Actions of the Month for April 2020
Vote By Mail for Florida Dems
Please contact Gloria for names and addresses of Florida Democrats urging them to VOTE BY MAIL - every postcard that is written and sent will help in the effort to get Florida Democrats to vote! Please help in the effort - Contact Gloria DiFulvio at gdifulvio1@gmail.com to get names and addresses. Just write a few lines on the postcards (index cards work well) and mail them off - this action has been very successful with super positive results!
DEMAND TRUMP USE THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT TO MASS PRODUCE MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Background: As the COVID-19 cases started to grow in the United States, the medical community began sounding the alarm that they did not have enough personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves, and gowns, or medical equipment, such as ventilators, to meet the upcoming demand produced by the pandemic. The quantities needed of these life saving supplies are in the millions, which pushed Trump to sign an Executive Order on March 18th invoking the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950 which allows him to direct private companies to produce good and materials that are deemed necessary for national defense. With the EO in place, Trump can now call on manufacturers across the country to pivot to making these urgently-needed medical supplies. However, Trump has failed to use this power to actually direct any organization to do so even as health care workers from across the country beg for more supplies.
On March 21st, the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, and American Nurses Association sent a joint letter to Trump pleading with him to use the DPA. The letter stated that "America's hospitals, health systems, physicians, and nurses urge you to immediately use the DPA to increase the domestic production of medical supplies and equipment that hospitals, health systems, physicians, nurses, and all front line providers so desperately need."
It is critical we ensure we have both enough medical equipment for patients and PPE for medical care professionals to counter the threat of COVID-19. Demand your Members of Congress pressure Trump to use the Defense Production Act to ensure the manufacture of critical supplies for the coronavirus fight ahead. And for bonus points, call trump to urge him, as well.
Contact: Senator Markey (617) 565-8519 or (212) 224-2742; Senator Warren (617) 565-3170 or (202) 224-4543; Rep McGovern (413) 341- 8700 or (202) 225-6101
Script: “Hello, this is [your name] and I am your constituent calling from [your town, zip code]. As you know, America’s hospitals, health systems, physicians and nurses have urged President trump to immediately use the Defense Production Act to increase the domestic production of medical supplies and equipment that hospitals and all front line providers so desperately need. I urge you to pressure the president to use the DPA to ensure the manufacture of critical supplies for healthcare workers. Thank you for your continued efforts in helping all Americans during this this crisis.”
Call the President: Comments: 202-456-1111; Switchboard: 202-456-1414
Script: “Hello, this is [your name]. I am an American citizen calling from [your city/state], and would like to get a message to President trump. America’s hospitals, health systems, physicians and nurses have urged you to immediately use the Defense Production Act to increase the domestic production of medical supplies and equipment that hospitals, health systems, physicians, nurses and all front line providers so desperately need. As COVID-¬‐19 continues to spread throughout the country, these supplies are urgently needed to care for our patients and communities. I request that President Trump use the DPA to ensure the manufacture of critical supplies for healthcare workers. Thank you.”
Pass S. 3529- The Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act (NDEBA)
The Coronavirus has already had drastic negative impacts on voting. Primaries have been canceled in many states. Last week in Wisconsin vast numbers of polling places were closed. People stood in long lines, struggling to stay a safe distance from each other. Many people forfeited their chance to vote because they opted to stay home rather than take the health risks associated with going to vote in person. We need to urge the senate to pass the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act to both encourage as well as financially support states to immediately implement safe alternative voting options.
Call Senate Committee on Rules and Administration- Vice Chair Klobuchar; (507) 288-5321 or (218) 287-2219
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is ________]. My address [including ZIP is _____]. My phone number [is ___]. I’m calling to get a message to both Senators Roy Blunt and Amy Klobuchar in their capacity as Chairperson and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. I want the senators to urge the full committee to pass Senate Bill 3529 and to urge the Senate to pass appropriate funding measures to ensure that every American has safe alternatives to “in-person” voting during this caronavirus emergency. Specifically, we need to:
1. Expand no-excuse vote by mail to every state;
2. Expand early voting to at least 20 days in every state so that voters who vote in person, including voters with disabilities, can do so safely; and
3. Expand online voter registration.
Thank you.
Call Senate Finance Committee- Ranking Member/ Minority Leader Chuck Schumer; (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 capacity as Ranking Member of the Finance Committee- and in his role as Minority Leader. I want Senator Schumer to urge the Finance Committee to pass Senate Bill 3529 and to urge the full Senate to pass appropriate funding measures to ensure that every American has safe alternatives to “in-person” voting during this caronavirus emergency. Specifically, we need to:
1. Expand no-excuse vote by mail to every state;
2. Expand early voting to at least 20 days in every state so that voters who vote in person, including voters with disabilities, can do so safely; and
3. Expand online voter registration.
Thank you.
Call Senate Finance Committee Chair & Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; (859) 578-0188 or (270) 781-1673
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is __]. My address [including ZIP is __]. My phone number [is ___]. I’m calling Senator McConnell in his capacity as Chairperson of the Finance Committee and in his role as Majority Leader. I want Senator McConnell to urge the Finance Committee to pass Senate Bill 3529 and to urge the full Senate to pass appropriate funding measures to ensure that every American has safe alternatives to “in-person” voting during this caronavirus emergency. Specifically, we need to:
4. Expand no-excuse vote by mail to every state;
5. Expand early voting to at least 20 days in every state so that voters who vote in person, including voters with disabilities, can do so safely; and
6. Expand online voter registration.
Thank you.
Thank You To Senators and Reps for Economic Help
Although Congress has passed several measures to alleviate the economic impact caused by the spread of COVID-19, Congress must do more to support individuals impacted by the pandemic and to help people stay home to reduce its spread. Thousands of Americans can’t keep up with housing, utility, and student loan payments thanks to ballooning job losses. Thousands more must work despite infectious risk because they lack paid sick leave. Congress must continue to pass measures to alleviate economic pressure on US families.
Thank our US Senators and US Representative for their work to do just that.
Elizabeth Warren 202-224-4543;Ed Markey 202-224-2742; Jim McGovern 202-225-6101
Script: Hi, my name is [NAME and I live at _________].
I'm calling to thank [Senator Elizabeth Warren or Ed Markey or Representative Jim McGovern] for their effort to pass additional measures to alleviate the coronavirus' economic pressure on Americans. I am particularly interested in measures like... [PICK 2-3 ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT]:
• Expanded monthly stimulus payments
• Expanded unemployment benefits to cover the majority of lost income
• Universal paid sick leave and family and medical leave
• Establish a new health insurance Special Enrollment Period for those who have lost their job-based health insurance
• Suspension of all consumer and small business credit payments (including mortgages, student loans, and personal loans)
• Suspension of negative consumer credit reporting
add child care. Without special funding, we estimate up to 30% of programs will close
500 organizations are requesting $50 billion targeted for child care centers, both for those providers for essential service workers and for re-opening the economy.
Protecting families economically will also help them stay home and reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Urge Committee Chairs/Ranking Members to Act; US House Ways and Means Committee
Richard Neal – Chair 202-225-5601; Kevin Brady – Ranking Member 202-225-4901
Script: Hi, my name is [NAME and I live at _________].
I'm calling Representative [Neal or Brady] in his capacity as [Chair or Ranking Member] of the House Ways and Means Committee to urge him to pass additional measures to alleviate the coronavirus' economic pressure on Americans. I am particularly interested in measures like... [PICK 2-3 ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT]:
• Expanded monthly stimulus payments
• Expanded unemployment benefits to cover the majority of lost income
• Universal paid sick leave and family and medical leave
• Establish a new health insurance Special Enrollment Period for those who have lost their job-based health insurance
• Suspension of all consumer and small business credit payments (including mortgages, student loans, and personal loans)
• Suspension of negative consumer credit reporting
Protecting families economically will also help them stay home and reduce the spread of coronavirus.
US House Financial Services Committee
Maxine Waters – Chair 202-225-2201; Patrick McHenry – Ranking Member 202-225-2576
Script: Hi, my name is [NAME and I live at _________].
I'm calling Representative [Waters or McHenry] in their capacity as [Chair or Ranking Member] of the House Financial Services Committee to urge [her/him] to pass additional measures to alleviate the coronavirus' economic pressure on Americans. I am particularly interested in measures like... [PICK 2-3 ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT]:
• Expanded monthly stimulus payments
• Expanded unemployment benefits to cover the majority of lost income
• Universal paid sick leave and family and medical leave
• Establish a new health insurance Special Enrollment Period for those who have lost their job-based health insurance
• Suspension of all consumer and small business credit payments (including mortgages, student loans, and personal loans)
• Suspension of negative consumer credit reporting
Protecting families economically will also help them stay home and reduce the spread of coronavirus.
COVID-19 - Advocate for Immigrants - prioritizing human health and safety
Write postcard:
Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of the Dept. of Homeland Security, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C. 20528
Call or email: Matthew T. Albence, Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, via Office of Public Affairs: 202-732-4242 or publicaffairs.iceofficeof@dhs.gov.
Script: Hello, I’m writing/calling from [STATE] concerned about the safety of people that ICE is currently detaining during a pandemic. Numerous positive cases among detainees and staff are evidence that limited space and resources in detention centers make proper hygiene and social distancing impossible. I am joining with thousands of medical professionals and human rights advocates to ask for a moratorium on all ICE raids and immediate release of all non-violent people from custody. Thank you.
BONUS ACTION: Also ask your two senators and one House rep to make a public statement calling for the immediate release of detainees.
Elizabeth Warren 202-224-4543; Ed Markey 202-224-2742; Jim McGovern 202-225-6101
ACTION: OPPOSE FEDERAL FUNDING CAPS ON MEDICAID SPENDING
On January 30, the Trump administration announced a new initiative to allow states to set limits on federal funding for Medicaid coverage for non-disabled adults. This is an attempt to gut the Affordable Care Act. The policy, dubbed the Healthy Adult Opportunity, is a radical departure for the 55-year-old Medicaid safety net program.
Instead of the federal government matching state spending as it does now, states would receive a defined sum and flexibility to tailor enrollment and benefits. The concept, known as a block grant, has long had support from Republicans, who argue it would help cash-strapped states better manage and design their own programs. States that adopt the funding cap will be able to modify their Medicaid benefits to cover fewer prescription drugs and eliminate traditional Medicaid benefits. The policy would also let states charge higher Medicaid copays.
Since 2013, states have been expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. To date, 37 states (including DC) have adopted the Medicaid expansion and 14 states have not adopted the expansion. In study after study, even the conservative states that have adopted the Medicaid expansion are seeing significant financial advantages tied to this decision. For the 14 states that have not adopted expansion, their health care coverage continues to decline, their hospitals shutter at greater rates, and sadly, their residents continue to suffer due to their inability to pay for their health care.
In short, the Trump administration is trying to reduce costs by giving states a set amount of money in exchange for allowing states to make changes to their state program. It will put hard caps on how much money states and the federal government will spend on the poor and disabled.
The current Covid-19 crisis highlights a major flaw in this proposal when it comes to unexpected public health crises. If states were to get capped grants, they would suffer when these types of health care emergencies drive costs skyward. The current program’s open-ended nature of the match-rate subsidy means that states experiencing sudden increases in Medicaid costs continue to receive additional federal support to cover a large portion of those expenses — which is critical, since most states (unlike the federal government) are legally prohibited from going into a budget deficit.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave full address to ensure call is tallied.
HOUSE: On February 6, 2020, the House passed a non-binding resolution, split down political sides, condemning the Trump Administration's efforts to block grant Medicaid.
Call to thank our representative and request he continues to fight for this cause.
Congressman Jim McGovern Northampton 413-341-8700 DC 202-225-6101
Script: Hello Congressman McGovern. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m a constituent calling to thank you for your vote to oppose the Trump administration's new Medicaid block grant funding option. Please continue to work to block the Trump administration’s attempt to water down the Affordable Care Act, especially during this time of a health care crisis across all states.
SENATE: There is no action in the Senate for our senators so we will call to support the ACA and Medicaid against frivolous lawsuits which is another issue.
Senator Elizabeth Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 DC 202-224-4543
Script: Hello Senator Warren. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m a constituent calling to ask you to support legislation that protects the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid from frivolous lawsuits over their constitutionality, such as a bill declaring the individual mandate can be removed from the rest of the law. Thank you.
Senator Ed Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 DC 202-224-2742
Script: Hello Senator Markey. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m a constituent calling to ask you to support legislation that protects the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid from frivolous lawsuits over their constitutionality, such as a bill declaring the individual mandate can be removed from the rest of the law. Thank you.
SENATE: Call the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to express our support for opposing the block grant funding option.
Senator Lamar Alexander (R., Tennessee) (202) 224-4944
Script: Hello Senator Alexander. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m calling you because of your role as the Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. I am calling because I oppose the Trump administration's new Medicaid block grant funding option. Especially during this time of a health care crisis across all states, we should be fighting to make sure everyone can get quality, affordable health care. If this block grant passes, it will end up killing people, please work to save lives. Thank you.
Senator Patty Murphy (D., Washington) (202) 224-2621
Script: Hello Senator Murphy. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m calling you because of your role as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. I am calling because I oppose the Trump administration's new Medicaid block grant funding option. Please continue to work to block the Trump administration’s attempt to water down the Affordable Care Act, especially during this time of a health care crises across all states. We should be fighting to make sure everyone can get quality, affordable health care. Thank you.
ACTION: Protect Accountability with Nonpartisan Inspectors General
On April 8, 2020, a bipartisan group of senators called on President Trump to provide a detailed written explanation for his decision to remove Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson. There is a 2008 law, the Inspector General Reform Act, that requires an administration to provide details of the removal of an inspector general. The senators’ letter underscored the important role inspectors general play in holding agencies accountable and outlined the removal procedures, which are designed to prevent political interference.
President Trump is appointing some IGs that are not suited to the task set for them and are not independent of the agencies that they are working with, and the President is firing others that are doing their jobs and protecting the American people.
Calls to House and Senate to protect inspectors general and ensure the Trump Administration follows the 2008 Inspector General Protection Act.
(NOTE: The plural of “inspector general” is “inspectors general.”)
Senator Elizabeth Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 DC 202-224-4543
Script: Hello Senator Warren. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m a constituent calling to ask you to protect nonpartisan inspectors general and to ensure the Trump administration adheres to the Inspector General Protection Act of 2008. Congress should be informed of inspectors general vacancies and changes in status, given their essential role in oversight of government agencies.
Senator Ed Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 DC 202-224-2742
Script: Hello Senator Markey. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m a constituent calling to ask you to protect nonpartisan inspectors general and to ensure the Trump administration adheres to the Inspector General Protection Act of 2008. Congress should be informed of inspectors general vacancies and changes in status, given their essential role in oversight of government agencies.
Congressman Jim McGovern Northampton 413-341-8700 DC 202-225-6101
Script: Hello Congressman McGovern. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m a constituent calling to ask you to protect nonpartisan inspectors general and to ensure the Trump administration adheres to the Inspector General Protection Act of 2008. Congress should be informed of inspectors general vacancies and changes in status, given their essential role in oversight of government agencies.
House Committee on Oversight and Reform;Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D., New York) Phone: 202-225-7944
Script: Hello Congresswoman Maloney. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m calling you because of your role as the Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. I’m calling to ask you to protect nonpartisan inspectors general and to ensure the Trump administration adheres to the Inspector General Protection Act of 2008. Congress should uphold and support the independence of inspectors general and be informed of inspectors general vacancies and changes in status, given their essential role in oversight of government agencies. Thank you.
Congressman Jim Jordan (R., Ohio) (202) 225-2676
Script: Hello Congressman Jordan. I’m [NAME] from [STREET ADDRESS, ZIP] and I’m calling you because of your role as the Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform. I’m calling to ask you to protect nonpartisan inspectors general and to ensure the Trump administration adheres to the Inspector General Protection Act of 2008. Congress should uphold and support the independence of inspectors general and be informed of inspectors general vacancies and changes in status, given their essential role in oversight of government agencies. Thank you.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (jurisdiction of IG Act)
Senator Ron Johnson (R., Wisconsin) Phone: (202) 224-5323
Script: I’m calling you because of your role as the Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. I’m calling to ask you to protect nonpartisan inspectors general and to ensure the Trump administration adheres to the Inspector General Protection Act of 2008. Congress should uphold and support the independence of inspectors general and be informed of inspectors general vacancies and changes in status, given their essential role in oversight of government agencies. On your website, your biography is all about your concern regarding waste of taxpayers’ dollars – because of this, you should be out in front leading the effort to protect IGs. Thank you.
Senator Gary Peters (D., Michigan) (202) 224-6221
Script: I’m calling you because of your role as the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. I’m calling to ask you to protect nonpartisan inspectors general and to ensure the Trump administration adheres to the Inspector General Protection Act of 2008. Congress should uphold and support the independence of inspectors general and be informed of inspectors general vacancies and changes in status, given their essential role in oversight of government agencies. Thank you.