Today’s Action: Make plans to take action during August Recess
Today's Top Stories:
Justice Amy Coney Barrett denies request to block Indiana University's vaccine mandate
Barrett's action marks the first time SCOTUS has been asked to weigh in on vaccine mandates that officials increasingly believe are the only way to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Take Action: Add your name to stand with Senator Warnock to pass federal voter protections!
VIDEO OF THE DAY: Two Republicans clashing over election fraud caught on camera
The GOP's wholesale embrace of the Big Lie is paralyzing the party, pitting conspiratorial extremists against "establishment" Republicans who spent the last decade enabling them.
Florida Governor makes deadly misstep
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen: It doesn't get worse than this.
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy is selling "moron" t-shirts to fundraise off anti-mask sentiment
You can't make this stuff up, folks.
Take Action: Sign the petition to end the prohibition on cannabis!
COVID kills FOUR teachers in one Florida school district in single day
Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco said at least three of the four teachers who died were unvaccinated. It is not clear if the fourth teacher had been vaccinated.
Take Action: We support the coronavirus vaccine — the only way to put this awful pandemic behind us!
Tennessee Republican and accused child molestor fighting mask and vaccine mandates spent 55 days on a ventilator, nearly died from COVID
There are no words.
Take Action: Weigh in on if you think Americans should have to face financial hardship because of medical bills.
DeSantis backpedals on threat to withhold salaries of defiant school officials
The move by the governor’s office represents a tacit acknowledgement that it legally can’t take away the salaries of school board members and officials for resisting DeSantis's anti-mask rules, despite previously threatening to.
Everyone's asking "how do we win over Rural voters?" Now we have an answer
No Dem Left Behind: Check out the stellar video for West Virginia Democratic star Richard Ojeda
Phoenix police chief suspended after handing out awards to cops for shooting protesters in the testicles
Just a few more of those bad apples...
Extra COVID vaccine OK’d for those with weak immune systems
US regulators say transplant recipients and others with severely weakened immune systems can get an extra dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to better protect them as the Delta variant continues to surge.
GOP strategist arrested for underage sex trafficking
Anton Lazzaro, a wealthy Republican strategist and occasional Fox News guest, was arrested on five counts of underage sex trafficking.
MyPillow guy claims antifa sabotaged his "cyber symposium" after event flops
Mike Lindell produced no evidence of election fraud at his South Dakota shindig and blamed invisible "antifa things" for undermining his silly crusade.
Only in America...
Meanwhile...
Hope...
Today’s Action: Make plans to take action during August Recess
We’re at the beginning of August Recess, when Congress is home for the month. Our Representatives and Senators are holding town halls, taking meetings, and attending local events...which gives us plenty of opportunities to make our demands face-to-face! Make a commitment during this recess to get personal with at least one of your Congressional reps.
Ask for a one-on-one meeting. Contact their local office to make your meeting request, and follow-up after a week if you haven’t heard back! Arrive with your three biggest requests prepared, and request a clear action for each (ex: cosponsor a bill, make a public statement, join a caucus). Type up your requests in a letter to deliver to your rep at the end of the meeting, just in case they weren’t taking notes!
Attend a town hall. If your reps are offering a public forum, this is a great opportunity to make your demands with witnesses. Contact their office to ask if any town halls have been scheduled (and if not, why not?) and visit Town Hall Project to search for events near you (this site includes Democratic Presidential candidate events, in addition to Congressional!)
Organize a protest visit. Is your rep refusing to hold a town hall and declining private meetings? No problem. Ask their offices if they’ll be attending ANY public events during August recess, and join them there to ask your questions. Be sure to film it and broadcast it on social media! No events? Make the signal loud and clear: you cannot hide from your constituents. Gather your friends, family, and community to protest at their offices.
And the topics? There are so many...but here’s a few to get you started:
- End the filibuster in the Senate so meaningful legislation can be discussed and passed
- Champion strong, progressive climate action in the budget reconciliation bill and otherwise
- Pass the For The People Act and work to protect their most marginalized constituents’ right to vote
- Raise the national minimum wage to $15/hour – cosponsor and pass the Raise the Wage Act
- Secure equal rights protections with the Equal Rights Amendment for women and the Equality Act for LGBTQ+
A Congressional recess isn’t time off — it’s your opportunity to remind our leaders who elected them, and what your communities’ needs are.
PS — Please don't forget to sign the petition holding Florida Governor Ron DeSantis liable for his criminally negligent response to the pandemic, and be sure to follow OD Action on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
