Yasmine Taeb, FCNL Lobbyist for Human Rights and Civil Liberties, spoke alongside Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL) and Mark Takano (CA) at a panel at the Progressive Congress Summit on Sunday, February 5th.
The panel, moderated by journalist John Nichols of The Nation, also featured Shane Larson, Legislative Director at Communications Workers of America (CWA); Jacqueline Ayers, Director of Legislative Affairs at Planned Parenthood; and Kathy Saile, Associate Director for Government Affairs at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Speakers addressed how constituents, policy advocates, and members of Congress can work together to effect change during the first 100 days of the 115th Congress. All panelists, including both advocates and members of Congress, emphasized the “tremendous energy and fire” they had seen among constituents over the past few weeks and the importance of maintaining momentum in the months to come.
After thanking members of Congress for organizing press conferences, introducing and cosponsoring key legislation, and attending protests at airports across the country in response to the Trump administration’s deeply troubling immigration policies, Taeb urged them to do even more to match the energy she has seen at the grassroots level.
More than 10,000 people attended rallies organized by FCNL over the past two weeks alone, she said, adding that members of Congress should consider bold, creative actions in tandem with grassroots organizers.
“We want members of Congress to resist alongside us, every step of the way,” she said. “These are really extraordinary times, and they demand extraordinary action from all of us.”
As the topic shifted to economic justice, Saile said that we must be ready for “a wholesale attack on people in poverty and the safety net programs.” But she, Larson, and Schakowsky agreed that it is possible to block the proposed repeal of the Affordable Care Act—particularly if constituents continue to weigh in on this key issue.
“Just picking up that phone and making a phone call makes you an activist,” Larson said, “and that’s the most important power that you as a citizen have.”
