Call to Action: October 27, 2017

————————————————————————————
“Do No Harm” to Fundamental Rights
———————————————————————————— 
#WomensRights
#LGBTQRights

The Trump Administration continues to attack LGBTQ and women’s rights. Earlier, the Administration relaxed the ACA birth control coverage requirement, asserting a need to protect religious freedom, and scrubbed references to LGBTQ people from official websites.

The GOP uses “religious freedom” to violate the rights of women and minorities:
• HHS’s strategic plan defines life as “beginning at conception”AND deletes all mention of LGBTQ people
• HHS blocked “Jane Doe,” a refugee, from obtaining an abortion for weeks until ordered to stop its opposition

A leaked WH memo documents the Administration’s intent to:
• Cut funding for contraception and focus on the rhythm method
Defund a Teen Pregnancy Prevention program that works
Slash USAID’s family planning budget, leading to worsening maternal and fetal health outcomes

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) has been used to justify the intrusion of religion into policy-making. The “Do No Harm” bill, H.R. 3222, would clarify that the RFRA  DOES NOT EXEMPT any business or individual from laws that:
Prohibit discrimination
• Require equal pay
• Protect child welfare
• Guarantee access to health care

Congress should pass Do No Harm. 

“Religious freedom” laws violate fundamental rights!

————————————————————————————
**ACTION 1: CALL YOUR SENATORS and CONGRESSMAN WALDEN** 
(or leave a voice message after hours)

SAMPLE SCRIPT for SENATORS: 
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am outraged by the Trump Administration’s assault on women’s and LGBTQ rights under the guise of “religious freedom.”  The Administration is trying to limit access to contraception and abortion, with the support of religious conservatives. It has withdrawn its support for programs and policies that address the unique needs of LGBTQ people. The “Do No Harm” bill (H.R. 3222) would restore needed balance to the RFRA. Please introduce companion legislation in the Senate and press for its passage so that the rights of all can be respected. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for CONGRESSMAN WALDEN
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am outraged by the Trump Administration’s assault on women’s and LGBTQ rights under the guise of “religious freedom.”  The Administration is trying to limit access to contraception and abortion, with the support of religious conservatives. It has withdrawn its support for programs and policies that address the unique needs of LGBTQ people. Please put people ahead of party and co-sponsor the “Do No Harm” bill (H.R. 3222)—which would restore needed balance to the RFRA—and press for its passage so that the rights of all can be respected. Thank you.”

————————————————————————————
**ACTION 2: FILE A COMMENT OPPOSING THE HHS STRATEGIC PLAN: DEADLINE TODAY**
You can find the HHS strategic plan here. http://bit.ly/2xyrhTc. The deadline is today! Comments on the removal of all references to LGBTQ people and on the HHS’s new definition of life as “beginning at conception” can be made here: http://bit.ly/2gFWrxz

————————————————————————————
**ACTION 3: SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY**
Share this post with friends and family. Help them call their Members of Congress to press for the passage of the “Do No Harm” bill.

————————————————————————————

SENATOR MERKLEY 
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129

SENATOR WYDEN 
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691

WHERE’S CONGRESSMAN WALDEN?!
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400

 

 Image may contain: 5 people, outdoor