August 7, 2023
Last chance to help in Ohio, comment deadline on the EPA power plant rule, Starbucks customers day of action, 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:
- VIRTUAL WATCH PARTY TOMORROW FOR OHIO’S ISSUE ONE (AND MORE CHANCES TO HELP)Most folks believe that tomorrow’s expensive single-issue special election in Ohio is to lessen the chances that the reproductive rights referendum on November’s ballot will pass. So many of us have worked hard to help get out the vote for this special election that will determine if the threshold for amending the state’s constitution should be raised. Blue Ohio is having a virtual (via Zoom) watch call/party tomorrow at 7:30 pm EST and will have their own elections expert (Ohio’s version of Steve Kornacki) to help analyze returns as they come in. While this is a Blue Ohio event, it’s open to all. Registration required. Let’s sign up here to register so we can watch the returns together. We can also sign up to make those last Get Out The Vote calls today and tomorrow here.
- DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENT ON EPA’S POWER PLANT EMISSIONS RULE
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a draft rule addressing planet-warming emissions from nearly all U.S. power plants, requiring them to reduce their contribution to climate change. Environmental groups are pushing for as tough a final rule as possible, including speeding up the timeline, covering more power plants, and focusing on proven solutions for emissions reductions. The comment period on this rule ends TOMORROW, August 8th, and we need to make sure the EPA knows we all want aggressive climate action. We can submit our comments directly through the Federal Register here, and find talking points, sample comments and alternate ways to submit from Climate Hawks Vote here and EarthJustice here.
- BROADCAST THE TRUMP TRIALSDozens of congressional Democrats have written to the Judicial Conference asking that the federal courts broadcast the court proceedings of the cases against former president Donald Trump. “If the public is to fully accept the outcome,” the letter reads, “it will be vitally important for it to witness, as directly as possible, how the trials are conducted, the strength of the evidence adduced and the credibility of witnesses.” This case was also forcefully made by Ayman Mohyledin after the first round of DoJ indictments. Moreover, we, the citizens of the country, are the victims of the crimes committed, and have a right to see the trial, especially with the cases playing out across the presidential campaign season with the defendant remaining the GOP frontrunner. Let’s send our own letters asking for the broadcasting of these proceedings, and our reasons why. We can write a letter or postcard to The Honorable Roslynn R. Mauskopf, Judicial Conference Secretary, Administrative Office of the United States Courts, One Columbus Circle, NE, Washington, D.C. 20544, and to Chief Justice John Roberts, Supreme Court of the United States, 1 First St NE, Washington, DC 20543.
- TUBERVILLE MUST STAND DOWN… OR BE STOPPED
As a protest against the military’s policies on abortion access for the troops, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) continues to stall confirmation of more than 300 military promotions. Because of his blockade, for the first time in U.S. history, two of the eight seats on the Pentagon’s Joint Chiefs of Staff are filled by interim officers – we have no confirmed commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps or chief of staff of the U.S. Army. By the middle of the month, we will also have no confirmed Chief of Naval Operations, as Admiral Lisa Franchetti, who would be the first female member of the Joint Chiefs, is still awaiting a vote. The Pentagon has firmly rejected Tuberville’s claims that his stunt is not creating challenges for national security, and military spouses are demanding Tuberville stand down as he is causing havoc in the lives of their families worldwide. Here’s some ways we can help: a) VoteVets is seeking input from veterans and others who disagree with Tuberville to refute his claims that he has broad support, and we can sign their call for Tuberville to back off here (we can do so without donating); b) Senate Democrats on the Armed Services Committee have urged minority leader Mitch McConnell to take action and end Tuberville’s blockade, and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) has worked to build support for a cloture petition that would force a vote on the nominations, so if we have Republican senators we can urge them to back Sullivan’s efforts and make a similar ask to McConnell; and c) if we have Democratic senators, let’s push them to back aggressive tactics to break the blockade and to publicly pressure Republicans to act.
- ADVOCATE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OVER-THE-COUNTER BIRTH CONTROL PILL IS AFFORDABLE
Last month, the FDA approved over the counter sales of the Opill, an easy and reliable birth control method. While this is an important and necessary development, especially with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, it is not yet clear how much this pill will cost. In order to assure access, particularly for low-income people with limited or no health insurance, we need to make sure that the cost of this over-the-counter option is affordable. National Justice Network is coordinating a letter writing campaign to the CEO of Perrigo, the pill’s manufacturer. Let’s join in here, or write/call Perrigo directly at their North American headquarters: 430 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, (269) 673-8451.
- STARBUCKS WORKERS UNION NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TODAY
The campaign to organize Starbucks rolls on, with more than 340 stores now unionized, even in the face of brutal and often illegal union-busting tactics by corporate. Now, organizers are pressing forward with a national day of action TODAY, with customers and allies joining workers for Starbucks partners across the country to demand respect for workers’ rights. Let’s attend an event near us, or if we can’t make it sign up to volunteer in support of future Starbucks Workers Union campaigns here.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- NC – TELL LEGISLATORS TO STAND BY TRANS KIDS
Governor Cooper vetoed two bills targeted at trans kids, the HB808 ban on gender-affirming care and the HB574 trans sports ban, but the Republican legislative majorities are pushing to override. The House is set to vote as soon as today. Let’s join Equality NC in urging our lawmakers to leave trans kids alone and let these vetoes stand.
AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS
- LAST WEEK’S WINS
The battle for progress is long and wearing, making it all the more important to acknowledge and celebrate the wins when they happen. Here’s a summary of some of the best news from the last week from our stalwart ally Jessica Craven at Chop Wood, Carry Water, including a legal victory against the book banners in Arkansas, a new effort to make public services more accessible for people with disabilities by the Biden Administration, and Janet Protasiewicz officially giving liberals control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.