Actions of the Month - June 2022
ACTION #1 - Urge passage of bipartisan gun control legislation
A group Democrat and Republican Senators have crafted gun control legislation. Some of the measures that are said to be currently be in the bill include:
A requirement for enhanced background checks for prospective gun buyers younger than 21;
Measures that would make it more difficult for domestic abusers to get firearms; and
Federal grants to states to enact so-called red-flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.
While the act is far from perfect and does not include many measures Democrats had hoped for, if passed, it would be the first time in decades that any gun control measure has passed.
Call Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer; Dial (518) 431-4070 or (607) 772-6792 or (202) 224-6542
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is __]. My address [including ZIP is __]. My phone number [is ___]. I’m calling Senator Schumer in his capacity as Senate Minority Leader. First, I want to thank Senator Schumer for supporting the bipartisan gun control legislation now under discussion. Second, I want him to know that passage of this legislation should be a top priority and to urge him to do everything in his power to see that it becomes law. The proliferation of gun ownership in this country and the lack of measures that safeguard the citizenry from gun violence has created an intolerable situation where far too many Americans are losing their lives.
Call Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; Dial (859) 578-0188 or (270) 781-1673 or (202) 224–2541
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is __]. My address [including ZIP is __]. My phone number [is ___]. I’m calling Senator McConnell in his capacity as Senate Majority Leader First, I want to thank Senator McConnell for supporting the bipartisan gun control legislation now under discussion. Second, I want him to know that I believe this is a top priority and to and urge him to do everything in his power to see that it becomes law. The proliferation of gun ownership in this country and the lack of measures that safeguard the citizenry from gun violence has created an intolerable situation where far too many Americans are losing their lives.
Also call Senators -- Elizabeth Warren (202) 224-4543 or (413) 788-2690 and Ed Markey (202) 224-2742 or (413) 785-4610. Let them know you believe this legislation is very important.
ACTION #2 - Support New Infrastructure for HBCUs (IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act)
This bill establishes a grant program to support long-term improvements of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and graduate programs at HBCUs. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to HBCUs to improve campus facilities. A recipient must use grant funds for certain activities, such as constructing or renovating facilities, carrying out major repairs, and strengthening the safety and security of a campus. Any new construction, modernization, or renovation projects must meet building code and energy and water conservation requirements. Further, HBCUs must seek to procure contracts from certain small businesses, including those owned and controlled by veterans and service-disabled veterans.
Call Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Dial (518) 431-4070 or (607) 772-6792
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is __]. My address [including ZIP is __]. My phone number [is ___]. I’m calling Senator Schumer in his role as Senate Majority Leader, to urge him to support and co-sponsor the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act. Senator Schumer should use his power to urge the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to act favorably on this legislation and move this Act to the floor for debate. Thank you.
Call Senator Elizabeth Warren- (413-788-2690) or (202-224-4543)
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is ___]. My address [including ZIP is __]. My phone number [is ___]. I am calling upon Senator Warren to ask her to support and co-sponsor the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act. Senator Warren should also urge her colleagues on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to act favorably on this legislation and move this Act to the floor for debate. Thank you.
Call Senator Ed Markey- (413-785-4610) or (202-224-2742) or (617- 565-8519)
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is ___]. My address [including ZIP is __]. My phone number [is ___]. I am calling upon Senator Markey to ask him to support and co-sponsor the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act. Senator Markey should also urge his colleagues on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to act favorably on this legislation and move this Act to the floor for debate. Thank you.
ACTION #3 -Support LGBTQ Rights- Pass the Equality Act of 2021 - Need Senate
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects people from discrimination based on race, skin color, sex, religion, and national origin, but it does not protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Thus, in the 29 states without robust LGBTQ anti-discrimination laws, LGBTQ people can legally be fired, harassed at work, barred from businesses, denied housing, and more because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The Equality Act will provide necessary national-level protections for LGBTQ people by updating existing laws, like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to explicitly ban discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Call Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Dial (518) 431-4070 or (607) 772-6792
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is __]. My address [including ZIP is __]. My phone number [is ___]. I’m calling Senator Schumer in his role as Senate Majority Leader, to urge him to do more to support the Equality Act. Senator Schumer should use his power to urge the Judiciary Committee to act favorably and move the Equality Act to the floor for debate. Thank you.
Call Senator Elizabeth Warren- (413-788-2690) or (202-224-4543)
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is ___]. My address [including ZIP is __]. My phone number [is ___]. I am calling upon Senator Warren to ask her colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee to act favorably on the Equality Act by moving it out of committee and bringing it to the floor for debate. Thank you.
Call Senator Ed Markey- (413-785-4610) or (202-224-2742) or (617- 565-8519)
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is __]. My address [including ZIP is ___]. My phone number [is ___]. I am calling upon Senator Markey to ask his colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee to act favorably on the Equality Act by moving it out of committee and bringing it to the floor for debate. Thank you.
ACTION #4 - Urge federal department heads to expand voter registration now
“The voting executive order is unprecedented because it encourages federal agencies and states to embrace the original intent of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), which contemplates that the federal government should provide voter registration services. Regrettably, before 2021 this provision of the NVRA, which was specifically designed to engage the federal government, has been largely untapped. The NVRA permits federal and nongovernmental offices to be designated as additional voter registration agencies. Biden’s executive order strongly encourages implementation of this underused provision.”
From: https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/the-white-house-can-do-more-to-expand-voting-access
Write to Federal Department Heads (Addresses Below).
Script: With voting rights threatened in many U.S. states, I am joining with the Brennan Center and more than 230 national organizations to urge you to implement President Biden’s executive order on promoting access to voting. Your department can play an important role in assisting Americans to participate in the electoral process. Act today to provide robust voter registration services to eligible Americans and invite designations by states as voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Thank you.
The Honorable Xavier BecerraSecretary of Health & Human ServicesU.S. Department of Health & Human Services200 Independence Avenue SWWashington, D.C. 20201
The Honorable Miguel CardonaSecretary of EducationU.S. Department of Education400 Maryland Ave SWWashington, DC 20202
The Honorable Marcia FudgeSecretary of HUDU.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development451 7th Street SWWashington, DC 20410
The Honorable Merrick GarlandAttorney GeneralU.S. Department of Justice950 Pennsylvania Avenue NWWashington, DC 20530
The Honorable Isabel GuzmanAdministratorSmall Business Administration409 3rd St SWWashington, D.C. 20416
The Honorable Deb HaalandSecretary of the InteriorU.S. Department of the Interior1849 C Street NWWashington DC 20240
The Honorable Alejandro MayorkasSecretary of Homeland SecurityU.S. Department of Homeland Security301 7th St, SWWashington, DC 20528
The Honorable Denis McDonoughSecretary of Veterans AffairsU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs810 Vermont Ave, NWWashington, DC 20420
The Honorable Marty WalshSecretary of LaborU.S. Department of Labor200 Constitution Avenue NWWashington, DC 20210
The Honorable Janet YellenSecretary of TreasuryU.S. Department of the Treasury1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington DC, 20220
ACTION #5 - Act of Gratitude
Thank Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D–MA) and Patty Murray (D–WA) for urging President Biden to uphold federal abortion rights via executive powers.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use these addresses:
EW: 309 Hart SOB, Washington, DC 20510
PM: 154 Russell SOB, Washington, D.C. 20510