Down in Washington, D.C., members of Congress just bought themselves another week to pass a federal COVID-19 relief package. Here in Minnesota, new and returning legislators are preparing for the 2021 session. 

And the rest of us? We’re waiting. While conservatives in Congress are pushing for corporate handouts, Minnesotans are stuck worrying about our health, our economic futures, and when we’ll be able to see our family and friends again. 

Luckily,  just because we’re staying home doesn’t mean we can’t take action. Here’s how you can stay in the know and make your voice heard. 

Stay informed

With so much noise in the news and on social media, it’s hard to keep track of what’s really going on. To get the latest, you can watch Minnesota House and Senate meetings and floor sessions live online. You can also find replays on YouTube. The federal House and Senate also stream floor sessions on the web. 

These days, you don’t need to pay for an expensive cable package to see what your representatives are saying in real time. 

But if sitting around for an entire committee hearing isn’t your thing, that’s okay. We’ve got you covered. Follow ABM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, action alerts, and key information.

Find your representatives

Not sure who represents you? That’s okay! Use this tool to find out. Just put in your address, and you’ll get a list of your state and federal representatives and information about how to get in touch with them. 

Reach out

Your representatives in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. are supposed to look out for you, and that’s why they need to hear from you. Whether it’s via phone call, email, or snail mail, you can make sure your elected leaders know what matters. Use this tool to find your representatives’ contact information. 

Contacting an elected official can seem daunting at first, but don’t worry! They have staff whose job is to receive messages from constituents and make sure they’re taken into account.

Not sure what to say? Here’s an example script to get you started:

Hi, my name is ___(your name)___  and I live in  ____(your city)_____.

I’m calling on ___(your representative’s name)___ to pass a COVID-19 relief package that puts Minnesota families and communities first, not big corporations. 

It can be that simple, or you can add your own personal story. Are you a parent? A small business owner? An essential worker? Out of work because of the pandemic? Someone with a pre-existing condition? Let them know!

Triple your impact

It’s an old saying, but it’s true: there’s strength in numbers. Will you share this post with two friends and make sure they get in touch with their representatives too?

Together, we’ll work to demand COVID-19 relief that will help our communities come back from this crisis stronger and healthier.