Actions of the Month August 2020

Actions of the Month - August 2020

ACTION #1 - Demand an Extension to Collect US Census Data

Call: Sen. Elizabeth Warren 202-224-4543; Sen. Ed Markey 202-224-2742; Rep. Jim McGovern 202-225-6101

Suggested Script: Hi, my name is [________], I’m a constituent calling from [full address], and I’m calling today because I’m very concerned about the lack of adequate time to complete the 2020 Census. I ask that the [Senator or Representative] support legislation that grants the US Census Bureau an additional 4 months to collect data, and for an extension to the deadline by which the bureau must submit the information to the White House. With 37% of US households yet to respond, it is clear more time is needed for an accurate count. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Call: Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee (Ranking Member’s office) (202) 224-6221 or (313-226-6020) or Chairman’s office (202) 224-5323 or (414) 276-7282

Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is __]. My address [including ZIP is __]. I’m calling to get a message to both Senators Ron Johnson and Gary Peters in their capacity as Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee. I’m calling today because I’m very concerned about the lack of adequate time to complete the 2020 Census. I ask that the Senator support legislation that grants the US Census Bureau an additional 4 months to collect data, and for an extension to the deadline by which the bureau must submit the information to the White House. With 37% of US households yet to respond, it is clear more time is needed for an accurate count. Thank you for your time and consideration.

ACTION #2 - Stop Authoritarian Police Practices on America's Streets

Call: Sen. Elizabeth Warren 202-224-4543; Sen. Ed Markey 202-224-2742; Rep. Jim McGovern 202-225-6101

Suggested Script: Hi, my name is [________], I’m a constituent calling from [full address], to urge the [Senator or Representative] to introduce and support legislation that would stop Trump from deploying secret federal agents to American cities. Specifically, I would like to see legislation that [PICK 2-3 ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT]:

• Requires individual and agency identification on uniforms of officers; (and)

• Prevents unmarked vehicles from being used in arrests; (and)

• Limits federal agents’ crowd control activities to federal property and its immediate vicinity, unless their presence is specifically requested by both the mayor and governor; (and)

• Requires disclosure on an agency website within 24 hours of deployments specifying the number of personnel and purposes of deployment; (and)

• Makes arrests in violation of these rules unlawful.

Federal law enforcement agents should not be used unlawfully as Trump's personal militia to create fear and chaos at a time when Americans are demanding a reduction in police violence and unlawful use of force. Thank you for your time and attention.

Call: Senate Judiciary Committee (Ranking Member’s office) (202) 224-3841 or (415)-393-0707

Suggested Script: Hello. My name [is __]. My address [including ZIP is __]. I’m calling to get a message to both Senators Lindsey Graham and Dianne Feinstein in their capacity as Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I want the Senator to support legislation that would stop Trump from deploying secret federal agents to American cities. Specifically, I would like to see legislation that [PICK 2-3 ITEMS TO HIGHLIGHT]:

• Requires individual and agency identification on uniforms of officers; (and)

• Prevents unmarked vehicles from being used in arrests; (and)

• Limits federal agents’ crowd control activities to federal property and its immediate vicinity, unless their presence is specifically requested by both the mayor and governor; (and)

• Requires disclosure on an agency website within 24 hours of deployments specifying the number of personnel and purposes of deployment; (and)

• Makes arrests in violation of these rules unlawful.

ACTION #3 - Governor Baker: Provide Ballot Drop Boxes

Call: 617-725-4005

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [TOWN]. My street address is _________.

I’m calling today to demand Governor Baker commit to providing adequate ballot drop box sites around our state. Ensuring voters can safely drop-off their absentee ballots so they are received on time should be a top priority before the November election. Thank you.

ACTION #4: Advocate for passage of additional coronavirus relief package

While Congress has already passed three separate relief bills to alleviate the pandemic’s economic impact, additional help is urgently needed. Despite Trump’s bypass of Congress and signing of executive orders, these are not sufficient compared to the monetary needs facing the nation. Congress must return to negotiations and deliver real economic relief to the American public.

Congress must act decisively to protect families from economic ruin and enable people to stay safe while we work to stop the spread of coronavirus.

The next coronavirus stimulus package should include:

• An extension of the $600 per week unemployment compensation program (which expired on July 31st);

• Suspension of all consumer and small business credit payments (including mortgages, student loans, and personal loans);

• Suspension of negative consumer credit reporting;

• A nationwide ban on evictions;

• Suspension of rent and utility payments;

• Expansion of monthly stimulus payments;

• Expansion of paid sick days, family and medical leave, nutrition and food assistance programs, and housing assistance;

• Payments and other assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments;

• Funding for education and schools that does not require schools to reopen for in-person classes

• Funding for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing; and

• Elimination of cost-sharing for COVID-19 treatments.

Call: 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

Reminder to leave full address to ensure call is tallied.

Suggested Script: Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [Address, Phone number].

I'm calling to urge the Senator/Representative to return to negotiations and immediately pass additional measures to alleviate the coronavirus' economic pressure on Americans. Protecting families economically will help them stay home, reduce the spread of coronavirus, and stabilize local economies.

Call: Senate Finance Committee:

Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) DC (202) 224-3744 Des Moines (515) 288-1145; Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) DC (202) 224-5244 Portland (503) 326-7525

Call: Senate Committee on Appropriations:

Chairman Richard Shelby (R - Alabama) DC (202) 224-5744 Birmingham, (205)731-1384; Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D - Vermont) (202) 224-4242 Burlington (802) 863-2525

Suggested Script: Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'm calling from [Address, Phone number] because of the Senator’s leadership position on the [Senate Finance Committee // Senate Committee on Appropriations]. I'm calling to urge the Senator to return to negotiations and immediately pass additional measures to alleviate the coronavirus' economic pressure on Americans. Protecting families economically will help them stay home, reduce the spread of coronavirus, and stabilize local economies.

ACTION #5 - Call on Congress to Fund the USPS

Call: Senator Elizabeth Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 DC 202-224-4543; Senator Ed Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 DC 202-224-2742; Representative Jim McGovern

Script: [If calling Senate!]

• Hi, my name is [_________], I’m calling from [address with ZIP] to demand Congress support a stimulus package to keep the USPS operating and for the Senate to immediately pass H.R. 2382, The USPS Fairness Act. Please urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the bipartisan HR2382 to the floor for a vote so the USPS can continue to provide reliable service to all Americans. The post office is a crucial part of our public infrastructure and will play a key role allowing citizens to safely vote at home in the 2020 presidential election.

Script: [If Calling House]

Hi, my name is [_________], I’m calling from [address with ZIP] to demand Congress support a stimulus package to keep the USPS operating. The post office is a crucial part of our public infrastructure and will play a key role allowing citizens to safely vote at home in the 2020 presidential election.

ACTION #6 - Demand USPS Postmaster General LoveJoy Step Down

This letter sums up the issues (maybe link to this letter)

Call: Senator Elizabeth Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 DC 202-224-4543; Senator Ed Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 DC 202-224-2742; Representative Jim McGovern Northampton 413-341-8700 DC 202-225-6101

Suggested Script: Hello. My [Name is __]. My [Address and ZIP is __]. I’m calling [Senator [Warren/Markey]// Representative McGovern] to call for Postmaster General DeJoy’s immediate resignation due to his conflicts of interest and his clear disinterest in ensuring all Americans can safely vote by mail this fall. The Postal Service is an essential nonpartisan service, not a tool for partisan gain. Thank you for all your hard work!

ACTION #7 - Voting Rights Protections

Call: Senator Elizabeth Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 DC 202-224-4543; Senator Ed Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 DC 202-224-2742

Script: Hi. My name is [NAME] and I’m calling from [ADDRESS, MASSACHUSETTS, ZIP] because I want to thank the senator for co-sponsoring the Voting Rights Advancement Act - S. 561 to protect every citizen’s right to vote, and to urge the senator to do everything to get it advanced to the floor for a vote. Thank you.

Call: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: (202) 224-2541; [Or mail to: 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC, 20510]

Script: Hi. My name is [NAME] and I’m calling Senator McConnell due to his role as the Majority Leader. I’m call from [ADDRESS, MASSACHUSETTS, ZIP] to ask the Majority Leader to advance the Voting Rights Advancement Act - S. 561 immediately for a vote - nothing is more patriotic than voting and every citizen should be able to vote safely and easily. Thank you.

ACTION #8 -Speak up for accessible voting at the national level

Call: Senator Elizabeth Warren Springfield 413-788-2690 DC 202-224-4543; Senator Ed Markey Springfield 413-785-4610 DC 202-224-2742

Script: Hi. My name is [NAME] and I’m calling from [ADDRESS, MASSACHUSETTS, ZIP] because I want the senator to co-sponsor the Accessible Voting Act of 2020 - S. 3206, which will provide resources to address inaccessible polling places at the state and local levels.

Call: Senate Special Committee on Aging - Susan Collins, Chair, (202)224-2523; Senators Bob Casey, Ranking Member, (202) 224-6324

Script: Hi. My name is [NAME] and I’m calling from [ADDRESS, MASSACHUSETTS, ZIP] because I want [Senator Collins, as the Chair]////[Senator Bob Casey, Ranking Member] of the Senate Special Committee on Aging to support the Accessible Voting Act of 2020 - S. 3206, which will provide resources to address inaccessible polling places, especially for our senior citizens, at the state and local levels.

Call: Senate Committee on Rules and Administration - Roy Blunt, Chairman, (202) 224-5721; Amy Klobuchar, Ranking Member, (202) 224-3244

Script: Hi. My name is [NAME] and I’m calling from [ADDRESS, MASSACHUSETTS, ZIP] because I want [Senator Blunt, as the Chair]////[Senator Klobuchar, Ranking Member] of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to support the Accessible Voting Act of 2020 - S. 3206, which will provide resources to address inaccessible polling places at the state and local levels.

OTHER ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE

Support the USPS: buy stamps and swag!

Leave a thank you note for your mail carrier

Prevent voter intimidation and obstruction on election night: Sign up to be a virtual poll monitor.

Call 866-OUR-VOTE and receive reports of unjust voting practices in real time.

Sign up to be a Poll worker