CALL TO ACTION #857: Congress Must Protect Our Safety Net (February 13, 2020)
264 Days
Until the November 3rd Election
CONGRESS MUST PROTECT OUR SAFETY NET
(Background — Throwback Thursdays actions shift the focus from the Trump outrage of the moment and remind us that the brutality imposed by his policies is ongoing daily.)
Trump’s 2021 budget, like every previous one, includes funding cuts that would strangle vital safety net programs.
His proposal would slash $182 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, over the next 10 years. It would gut many other programs assisting children, elderly and lower income Americans. When attempted budget cuts fail, Trump uses policy changes. These are designed to restrict access to programs and add paperwork requirements to drop eligible recipients.
New more restrictive work requirements designed to limit access to SNAP go into effect April 1st. It’s expected that 700,000 people will be cut, and food banks are bracing for a sharp increase in people facing food insecurity.
Trump has never stopped trying to gut the Affordable Care Act. He now plans to convert Medicaid funds to block grants to states. As long as Trump is in power, our safety net is in danger. Congress must protect it.
Tell Congress to Protect Our Safety Net!
Stop Trump’s Attack on Americans!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**
SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY AND WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because . . .
. . . the proposed cuts to SNAP and the restrictive work requirements scheduled to go into effect on April 1st threaten hundreds of thousands more Americans with food insecurity. Converting Medicaid funding to block grants threatens the health of poor and disabled Americans. I am asking the Senator to continue to fight against this administration’s attacks on our safety net and the people who depend on it.
Thank you.”
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/
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/
**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because . . .
. . . the proposed cuts to SNAP and the restrictive work requirements scheduled to go into effect on April 1st threaten hundreds of thousands more Americans with food insecurity. Converting Medicaid funding to block grants threatens the health of poor and disabled Americans. I am disappointed, but not surprised, that Greg Walden voted against the resolution condemning the block grant plan. Tell him to put the needs of his constituents over politics and to fight against this administration’s attacks on our safety net and the people who live in his district that depend on it.
Even after announcing his retirement, Greg continues to signal his full support for trumpism, regardless of how much damage Trump is doing to our democracy and to world stability. Know that we are still here and will continue working to flip ORD2 Blue in 2020.
Thank you.”
COMPLICIT GREG WALDENDC (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: BE AN ACTIVIST**
Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Film Screening, “1948: Creation and Catastrophe” – Ashland
February 13 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-film-screening-1948-creation-and-catastrophe-ashland/
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden Wasco County Town Hall – The Dalles
February 15 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-wasco-county-town-hall-the-dalles/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Immigration Panel and Discussion – Medford
February 15 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-immigration-panel-and-discussion-medford/
V-DAY 2020 and One Billion Rising – Ashland
February 16 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/v-day-2020-and-one-billion-rising-ashland/
Rogue Indivisible Member Meeting – Grants Pass
February 16 @ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/rogue-indivisible-general-meeting-grants-pass/
U. S. Senator Ron Wyden Tillamook County Town Hall – Tillamook
February 17 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-tillamook-county-town-hall-tillamook/
U. S. Senator Ron Wyden Lincoln County Town Hall – Newport
February 17 @ 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-lincoln-county-town-hall-newport/
Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate Watch Party – Medford
February 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/democratic-presidential-candidates-debate-watch-party-medford-3/
U. S. Senator Ron Wyden Jefferson County Town Hall – Madras
February 21 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/u-s-senator-ron-wyden-jefferson-county-town-hall-madras/
Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate Watch Party – Medford
February 25 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/democratic-presidential-candidates-debate-watch-party-medford-4/
Rogue Indivisible Spring Fundraising Event & Silent Auction – Grants Pass
March 11 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/rogue-indivisible-spring-fundraising-event-silent-auction-grants-pass/
Women’s March Southern Oregon – Medford
March 29 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/womens-march-southern-oregon-medford-2/
ORD2 Indivisible 2020 Fundraising Campaign
As we approach what will be the most important election of our lifetimes, ORD2 Indivisible wants to be in a secure financial position to help engage as many voters in our district in the election process as possible. To accomplish this goal we are conducting the ORD2 Indivisible 2020 fundraising campaign. Click on the image below to donate.
To make a donation by check, please make the check payable to ORD2 Indivisible and mail to:
ORD2 Indivisible
P.O. Box 1242, Phoenix, OR 97535
ORD2 Indivisible is partnering with Jobs With Justice Southern Oregon and Washington Federal Bank to gather warm adult clothing for the homeless. We are also asking for tarps, throw blankets and sleeping bags.
