Action Checklist for Americans of Conscience

Week of August 6, 2017: August Recess Edition 1 of 5

By Jen Hofmann

39 weeks down, 65 weeks to mid-term elections. Permission to rest.

While Congress is in August recess, the checklist has just 7 actions per week based on subscriber priorities. The intention of this weekly document is to make clear suggestions backed by well-considered research for Americans who care about democracy and justice. Urgent actions are highlighted in yellow.

Did someone send you here? Sign up to receive this weekly checklist.

 

I believe in quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.

Action: Support bipartisan cooperation to repair ACA.

This is the next logical action after the failure of the Senate to repeal the ACA.

Visit: 5calls.org and use their excellent script for both red and blue senators.

 

I believe in a government led by people of integrity.

Action: Meet your Congressional representatives in person this month.

Call: Your 3 MoCs (lookup or leave message).

Script: Hi. I’m a constituent from [town] calling to find out when [name] is holding a town hall meeting near me during August recess.

Bonus: Visit https://www.indivisibleguide.com/ for guidance on how to make the most of attending this event.

 

I believe in equal rights for all Americans.

Action: Advocate for equal access to housing for LGBTQ Americans.

Write: Or call your 1 representative (lookup or leave message).

Script: I am from [ZIP] and calling to ask [name] to support H.R. 1447. While it is currently legal in the US to deny housing to LGBTQ Americans, this discrimination is wrong and should be remedied. Can I count on [name] to co-sponsor this bill and stand up against housing discrimination?

 

I believe in a woman’s right to reproductive care.

Action: Oppose new legislation that restricts access to abortion.

Write: Or call your 2 senators (lookup or leave message).

Script: I am calling from [ZIP] to express concern about two anti-abortion bills. H.R. 7 has just passed in the House and moves to the Senate to pull all funding for legal abortion in the US. Secondly, S. 231 would modify the 14th Amendment and define life as beginning at conception. I strongly oppose both of these bills and want [name] to do the same.

 

I believe in creating a healthy planet for future generations.

Action: Support a bill that intends to stop Arctic drilling.

Call: Your 1 representative (lookup or leave message).

Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP] calling to express my support for H.R. 1784. The climate crisis is fueled by petroleum and drilling in the Arctic is a step in the wrong direction. I would like [name] to support creative, sustainable energy. Can I count on [name] to co-sponsor H.R. 1874 and prevent drilling in the Arctic?

 

I believe in the Constitutional rights of free speech, assembly, and press.

Action: Advocate for daily press briefings.

Script: The American people want to know what is happening at the White House. We are tired of leaks, tweets, and rumors. If this president wants respect, we must see transparency in daily press briefings. Name, state.

Write: A postcard to either of the staff below:

• Chief of Staff John Kelly 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
• Atty. General Jeff Sessions 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530-0001

Bonus: Ask your 1 rep to support H.R.3228 for bi-weekly press briefings.

 

I believe free, safe, and open voting is fundamental to a thriving democracy.

Action: Oppose efforts to take the ballot from your hand.

Look up: Go here and click on “Voting Rights.” Is your state considering legislation that restricts voting?

If so: Look up your state legislator.

Script: Hi. I am from [ZIP], calling to oppose efforts to restrict voting in [state]. (Mention specific legislation.) Can you tell me where [name] stands on this issue?

 

Deep breath innnnnnn… Deep breath ouuuuuuuut… We’ve got this.

 

Acts of Gratitude

Get out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail.

Thank Sen. Jeff Flake for acknowledging that bipartisan cooperation is a better course of action for our country. Democracy thrives with collaboration.

Address: 6840 North Oracle Road, Suite 150, Tucson, AZ 85704

 

Thank Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for opposing the president’s efforts to restrict immigration and diversity of skills.

Address: 130 South Main Street, 7th Floor, Greenville, SC 29601

 

Good news

• Democracy is working: Powerful special counsel and a grand jury slowly reveal the truth.
• The president signs bipartisan bill that sanctions Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
• Despite Paris announcement, the president still wants to take part in climate talks.
• Congressional Republicans are starting to act independently of the president.
• Democrats stake out bipartisan high ground as budget and tax talks approach.
• Scaramucci is out as the White House Communications Director.
• The Senate passes the Right To Try Act, expanding terminally ill patients’ access to treatments not yet approved by the FDA.
• EPA reverses course and ozone rules will stand from Obama era.
• Nations begin talks to protect fish in the open seas.
• Five national monuments retain their status and will not be developed.
• National Endowment for the Humanities awards $39.3M in grants.
• Transgender people can continue to serve in the military (for now).
• Coast Guard affirms support for transgender servicepeople.
• Numerous cities express a desire to hire any dismissed transgender military.
• Injunction stops Arkansas law requiring women to obtain consent before abortion.
• House unanimously votes to restore GIs’ education benefits.
• Even more good news at Peace Is Loud.

If you found this checklist useful, please spread the word!

Tweet: Here are 7 easy things to do for week 1 of August recess: https://goo.gl/S259fL

Email and Facebook: Here are seven easy things to do to #resist during August recess: https://goo.gl/S259fL

 

Housekeeping

• To receive this message weekly, sign up here.
• Click if you have a question, correction, or action suggestion. With thanks!
• To see archives of past Action Checklists, click here and scroll down.

This checklist is always ad-free and no-cost. Support its weekly creation on patreon or paypal.