Call to Action: September 27, 2018
DAYS UNTIL BALLOTS MAILED: 20
DAYS UNTIL BALLOTS DUE: 40
WOMEN’S LIVES MATTER
REAUTHORIZE VAWA
OPPOSE KAVANAUGH
In Trump’s America, women’s rights are always at peril. Brett Kavanaugh, forced down our throats by Trump, shows no respect for women and women’s issues.
In this hostile environment, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)—enacted in the aftermath of the abusive Anita Hill hearing (expires at September’s end) — has not been made a priority in the House or the Senate. Instead, its short-term extension—with some sections deleted—was slipped into a continuing resolution.
VAWA—passed in 1993 and reauthorized three times with bipartisan support—established the DOJ Office on Violence Against Women and provides funding to investigate/prosecute domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.
HR.6545, with 163 Dem co-sponsors, includes important new provisions:
- Increased funding for rape prevention/education
- Helps abuse victims remain in public housing
- Expands laws preventing those convicted of dating violence/stalking or under protective orders from possessing firearms
- Broadens protections for Native American women
All 56 Attorneys General and 46 Republican Representatives unsuccessfully sought expeditious reauthorization.
Disdain for VAWA, and the rush to confirm Kavanaugh, despite multiple allegations of sexual assault against women by him, demonstrate that women’s lives don’t matter to the Trump regime and Republicans in general.
Support Women’s Rights!
Pass Stand-Alone VAWA Renewal in the House!
Demand Kavanaugh’s Nomination be Withdrawn in the Senate!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling to thank Senator [ ] for his continued opposition to the Kavanaugh nomination and for all that he is doing to try to sink it. Credible evidence from Professor Ford, Ms. Ramirez and, now, Ms. Swetnick suggests that Kavanaugh engaged in a pattern of sexually assaultive behavior while extremely intoxicated, and there are numerous other witnesses from whom the Judiciary Committee should hear, were it really interested in a fair and full hearing. Nevertheless, this travesty cannot continue. It must cease immediately. The Senator must demand that Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination be withdrawn. Thank you.”
SENATOR RON 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
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR JEFF 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
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling to urge speedy passage of HR. 6545, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018. Please tell Mr. Walden that I am very disappointed that he did not put Women Before Party and co-sponsor HR. 6545, which funds crucial programs protecting people from domestic violence, sexual assault and dating violence. Since reauthorization of VAWA is an important tool in the fight to end violence against women and girls, please ask him to work to remove it from the continuing resolution and bring it to the House floor for a speedy vote. Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
**ACTION THREE: STAND WITH WOMEN IN OREGON**
Women’s rights are also under attack in Oregon. The only state without any limits on Roe has on November’s ballot a constitutional amendment (Measure 106) that would eliminate reproductive healthcare coverage from insurance policies covering low-income Oregonians and public employees, such as teachers, nurses, and firefighters. Commit to vote NO on 106 https://nocutstocare.com/ and make sure all your friends and family do likewise.
**ACTION FOUR: ELECT A NEW CONGRESS, BE ACTIVE, BE A VOTER, SAVE AMERICA**
There are numerous actions we each can take leading up to the 2018 midterm election. Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Website Event Calander to learn of a few: https://ord2indivisible.org/calendar/ New events are added regularly.
