Gun control, green banks, foreign interference in US elections, 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:
- DISCHARGE PETITIONS FOR GUN CONTROL
With meaningful gun control stalled in this Congress and Republicans passing a bill to weaken safety regulations, activists are not quietly waiting around for things to change. Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA), who lost her son to gun violence, has introduced a leadership- and battleground-backed discharge petition to force a House vote on an assault weapons ban, while Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) has filed one to close the Charleston loophole and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) has filed one for universal background checks. Let’s contact our members of the House and tell them we want them to sign on to all three petitions. - GREEN BANKS FOR CLEAN ENERGYGreen banks are government, quasi-government, or nonprofit financial entities that seed climate projects with low-interest loans in an effort to accelerate those projects and make them more attractive to private investors. There are at least 21 green banks in 16 states plus Washington, D.C., with one recently announced in Massachusetts. Let’s (1) learn more about green banks at the links provide here, (2) tell our state legislators and governors that we want our state to establish a green bank, and (3) tell our Members of Congress to introduce legislation establishing a National Green Bank.
- ELECT AN ABORTION RIGHTS SUPPORTER IN VIRGINIA
This Tuesday, June 20, marks the primary for November’s Virginia legislative elections, and all eyes are on the 13th State Senate District where Lashrecse Aird is taking on incumbent Joe Morrissey. This race could be crucial to the fate of abortion rights in Virginia: Morrissey is an anti-abortion Democrat, and Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin has pushed for expanding restrictions on reproductive rights. The Democrats hold a 22-18 majority in the current senate, but Morrissey’s vote could easily push forced birther laws over the top. Aird has secured the support of numerous Democrats in the Virginia State Senate against their own colleague along with abortion advocates including Planned Parenthood and EMILY’S List, but she needs every bit of support she can get to unseat Morrissey. Let’s sign up for a phonebank shift during GOTV here.
- FIGHT FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN U.S. ELECTIONSVerified foreign interference in U.S. elections did not stop in 2016; it is very much ongoing, says Laura Thornton, vice president for democracy at the German Marshall Fund, a pro-democracy nonprofit. If passed, the DISCLOSE Act, will, among other things, strengthen laws prohibiting the financing of U.S. campaigns by foreign nationals, including for federal judicial nominations and ballot initiatives, and put teeth into enforcement, including criminal penalties. Not a single Republican Senator has co-sponsored the DISCLOSE Act. If we have a Republican U.S. Senator, let’s ask them why they are not fighting foreign interference in U.S. elections, and let’s demand that they co-sponsor S.513.
- SUPPORT WRITERS ON STRIKEWith the writers’ strike now in its seventh week, other unionized workers are showing up in solidarity. “Writers are facing the most comprehensive assault on compensation and working conditions that they have seen in a generation. The studios have taken advantage of the transition to streaming to underpay entertainment industry workers, including writers in every area of work. Like too many working people across our economy, as corporate profits grow, writers are just not keeping up. Stand with the 11,500 WGA members who write and produce the TV and films that entertain the world!” Whether we are in Los Angeles or not, this link gives up-to-date information on writers’ demands, where and when we can participate in strike actions, and more.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- CA – RAISE THE WAGE FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS
The pandemic threw into sharp relief just how much we rely on health care personnel, and put a heavy burden on them – a recent survey found half of all health care workers reported burnout and 28% intended to leave the job. Addressing their concerns won’t be easy, but one important step will be paying them like the critical part of our society they are. The California state senate has passed a bill (SB 525) that would raise the minimum wage for health care workers and support staff to $25 an hour. Let’s let our assembly members know we want them to show solidarity with the people who keep us healthy and do the same.
