Monday, October 16, 2017

ACTION: CALL TO HELP PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

From Indivisible Oregon...

**CALL TO ACTION**
Monday, October 16, 2017
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REAL HELP FOR PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
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#PuertoRicoRelief
#HurricaneMaria
Nearly a month after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, 85% of residents are without electricity and 40% are without running water. The Virgin Islands, hit by two Category 5 storms, also suffered extreme devastation. 
Trump threatened to end aid to the islands, but the backlash was so strong that he reversed course. Trump grumbled that FEMA can’t stay in Puerto Rico “forever.” But FEMA is still in New Orleans, twelve years after Hurricane Katrina. Reconstruction there has cost more than $13 billion so far. 
Last week the House passed a $36.5 billion disaster aid package covering all states hit by hurricane and forest fires; the Senate will take it up after the current recess. 
The relief package is heavy on loans and light on grants – a problem since Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands had effectively declared bankruptcy just before the hurricane. Now they must accept more debt wrapped into their relief packages. And Trump’s reinstatement of Jones Act will make things more expensive.
Let’s urge our Senators to work for the best possible package – which offers more outright aid rather than new debt. Let’s ask our Senators to champion relief that will meet the islands’ real needs.
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**ACTION 1: CALL BOTH OF OUR SENATORS **
(or leave a voice mail after hours)
SAMPLE SCRIPT `
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code]. Congress must quickly pass a hurricane relief package for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands -- but one with grants rather than loans. Please provide real relief rather than piling debt upon the islands’ current high debt. Thank you.”
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**ACTION 2: Please consider making a donation to aid hurricane victims in Puerto Rico and other islands in the Caribbean. Here are some options. Thank you for helping to alleviate this humanitarian crisis and showing your support the hurricane victims.
Unidos: http://bit.ly/2jRvg7E
Global Giving: http://bit.ly/2wGxEiR
One America Appeal: https://www.oneamericaappeal.org/
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**PHONE NUMBERS**
SENATOR MERKLEY 
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
SENATOR WYDEN 
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**