Actions for March 2022

ACTION #1: Acts of Gratitude – Thank EPA Administrator Regan

Thank Michael Regen, EPA Administrator, for establishing an internal EPA council to identify opportunities for greater partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The new council enhances opportunities for recruitment of students and support for institutions through grants, contracts, transparent data sharing, and community engagement. If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address:

Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator; 1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Mail code: 1101A, Washington, DC 20460

Americans of Conscious created this Act of Gratitude. You can also (or simply) add your name to a letter it will be sending to Administrator Regan.

Go to: https://americansofconscience.com/03-04-2022/ and scroll down to the Acts of Gratitude section.

ACTION #2: Protect Voting Rights AND End Gerrymandering

Senate Democrats have introduced a compromise bill, S.2747, the Freedom to Vote Act (FTVA), in response to moderate Democrats’ and Republicans’ critiques of the For the People Act (FTPA). While the FTVA is in some ways narrower than the FTPA, it includes key provisions. Expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls. Establishes Election Day as a federal holiday. Declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence. Establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote. Sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections. Ends gerrymandering for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting. Addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.

Call Senator Ed Markey (413-785-4610 or 202-224-2742)

Call Senator Elizabeth Warren (413-788-2690) or (202-224-4543)

SCRIPT: Hi, my name is [NAME], and I'm a constituent from Amherst, my address is [full address, including zip code] I'm calling to express my support for S.2747, the Freedom to Vote Act and urge Senator [Ed Markey/ Elizabeth Warren] to back the legislation. Protecting voting rights, reducing partisan gerrymandering, and reducing corruption are nonpartisan priorities that make our democracy better for all Americans, regardless of their political affiliation. Thank you for your time and attention.

Call Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (518) 431-4070 or (607) 772-6792

Suggested Script: Hello. My name is [NAME], and my address is [___]. I'm calling the Senator, in his role as majority leader, to urge him to support S.2747, the Freedom to Vote Act. Protecting voting rights, reducing partisan gerrymandering, and reducing corruption are nonpartisan priorities that make our democracy better for all Americans, regardless of their political affiliation. Thank you for your time and attention.

ACTION #3: Call the U. S. Dept. of Justice to Stop LGBTQ Discrimination

Texas is attempting to criminalize parents for helping their transgender children access medically necessary, age-appropriate healthcare. Texas parents who chose to provide the best possible medical care for their children may risk having those children removed by child protective services for doing so. Florida is likely to enact the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, banning public school districts from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade. This prohibition will quickly extend the ban to higher grade levels. Iowa has become the 11th state to ban transgender athletes from participating in athletics with other athletes of the gender with which they identify. Tell the US Department of Justice to use its power to enforce Federal Civil Right Laws to stop the LGBTQI discrimination that is on the rise across our nation.

Call- or send an email to: US Dept. of Justice- Civil Rights Division; 202-353-1555 / 202-514-2000 www.justice.gov/contact-us

Suggested Script: Hello. My name is [__]. My address is [___ include ZIP code]. My phone number is [___]. I’m calling the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department because I am angry about the legislative attacks against the LGBTQ community that are on the rise across our country. I want the Dept. of Justice to use its power to enforce Federal Civil Right Laws to stop the growing LGBTQ discrimination that we are seeing in Texas, Florida, Iowa, and many other states. All US citizens must have equal protection under the law. The Justice Dept. should do what it can to make sure our LGBTQ citizens enjoy their equal protection.

ACTION#4: 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 support the Equality Act because LGBTQ people still face significant violence and discrimination. Civil rights protections must be expanded to include gender identity and sexual orientation as protected characteristics. Thank you.

Call Senator Elizabeth Warren- (413-788-2690) or (202-224-4543)

Suggested Script: Hello. My name is ___. My address (including zip code) is ___. My phone number is ___. I am calling Senator Warren to urge her to support the Equality Act because LGBTQ people still face significant violence and discrimination. Civil rights protections must be expanded to include gender identity and sexual orientation as protected characteristics. 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’m calling Senator Markey to urge him to support the Equality Act because LGBTQ people still face significant violence and discrimination. Civil rights protections must be expanded to include gender identity and sexual orientation as protected characteristics. Thank you.

ACTION #5: Support Ketanji Brown Jackson for the Supreme Court

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman to be nominated for the United States Supreme Court. Currently a judge at the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, she was a federal judge for 9 years, a clerk for Justice Stephen Breyer, a corporate lawyer and a federal public defender. Throughout her legal career, her legal opinions have been thorough, thoughtful, and even-keeled. Although Judge Jackson received support and praise from Senate Republicans in her previous confirmation hearings some of these same Senators have now reversed course to oppose her nomination. Tell the Senate Judiciary Committee that you strongly support the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court.

Call or Write: The chair and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committees (Note: in their capacity as committee leaders, these Senators work for all Americans, not just their constituents, so address your comments to them as committee officials).

The Honorable Dick Durbin 202.224.2152 / 312.353.4952

Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee; 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building;Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Chuck Grassley 202.224.3744 / 515.288.1145

Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee; 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building; Washington, DC 20510

Script: I am contacting you as a leader of the Senate Judiciary Committee to express my strong support for Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the US Supreme Court. In addition to being the first black woman who would serve the court, Judge Brown-Jackson’s impeccable qualifications, thoughtful judicial track record, excellent temperament and extensive knowledge of the law all make her an exceptional Supreme Court nominee. Judge Brown-Jackson had bi -partisan support in prior confirmation hearings. Please confirm her nomination to the Supreme Court. Thank you.

ACTION #6: Raise the Federal Minimum Wage to $15 – “Fight for 15”

The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 and the Raise the Wage Act would raise it by roughly a dollar a year until it reaches $15 in 2025. Further increases would be adjusted based on median wage growth. The majority of those with minimum wage jobs are adults (not teens) who are primary breadwinners. With its passage, 30% of all workers would see higher wages, including 62% of women, more than 40% of African American workers, and a third of Latinx workers. Increasing the minimum wage would benefit not only struggling workers and families but also the US economy. Consumer spending would increase, and the need for taxpayer funded public-assistance programs would decrease.

Senator Elizabeth Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 DC 202-224-4543

Senator Ed Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 DC 202-224-2742

Congressman Jim McGovern Northampton 413-341-8700 DC 202-225-6101

IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent and my address is [address] and telephone number [number]. I'm calling to express my support for the Raise the Wage Act, [Senate: S. 53///House: H.R. 603] and to thank you for being a cosponsor. Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour from $7.25 is necessary to combat poverty and income inequality, grow the US economy, and create a better future for American families. Thank you for your time and attention.

Senate Committee - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Patty Murray, D, Chair, (202) 224-2621; Richard Burr, R, Ranking Member, (202) 224-3154

House Committee – Committee on Education and Labor; Robert Scott, D, Chair, (202) 225-8351; Virginia Foxx, R, Ranking Member, (202) 225-2071

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm calling to express my support for the Raise the Wage Act and to ask that you move this legislation forward. Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour from $7.25 will combat poverty and income inequality, grow the US economy, and create a better future for American families. I’m calling you because of your role on the committee for [Senate: Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions///House: Education and Labor ] and my address is [address] and telephone number [number]. Thank you for your time and attention.