Declare debt ceiling unconstitutional, dignity for detained immigrants, E. Jean Carroll, and more!
Contact all members of Congress:
- By phone: (202) 224-3121
- By email: democracy.io
- By US mail: Representatives / Senators
- By fax: Representatives / Senators
- By Resistbot: Resist.bot
Contact White House or other federal agencies:
- DECLARE THE DEBT CEILING UNCONSTITUTIONAL
With the X Date approaching fast and Republicans still threatening a catastrophic default, the Biden Administration is considering continuing to issue new debt regardless on the grounds that the debt ceiling is unconstitutional under the Fourteenth Amendment. This would put the burden on Republicans to sue to crash our economy and could disarm this weapon against our country permanently. Let’s contact the White House and encourage them to take bold steps like this one. - SUPPORT THE DIGNITY FOR DETAINED IMMIGRANTS ACTSenator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Adam Smith (D-WA) have introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act. The bill would put stricter limits on detention, especially for primary caregivers, families with children, LGBTQIA+ people and any asylum seeker who is not considered a criminal threat. Let’s find out if our MoCs have co-sponsored this legislation by checking the list at the end of this article, and then let’s either thank them or ask for their support—we can reference S.1208 and H.R.2760.
- CENSORING CIVICS“Since 2021, 18 states have passed laws restricting teachings on race and gender. But Texas is the only one nationwide to suppress students’ interactions with elected officials in class projects…Under the 2021 law, student participants in all of those projects now must avoid contact with elected officials.” Let’s make sure our local school boards (look up) don’t push such laws forward, which are designed to keep young voters ignorant about political issues. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/01/texas-civics-students-democratic-participation
- FIGHT FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
Last weekend voters in Austin, Texas, overwhelmingly passed Proposition A, a measure to expand oversight of the city’s police department. The Austin Police almost immediately declared the proposition illegal and suggested they would not comply. This is just the latest example of how police unions have proven to be a major impediment to fixing our criminal legal system, stopping us from preventing police violence and holding those responsible accountable. The advocates at Campaign Zero have launched the #NixThe6 campaign to help reduce their power and influence. Let’s check it out and join a #NixThe6 team if we can.
- E. JEAN CARROLL HAS HER DAY IN COURT On Tuesday, a court found the previous president liable of sexual abuse and defamation against E. Jean Carroll who was also awarded $5 million. Even though this occurred several years ago, “The Adult Survivors Act, which New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law in May, went into effect on Thursday. It gives survivors a one-year window to file civil suits against individuals they accuse of sexual abuse, regardless of how far in the past that abuse occurred.” It took an incredible amount of bravery and courage for Ms Carroll to pursue this. Let’s thank her on our social media and send her good wishes as well. We can find her here: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Substack. We can also make a donation to RAINN or to our own local rape crisis center.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- OH – PROTECT THE BALLOT INITIATIVE PROCESS
Attempting to even further stifle the voice of the voters in a badly gerrymandered state, Ohio Republicans are pushing a proposed amendment to the Constitution that would increase the threshold to pass subsequent amendments from 50% to 60%. The Ohio House is expected to vote on SJR 2 today to put this issue on the ballot as soon as August to help it get ahead of a pro-choice ballot measure. The resolution needs a three-fifths majority to pass – let’s make sure to contact our members of the House and tell them to vote no and leave the initiative process alone.
CORRECTIONS AND UPDATES
The name of the chair of the Senate Judiciary was incorrect in Tuesday’s List and has been updated below. Thanks to our readers for keeping us honest!
SUBPOENA CLARENCE THOMAS AND HARLAN CROW
Clarence Thomas is facing yet another allegation of corruption, with ProPublica breaking the news that his billionaire benefactor Harlan Crow paid private school tuition for the grand-nephew Thomas raised as his own child… and Thomas never disclosed it. Add to this the questionable financial transactions between conservative sources and Thomas’ wife, Ginny. This unacceptable behavior cannot be satisfied by one hearing in which no one involved testifies. Let’s call on our senators, especially Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin and Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations chair Richard Blumenthal, to subpoena both Thomas and Crow and hold them to account.
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