TAKE CARE OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS
#VAWA #ProtectFamilies #PayContractors
The last-minute appropriations bill averted a Government shutdown last week. While we are glad that the longest partial shutdown in history wasn’t resumed, the compromise legislation left out provisions that we must continue to fight for. The bill didn’t include:
- Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) although funding for its programs was included
- Back-pay for contractors involuntarily suspended from work during the shutdown
- The annual intelligence appropriation
- An extension of funding for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families past June 30
- A waiver of the Pay-Go rules to avoid nearly $1 billion in automatically sequestrated funding
While it is easy to be distracted by the Trumpian chaos, our Members of Congress must ensure that these essential bills and programs are not forgotten.
Reauthorize and Strengthen VAWA!
Backpay for Contractors!
Fund the Intelligence Community!
Fund Families in Need!
No Sequestration!
**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**
Sample script for Senators Wyden and Merkley:
(Leave a message if you can’t get through)
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because I am concerned about the things Congress left out of the appropriations bill it passed last week. We expect you to act swiftly to pass:
- Reauthorization and expansion of the Violence Against Women Act.
- Back-pay for government contractors using already authorized funds.
- Benefits for families that need help.
- Funding for the Intelligence Community.
- A waiver of the Pay-Go rules.
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 for Greg Walden:
(Leave a message if you can’t get through)
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because I am concerned about the things Congress left out of the appropriations bill it passed last week. We expect you to act swiftly to pass:
- Reauthorization and expansion of the Violence Against Women Act.
- Back-pay for government contractors using already authorized funds.
- Benefits for families that need help.
- Funding for the Intelligence Community.
- A waiver of the Pay-Go rules.
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: BE AN ACTIVIST**
Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on our local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. Check out the following:
No War on Venezuela – Medford
TOMORROW – February 23 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/no-war-on-venezuela-medford/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: SOCAN’s February Monthly Meeting: Bugged by Global Warming: Insects in a Changing Climate – Medford
February 26 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-socans-february-monthly-meeting-bugged-by-global-warming-insects-in-a-changing-climate-medford/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Political Repression in the Era of Climate Crisis – Talent
February 27 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-political-repression-in-the-era-of-climate-crisis-talent/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Strategies and Stories from the German Climate Justice Movement – Grants Pass
March 5 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-strategies-and-stories-from-the-german-climate-justice-movement-grants-pass/
Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Take Action in Salem to Stop Jordan Cove LNG – Salem
March 28 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm REGISTRATION IS DUE BY MARCH 15
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-take-action-in-salem-to-stop-jordan-cove-lng-salem/
SUBMIT EVENTS TO BE ADDED TO THE ORD2 INDIVISIBLE EVENT CALENDAR
Help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/
SOURCES:
https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/bid-avoid-another-shutdown-spending-conference-report-drops-violence-women-act-extensio
https://www.vox.com/2019/2/14/18224420/contractors-government-shutdown-back-pay
http://fortune.com/2016/09/30/donald-trump-stiff-contractors/