to to call on the representative to stop obstructing the full deal;

  • ALSO THURSDAY: Grassroots activists in 5 states will be encouraging Arizona’s Sen. Sinema to support the full deal, and to hold Wisconsin’s Sen. Johnson, New Mexico’s Rep. Herrell, and Florida’s Reps. Salazar and Buchanan accountable for their votes against it.

  • FRIDAY: New Hampshire GNDN state table hosts climate strikes in Concord, Nashua, North Conway, and Jaffrey to call on Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan to support $3.5 trillion investment in BBB;

Stay updated on grassroots activities over the next few weeks by following #SealTheDeal on Twitter.

To speak to a campaigner, organizer, or policy expert about the push to pass the full Build Back Better, contact sshaikh@greennewdealnetwork.org.

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About the Green New Deal Network

TheGreen New Deal Network is a 50-state campaign with a national coordinating table of 15 organizations: Center for Popular Democracy, Climate Justice Alliance, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, Greenpeace, Indigenous Environmental Network, Indivisible, Movement for Black Lives, MoveOn, People’s Action, Right To The City Alliance, Service Employees International Union, Sierra Club, Sunrise Movement, US Climate Action Network, and the Working Families Party.