October 23, 2023
Write for reproductive rights, fight for consumer protection, elect candidates against book bans, and more!
*** SUBMITTING YOUR ACTIONS TO ROGAN’S LIST ***
We’ve set up a “tip line” so Rogan’s List subscribers can send in their ideas or submissions for action items at roganslisttips@gmail.com. Please don’t hesitate to email and pass on your suggestions, we look forward to hearing from you!
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:
- WE NEED A FUNCTIONING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESThe House needs five GOP members to be willing to collaborate with Democrats to become fully-functioning. There is no longer any kind of majority among the GOP members themselves, and a new Speaker must not be one of the legislators who voted to overturn the 2020 election. The House has business to do that it cannot without a Speaker: there is another looming government shutdown, monies need to be approved for countless efforts, and bills to be passed. Jamie Carter of DemCast has created a helpful spreadsheet to show us who voted against Jim Jordan. The “no” votes on this list show us who might be able to be persuaded to forge a bipartisan solution. Let’s use this spreadsheet to call and have them hear from us supporting their “no” vote and asking them to be part of the solution to getting back to business.
- WRITE LETTERS TO GOTV FOR OHIO REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Vote Forward is still looking for volunteers to write letters to encourage voters to get to the polls and protect the right to choose in Ohio. Letters should be mailed ASAP, and by October 31st at the latest. Let’s sign up and write letters at votefwd.org – search for Ohio Ballot Initiative.
- SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENTLY-FUNDED CFPB
Before the House descended into chaos, the House Financial Services Committee marked up HR. 2798, a bill that would make funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) part of the regular congressional appropriations process, subjecting the bureau’s future to the whims of corporate-funded politicians who don’t have consumer interest as their top priority. (Currently the CFPB is funded through the Federal Reserve). The bill is opposed by the Consumer Federation of America, a broad coalition of consumer groups, and not surprisingly supported by the banking industry. Let’s tell our MoCs that we support the CFPB and do not want to see consumer protection comprised through funding battles, and to vote no on this bill and any comparable effort in the Senate.
- IS YOUR SENATOR WITH THE UAW?
As the UAW strike rolls into its second month, some in Washington are continuing to make their voices heard for the workers. Senators Sherrod Brown and Bernie Sanders have introduced a resolution expressing official solidarity with the workers and urging the Big Three to negotiate in good faith and offer a fair contract. 32 senators have signed on as co-sponsors to the resolution. Let’s contact our own senators and thank them for joining or push them to do so now.
- FREEDOM TO READ CANDIDATE PLEDGEAs calls for book bans grow across the country, the American Library Association has initiated the Unite Against Book Bans campaign. One of the campaign’s activities is to ask that candidates running for elected office take the Candidate Pledge to Support the Freedom to Read and Oppose Book Bans. Let’s look at the pledge, and let’s ask candidates seeking our votes to sign it.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- CA – UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR STRIKERS VETOED
With the summer of strikes now Striketober, labor unions are looking to keep up the heat on government officials to fight for what’s right for working families. It appeared they were on the verge of a major victory here in California after the legislature passed a bill to allow workers on strike to receive unemployment benefits – a law that would have been of immediate benefit to the UAW, Screen Actors Guild and hotel workers on the picket line in California right now. Unfortunately, Governor Gavin Newsom elected to veto this legislation rather than having California join New York and New Jersey in this policy. Let’s reach out to Governor Newsom to express our disapproval of his decision to block this bill from becoming law, and encourage our legislators to attempt to overturn it if possible and continue to work towards this goal next session if necessary.
AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS
- LAST WEEK’S WINS
The last seven days have been marked by chaos and tragedy beyond description. It can be hard in the face of so much pain to maintain the hope you need to keep working for change. But we still took steps towards a better world, too, and we cannot stop pushing for more. Here’s a summary of some of last week’s biggest from our friend and ally Jessica Craven at Chop Wood, Carry Water, including a settlement that allows a path to permanent legal residency for migrant families separated by Trump, workers getting a fair deal from Kaiser Permanente, and a huge victory for water protectors in Hawaii.
