Thursday, March 28, 2019

Action: Demand LGBTQ Civil Rights and the Complete Mueller Report

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DEMAND LGBTQ CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE COMPLETE MUELLER REPORT

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
We must support the civil rights of all Americans. I want to thank the Senator for sponsoring the Equality Act in the Senate and ask that he continue to work for its passage.  I am also asking him to continue to fight for the release of the entire Mueller report.   Thank you.”

ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS

Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here. 

SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because…
FOR ALL BUT WALDEN:  “We must support the civil rights of all Americans. I want to thank the Representative for co-sponsoring the Equality Act in the House and ask that he/she continue to work for its passage.  I am also asking him to continue to fight for the release of the entire Mueller report.   Thank you.”
FOR WALDEN:   “I am asking Representative Walden to place the protection of the LBGTQ community in his district, and the well-being of our country over his party’s politics.  He must support the Equality Act in the House and join in the demand for the release of the entire Mueller report.  Thank you.”

BACKGROUND:

It’s no surprise that Attorney General Barr, Trump’s Justice Department fixer, released a short memo exonerating his boss.   We must continue to demand that the full Mueller report be released.
We must also demand that the civil liberties of all Americans be protected.  The Equality Act will protect the rights of LGBTQ Americans.  Its passage is important.
Trump’s administration policies include:
  • Stripping “transgender” as a federally recognized gender identity.
  • Banning transgender people from military service.
  • Establishing a “Conscience and Religious Freedom Division to shield LGBTQ discrimination by healthcare workers.
  • Removing anti-discrimination language from the HUD mission statement.
  • Ending protections for incarcerated transgender people.
The Equality Act would:
  • Add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act.
  • Ensure that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act cannot be used to discriminate.
  • Supersede the anti-LGBTQ laws currently in effect in 30 states.
  • Safeguard current protections from being gutted by federal courts that Trump has stacked with judges with anti-LGBTQ records.
  • Expand all anti-discrimination protections to public spaces such as public accommodations and transportation services.
Trump thinks Barr’s report has given him the political capital to push his discriminatory agenda.  Tell our MOC’s they must work to pass the Equality Act.

SOURCES: 

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Action: Implore Congress to Defend the ACA and Publish the Mueller Report

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IMPLORE CONGRESS TO DEFEND THE ACA AND PUBLISH THE MUELLER REPORT

ACTION ONE: CALL YOUR SENATORS

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN AND MERKLEY:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling …
to ask the Senator to publicly condemn the DOJ decision to ask the courts to declare the ACA unconstitutional, and to support companion legislation in the Senate to strengthen the ACA.*  I also want Sen. [NAME] to keep fighting to secure the release of the entire Mueller report. Thank you.”
*Describe how the ACA benefits you.

 

ACTION TWO: CALL YOUR HOUSE REPS

Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Find out here. 

SAMPLE SCRIPTS FOR REPRESENTATIVES:

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling …
For all Reps except Walden: “to ask the Rep. [Name] to publicly condemn the DOJ decision to ask the courts to declare the ACA unconstitutional and to co-sponsor legislation to strengthen the ACA.*  I also want my Representative to keep fighting to secure the release of the entire Mueller report. Thank you.”
* Describe how the ACA benefits you.
For Walden: “to ask Rep. Walden to publicly condemn the DOJ decision to ask the courts to declare the ACA unconstitutional. I also want Rep. Walden to co-sponsor legislation to strengthen the ACA.* Finally, please follow through on your support for the release of the entire Mueller report, and make sure that actually happens. Thank you.”
 *Describe how the ACA benefits you.

BACKGROUND:

House Democrats introduced legislation to expand and strengthen the ACA within hours of a surprise announcement that the Justice Department now seeks to have the entire law declared unconstitutional. Previously, the Justice Department had “only” supported gutting protections for pre-existing conditions. If the lawsuit succeeds:
  • 20 million people will lose health care insurance immediately.
  • Oregon’s uninsured population will jump 112%, from 304,000 to 676,000.
  • People with pre-existing conditions will be denied coverage.
The Democrats’ bill is a collection of targeted improvements to the ACA that the majority of the party supports, including:
  • Lower premiums, expanded coverage
  • Protections for people with pre-existing conditions
  • Required outreach and help enrolling during open season
By introducing this bill so quickly, Democrats have reminded voters which party advocates for health care as a basic human right.  And by endangering the ACA, the Administration has reminded voters that life without any ACA is a very real threat.
While the Barr report continues to produce chaos, we cannot lose sight of protecting health care. Our ask today is to defend the ACA and to release the Mueller report in full.

SOURCES: