Hi all, and happy Friday! Also happy Wear Orange Day! (More on that below)
I'm so glad to hear about Facebook's 2-year Trump ban, aren't you? That gets us past the midterms! Phew.
It doesn't solve everything, but, as I say when I do my "gratitude list" every week on the podcast, it's so important that we take a second to acknowledge our wins. I truly believe that what we focus on grows. So let's focus on this: No blog, no twitter, no Facebook. Lots of places the former guy won't be. I am delighted for every one.
And make no mistake. Facebook heard the outcry from its users and acted accordingly. Good.
Now let's make some outcry over a few more issues. Because we're excellent at it...
And it works.
Call Your Senators (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is [name].
Today is Wear Orange day. Across the country, people will wear orange today and all weekend to honor the lives of those taken by gun violence. I'm calling to ask the Senator to support legislation that will address gun violence. Please ask them to fight to pass HR8, as well as the Violence Against Women Act with the Boyfriend Loophole closed. Please fight to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which blocks judgments and lawsuits against the gun industry. And please ask the Senator to look into the Brady Center's ideas for addressing the supply of illegal guns. We need to take a multi-faceted approach to the problem of gun violence, and I will work hard to support lawmakers who make this a top priority.
[If Dem add:] I think this is an issue that merits abolishing the filibuster. 85% of Americans support enhanced background checks. EVERYONE wants something done on guns. Please, do what it takes! Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here)
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is [name].
Today is Wear Orange day. Across the country, people will wear orange today and all weekend to honor the lives of those taken by gun violence. I'm calling to ask the Congressmember to fight to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which blocks judgments and lawsuits against the gun industry. I also want them to look into the Brady Center's ideas for addressing the supply of illegal, or "crime guns." We need to take a multi-faceted approach to the problem of gun violence, and I will work hard to support lawmakers who make this a top priority. Thanks.
Extra Credit
The Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act, a bill aimed at reforming the military justice system and preventing sexual assault, has 66 co-sponsors, (chief among them Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand). After nearly a decade of political legwork, the bill finds itself in the increasingly rare position of having a glide path to becoming law.
EXCEPT...the bill faces a challenge from within the Democratic Party. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has resisted quick passage of something that falls under his jurisdiction. He prefers that the bill go through hearings in his committee and get attached to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a must-pass policy measure typically handled at the end of the year. That adds months of delay to something with the votes to pass now, which has been through years of vetting and study. And delay, as we know, is generally fatal to legislation.
Let's make some noise about this.
1) Let's call Senate Majority Leader Schumer. He could bring the bill to the Senate floor, bypassing Reed’s insistence to have it move through his Committee. To do so, Schumer would need to invoke Rule 14, which allows bills to skip a committee hearing. Let's ask him to do so.
Call 212-486-4430 or 518-431-4070 or 202-224-6542.
Say "I'm calling Senator Schumer in his capacity as Majority leader to ask him to invoke Rule 14 and bring the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act to the floor now. It has the votes to pass. We must make sure it does so. Don't let one Democratic Senator block it. Thanks.
2) IF YOU ARE FROM RHODE ISLAND or you know anyone that is, please call Senator Reed and ask him to stop blocking this bill.
(401) 943-3100 (401) 528-5200 or (202) 224-4680.
Script: I'm a constituent calling to say that I'm appalled to learn that Senator Reed is blocking the quick passage of Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act. Please ask him to let it go to a vote now, without going through his committee first. We know delay is fatal, and I'm angry that his commitment to fighting sexual assault in the military is wavering. Thanks.
3) Please send the below email to President Biden here:
I am deeply concerned that Senator Reed is holding up passage of the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act. A phone call from you would likely get him to stop. Please make the call. Even your own Defense Secretary has said this bill is necessary. It has wide bipartisan support. Don't let one Senator with deep ties to military leadership stop passage of this bill. Sexual assault and other crimes are increasing in our Armed Services. It must be addressed. This bill is well-vetted and has been 10 years in the crafting. Fight to get it passed, please. Thanks.
Let’s Win Races!
Team Beto is holding a phonebank later today for Deborah Peoples, an awesome candidate running for Mayor of Ft. Worth. ELECTION DAY IS TOMORROW!!! Mayors have tremendous power, and God knows we need progressives in elected office in Texas! Also, if elected Peoples will make history as Fort Worth’s first Black Mayor!
I've called with Beto's group many times. It is the gold standard. Their dialer is literally my favorite, their trainers outstanding, and the experience is overwhelmingly fun. Please give it a try!
GOTV Virtual Phone Bank for Deborah Peoples
Friday, June 4 at 6:00PM CT (Tonight!)
Resistbot Text
[to all 3 reps] [H/T]
Hi, I'm writing as a constituent about gun violence. It's out of control, and there is something we can and should do about it.
In the United States, guns and cars nearly tie for the number of fatalities they cause each year. But while a car's primary purpose is to transport people from one point to the next, for many guns — specifically pistols and assault rifles — their intended purpose is to kill. Yet, their legal forcefield discourages change and encourages more profit-focused behavior while ignoring safety.
This cannot stand. Since January 1, 2021, there have been more than 190 mass shootings and 15,300 deaths caused by guns. Yet, the gun industry cannot be held liable for its awful products.
Why? Because of the PLCAA. The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act blocks judgments and lawsuits against the gun industry. And it's time for it to go.
It is absurd that the gun industry gets special protections when they are among the most significant contributors to deaths in the United States. For Big Firearm, the PLCAA was the gift that keeps on giving. For the rest of us, it's the gift that keeps on killing. We suffer and grieve in the wake of drivebys, school shootings, and massacres, and all the while, the gun industry knows we are helpless to do anything about it.
This cannot stand. The gun industry must be held responsible for its deadly products. Congress needs to repeal the PLCAA. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk tomorrow!
Jess