Avoiding a wider war, common sense gun laws, reproductive rights on the ballot, 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:
- STRIKES BY IRAN ANTICIPATED THIS WEEK
The White House is bracing for a significant Iranian attack this week that could target either Israel or American assets in the Middle East, in response to an Israeli strike that killed top Iranian commanders at what Tehran has claimed was a consular building in Damascus. This dangerous moment comes after two months of “relative stability” between Iranian proxies and U.S. forces in the region. During the last period of major attacks, Republican members of Congress urged President Biden to directly strike Iran. Let’s make sure voices against escalation are heard, and contact the White House to push them to do everything in their power to stop this violence from mushrooming into a wider war. - FINALIZE RULE TO CUT DOWN ON UNLICENSED GUN TRAFFICKING
According to a recent report by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), 68,000 guns were illegally trafficked into the U.S. by unlicensed dealers from 2017 to 2021, which were subsequently used in 368 shooting cases. 60% of these guns went to people previously convicted of a felony, and trafficked firearms were used to commit more than 260 murders and more than 220 attempted murders. The Biden Administration proposed a rule last August that would require many more of these unlicensed dealers to run background checks, but this rule has not yet been finalized. Let’s tell the White House, the Justice Department and the ATF that it’s time to finalize this rule once and for all.
- REPUBLICAN ADMITS GOP IS LAUNDERING RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA
Yesterday, House Intelligence Committee chair Mike Turner (R-OH) flatly admitted on CNN that Russian propaganda has made its way into Congress and some of his GOP colleagues have repeated that propaganda on the House floor. While it is refreshing to see a Republican acknowledge this reality, Turner did not respond to press questions about which members of Congress he meant. The American people deserve to know which of our elected officials are intentionally or unintentionally using their position to spread Putin’s line. Let’s contact Rep. Turner’s office by phone or fax and tell him that while we appreciate his candor, he is not doing his duty unless he tells us exactly who is doing Russia’s work for them and which messages he means. Let’s also urge our own members of Congress to make the same request of Turner, and take this opportunity to remind them that we still support Ukraine in their fight against Russia and still want to see action on further aid for the war effort as soon as possible. - SUPPORT PRO-CHOICE CANDIDATE FOR OPEN WISCONSIN SEAT
Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an OB/GYN who was one of the plaintiffs who sued to protect abortion access in Wisconsin, is running for the seat recently opened by the resignation of Republican congressman Mike Gallagher. While the district has been solidly Republican, reproductive rights has been shown to be a winning issue that has the support of a strong majority of Americans. Let’s find out more about Dr. Lyerly’s campaign on her Instagram and Facebook sites and consider supporting her effort.
- SUPPORT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN ARIZONA
Another positive development for abortion rights initiatives came out of Arizona last week, as Arizona for Abortion Access says they’ve gathered 120,000 signatures over the threshold to get their measure on the ballot in November. This could be a crucial victory for reproductive rights and help tilt the state blue in the presidential race. Let’s get involved with this campaign – we can sign up to volunteer or consider a donation here.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- CO – SUPPORT GUN SAFETY BILLSThree gun safety bills are wending their way through the Colorado state legislature:
- SB24-131 would prohibit the carrying of firearms in state and local government buildings and on the property of public and private schools and universities.
- HB24-1349 would levy an 11% excise tax on the retail sale of firearms and ammunition.
- HB24-1270 would require firearm owners to maintain firearm liability insurance.
AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS
- LAST WEEK’S WINSIt may not always feel like it, but our work is making a difference every day. Our friend Jessica Craven at Chop Wood, Carry Water outlines a few ways how in her run-down of last week’s victories, including the Biden Administration rolling out a new rule protecting Americans from junk health insurance plans, the Federal Communications Commission announcing it will vote to restore net neutrality, and the Office of Personnel Management issuing regulations to make it harder for Trump to purge the civil service.
