Reviewing Primary and Supporting Asks
This training reviews the updated context for CCL's December 2022 Primary and Supporting Asks as well as guidance for lobby teams as they plan their December meetings. This is a recommended training for any CCL volunteer planning on being a part of their group's December 2022 Lobby Meeting (as well as Lobby Training #1: Legislative Plan (Monday October 10th, 8 pm ET)).
December 2022's Primary Asks
For our December 2022 Lobby Meetings, CCL's Primary Ask is organized based on the political party and the congressional chamber you’re meeting with:
- Senate Democrats: Finish Strong on Climate!
- Senate Republicans: Make America Prepared and Resilient!
- House Democrats: Finish Strong on Climate!
- House Republicans: Help Farmers and the Climate!
Send the corresponding handout and the companion 1-page Supporting Ask document(s) to your member of Congress or staffer ahead of your lobby meeting. It is also recommended that you use this ask to frame your conversation with them. To download your PDF resources for the Primary Asks click here.
For the fall season of 2022, CCL recommends the following supporting asks by your member of Congress's segment:
- House Democrats - GCSA, RISEE Act
- House Republicans - GCSA, RISEE Act, NCARS, FOREST Act
- Senate Democrats - NCARS, RISEE Act
- Senate Republicans - FOREST Act, RISEE Act, NCARS
- GCSA: Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021 (S.1251/H.R.2820)
- RISEE Act: Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act (S.2130 / H.R. 9049)
- FOREST Act: Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act (S.2950 / H.R.5508)
- NCARS: National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy (NCARS) Act (S.3531/ H.R.6461)
To see a one-page description of each bill, click the "download" buttons in the Supporting Asks page. You also may want to print a handout of your selected supporting ask to give to a staffer or MOC.
Bills supporting bipartisan climate action
CCL has identified four bipartisan bills that have been introduced in the 117th Congress that could be useful supporting asks. Our primary objective in promoting these bills is to encourage bipartisanship on climate in Congress. The bills all have cosponsors of both parties, all are complementary to a strong carbon price, and all address policy issues that a carbon price does not. Descriptions of each bill are in the attachment below. Just click on the .pdf file or blue hyperlinks for more information.
As we build momentum for bipartisan action on climate and develop relationships of trust with our members of Congress, we suggest keeping to topics of common ground. Rather than bring up the vinegar, talk about the honey. We have learned through Motivational Interviewing that preparing others for change involves helping them see change as something they create and meets their needs.
This list is not exhaustive; if there is a bill your group would like to use as a supporting ask that is not on this list, please contact CCL’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Ben Pendergrass, at ben@citizensclimate.org. Use your best judgment when deciding whether you want to make one or more of these bills a supporting ask. If any of them are a source of conflict within your group, please pick a different supporting ask.
The value of supporting asks
After making the primary ask and subsequent discussion, it may make sense to make a supporting ask. Getting legislation passed is a complicated, coalition-building process in which lots of smaller steps must happen before we get a law. Many members of Congress may be willing to support other bills that fit into the broader picture of addressing the climate crisis and are complementary to a carbon price, and these could be stepping stones toward support for bringing the U.S. in line with the rest of the developed world.
You should always be clear that what you want is our primary ask. After making the primary ask and subsequent discussion, it may make sense to make a supporting ask. Getting legislation passed is a complicated, coalition-building process in which lots of smaller steps must happen before we get a law.
A record of success
In December 2020, the U.S. House and Senate passed a massive omnibus package. The package includes the major provisions from three of CCL’s “supporting ask” bills from December Lobby Day: the BEST Act, the USE IT Act, and the Climate-Ready Fisheries Act. In July of 2021, the Senate passed the Growing Climate Solutions Act by a vote of 92-8 in a remarkable display of bipartisan support for climate action. In September 2021, Congress agreed upon a bipartisan infrastructure package that includes provisions from two of CCL’s “supporting ask” bills used in June 2021: The Hope for Homes Act and the Storing CO2 And Lowering Emissions (SCALE) Act. The inclusion of these measures in both the larger omnibus package and bipartisan infrastructure package shows that CCL’s volunteer lobbying has an impact. This is a powerful reminder of why CCL supports other bipartisan climate bills - because we can make a difference.
- (0:00) Intro & Agenda
- (2:05) Where We’ve Been (Since June)
- (5:17) The Election
- (10:44) What About A Carbon Price?
- (12:55) Opportunity for the Lame Duck
- (18:35) Recommended Primary Asks
- (26:08) More Information On Supporting Asks
- (39:15) Communications Practice Video & Wrap-up
- Additional Q&A Video: https://vimeo.com/769949731/83c2915702
- Ben Pendergrass
- Jenn Tyler
Download or View the Google Slides presentation.
Download the video.To skip ahead to a specific section go to the time indicated in parenthesis.
- (0:00) Intro & Agenda
- (2:05) Where We’ve Been (Since June)
- (5:17) The Election
- (10:44) What About A Carbon Price?
- (12:55) Opportunity for the Lame Duck
- (18:35) Recommended Primary Asks
- (26:08) More Information On Supporting Asks
- (39:15) Communications Practice Video & Wrap-up
- Additional Q&A Video: https://vimeo.com/769949731/83c2915702
- Ben Pendergrass
- Jenn Tyler
To prepare yourself, research the full suite of resources for planning a meeting with a member of Congress.