ACTIONS OF THE MONTH - FEBRUARY 2021
Action #1 - Restore American Faith in Elections
Contact: President Joseph Biden; The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500
or leave a message at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Script: Hi. I’m from [STATE] and I’m concerned because polls show that 38% of Americans doubt the fairness of the 2020 presidential election, and two-thirds are concerned about voter suppression. In keeping with the call for unity you made in your inaugural address, I’m calling on you to restore Americans’ faith in our electoral processes by issuing an executive order to create a Presidential Commission on Election Resilience and Trust. Thank you.
Action #2 - Support Voting Rights Act (HR1 in the House, S 1 in the Senate)
The For the People Act (HR 1, S1) would expand and protect this most fundamental right and bring voting into the 21st century.
• Modernize Voter Registration
• Automatic Voter Registration
• Same-Day and Online Registration
• Protect Against Flawed Purges
• Restore the Voting Rights Act
• Restore Voting Rights to People with Prior Convictions
• Strengthen Mail Voting Systems
• Institute Nationwide Early Voting
• Protect Against Deceptive Practices
Read More at the Brennan Institute for Justice: (Read more at the Brennan Institute for Justice
Contact:
Script: For the People Act (HR 1, S1) would expand and protect this most fundamental right and bring voting into the 21st century.
Background: The health and strength of democracy has been weakened by years of voter suppression, partisan Gerrymandering and dark money in politics. Democracy reform must be a priority. Democrats have introduced sweeping legislation [HR 1 and Senate 1] aimed at addressing the years of erosion of our democracy by shoring up voting rights, reforming campaign finance, and heightening ethical standards. Examples include.
• Modernize Voter Registration
• Automatic Voter Registration
• Same-Day and Online Registration
• Protect Against Flawed Purges
• Restore the Voting Rights Act
• Restore Voting Rights to People with Prior Convictions
• Strengthen Mail Voting Systems
• Institute Nationwide Early Voting
• Protect Against Deceptive Practices
Read More at the Brennan Institute for Justice: (Read more at the Brennan Institute for Justice)
WHO TO CALL:
Sen. Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 DC 202-224-4543
Sen. Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 DC 202-224-2742
Rep. McGovern Northampton 413-341-8700 DC 202-225-6101
SCRIPT:
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 [H.R. 1/S. 1] the For the People Act and urge [Representative/ Congressman] to work to swiftly pass this legislation. Addressing corruption, protecting voting rights, and reforming campaign finance should be a bipartisan priorities to make our democracy better for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. Thank you for your time and attention.
Support DC Statehood
BACKGROUND:
Residents of Washington DC pay federal taxes but don’t have Senators or Representatives to vote on issues affecting them. DC has a larger population than both Vermont and Wyoming. After the deadly insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6th, Mayor Bowser requested aid from the National Guard but was denied and delayed because the Pentagon, not the Mayor oversees the District’s forces
ACTION: Call Senators Warren and Markey and Representative McGovern and urge them to support HR 51/Senate S. 51 making DC the 51st State of the Union. Support Voting Rights Act (HR1 in the House, S 1 in the Senate)
Script:
Hi, my name is [NAME]. I’m your constituent. My address is [ADDRESS AND ZIP CODE]. My phone number is [NUMBER]. Tonight I’m calling to urge [Senator/Congressman] to make the District of Columbia the 51st State of the Union. The January 6th coup attempt makes it clear that issues like the inability of city leaders to protect the District in emergencies, let alone taxation without representation, is unacceptable.
Action #3 - Begin The Release Of Migrant Families From Detention And End Child Separation
The Biden administration is poised to quickly undo and end the inhumane separation of children from their families and the unending detention of families seeking refuge in the United States. Ask your representatives to support measures that begin the process of reuniting children with their parents or caregivers and releases families from ICE detention.
IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.
Calls: 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
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent and my address is [address] and telephone number [number]. I’m calling to urge support for measures to end the detention of migrant families, as well as support for strategies to reunite separated children with their caregivers. Alternative methods, such as the Family Case Management Program, have already proven successful and cost effective. Congress must work with the Biden administration to fund and implement these methods instead of inhumane detention.
Additional calls:
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) Chair Judiciary Committee, DC (202) 224-2152;
Senator Durbin has a long history of fighting for human rights, especially migrant rights, and he has recently pledged to seek justice for those who have suffered because of these policies in his new role as the Chair of the Judiciary Committee.
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a US citizen calling to support your call to hold Justice Department officials responsible for the child separation policies of the last administration. Thank you for using your position as the Chair of the Judiciary Committee to focus on this issue and to seek justice on the behalf of those who suffered as a result of these cruel policies. My address is [address] and telephone number [number]. Thank you.
House of Representatives - Committee on Homeland Security; Subcommittee: Border Security, Facilitation, & Operations
Congresswoman Nannette Barragán (D-CA), Chair DC (202) 225-8220
Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), Ranking Member DC (202) 225-2031
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a US citizen calling because of your position on the Border Security, Facilitation, & Operations Subcommittee. I’m calling to urge support for measures to end the detention of migrant families, as well as support for strategies to reunite separated children with their caregivers. Alternative methods, such as the Family Case Management Program, have already proven successful and cost effective. Congress must work with the Biden administration to fund and implement these methods instead of inhumane detention. My address is [address] and telephone number [number]. Thank you.
Action #4 - Get Corporate Money out of Politics- Overturn Citizen’s United
As Congressman Deutch said: “The Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United put an unacceptable price of admission on American democracy. We cannot allow the wealthiest individuals and corporations to flood our elections with cash through complex webs of Super PACs and dark money groups that put special interests above the will of the American people. Americans overwhelmingly support stronger gun laws to keep our communities safe, action on climate change to preserve our planet, and a fair economy that doesn’t leave the most vulnerable behind or deny people basic needs like health care and a living wage. Unfortunately, big money in our politics gets in the way time and time again. Limitless campaign spending makes it harder for Washington to solve problems and opens the door to corruption. To ensure that our elections produce a democracy for all, we must overturn Citizens United and get big money out of our elections.”
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 because I am one of the bi-partisan majority of Americans who want big money out of politics. I want Senator Schumer to urge the Senate to pass a measure that is similar to H. R. 1 - the “Democracy for All Amendment” to restore the ability of Congress to regulate campaign finance. Thank you,
Call Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Dial (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 Senate Minority Leader because I am one of the bi-partisan majority of Americans who want big money out of politics. I want Senator Mcconnell to urge the Senate to pass a measure that is similar to H. R. 1 - the “Democracy for All Amendment” to restore the ability of Congress to regulate campaign finance. Thank you,
Call Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (415) 556-4862 or (202) 225-4965
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is] __. My address [including ZIP is] __. My phone number [is] ___. I’m calling Representative Pelosi in her capacity as Speaker of the House because I am one of the bi-partisan majority of Americans who want big money out of politics. I want Majority Leader Pelosi to urge the multiple House Committees considering the bill to move H. R. 1 - the “Democracy for All Amendment” out of Committee and to the floor of the House for a vote. We urgently need to restore the ability of Congress to regulate campaign finance. Thank you,
Call House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (661) 327-3611 or (202) 225-2915
Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is] __. My address [including ZIP is] __. My phone number [is] ___. I’m calling Representative McCarthy in his capacity as House Minority Leader because I am one of the bi-partisan majority of Americans who want big money out of politics. I want Minority Leader McCarthy to urge the multiple House Committees considering the bill to move H. R. 1 - the “Democracy for All Amendment” out of Committee and to the floor of the House for a vote. We urgently need to restore the ability of Congress to regulate campaign finance. Thank you.
Action #5 - Please Send Emails to “5 Calls” and to Jen Hoffman urging them to add the following actions to the list of actions they send to citizens across the country this week.
To: make5calls@gmail.com
Subject: Please consider this request
To the “5 Calls” team:
I work with a group of dedicated people in Western Massachusetts (Valley Action Group) who actively participate in our democracy to make it better. We use the information you list every week to keep informed and to educate us on things we can do to impact our issues of concern.
At this moment we are very concerned about the disinformation and lack of transparency regarding social media control over the flow of information to Americans.
We view it as a significant root cause of the deepening divisions and growing political dysfunction in our country.
I am asking you to consider adding the following to the list of actions that you suggest citizens in the US take.
1- watch “The Social Dilemma” to understand the problems
2- call your representatives and senators to demand transparency from these companies and protections against disinformation.
Sample script: I am deeply concerned about how disinformation and the lack of transparency around how companies like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and others like them, control the flow of information to many American citizens. The disinformation is causing widespread and growing divisions and discord in our country. I want you to support legislation that protects citizens from disinformation campaigns and forces social media companies to be transparent about how they determine what we are exposed to in our media feeds, and why we are being targeted to receive certain information.
Thank you for your consideration.
Cut and paste the same message “To the Jen Hofmann Team” at: jen@jenniferhofmann.com