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Call to Action: May 23, 2018

PROTECT WOMEN’S RIGHTS

Tell Congress to defend women’s rights to control their own bodies:

  • Stop the “domestic gag rule” on family planning clinics.
  • Pass the sexual harassment bill in the Senate.

The proposed gag rule would cut off Title X funding for safety-net clinics that refer patients to abortion providers or even discuss abortion.

Title X clinics offer only pre-pregnancy care to low-income women.

  • They serve more than 4 million people, 21 percent of whom are Black and 32 percent Hispanic or Latino.
  • Oregon has 118 clinics. They face either financial ruin or must violate medical ethics and withhold information about treatment options.

Meanwhile, sexual harassment reforms are still in play on Capitol Hill. The House already passed reforms via the Congressional Accountability Act. Senate negotiators hope to present a bill soon, though McConnell has not signaled willingness to back it. 

Last month, Senator Merkley gathered 31 male colleagues to support a demand by all 22 female Senators for an immediate vote on House-passed legislation.

These two issues illustrate a cruel disregard for women’s health and safety. Call your MoCs today and tell them we want a society that gives . . .

Women – not men – control their bodies!

**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY:
(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because I want a society that gives women – not men – control over their bodies. Thank you for spearheading the letter in support of protections for victims of sexual assault on Capitol Hill.  I ask you to redouble efforts to persuade Sen. McConnell that a strong bill must come to the floor. Also, I ask you to oppose the Administration’s proposed gag order on family planning clinics. Oregon women need to know all their options when they learn they are pregnant. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN:
(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because I want a society that gives women – not men – control over their bodies. Thank you for signing a letter in support of protections for victims of sexual assault on Capitol Hill.  I ask you to redouble efforts to persuade Sen. McConnell that a strong bill must come to the floor. Also, I ask you to oppose the Administration’s proposed gag order on family planning clinics. Oregon women need to know all their options when they learn they are pregnant. Thank you.”

**ACTION TWO: CALL TRUMP SURROGATE GREG WALDEN**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
(Leave a message if you can’t get through)

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today because I want a society that gives women – not men – control over their bodies.  I ask you to consider how you would feel if someone you love was sexually attacked or bullied at the worksite – every one of the women and men who survived an attack as a child, a spouse and possibly a parent or a sibling. Please use your power to establish workplace protections.  I also ask you to put women before party and oppose the Administration’s proposed gag order on family planning clinics. Oregon women need to know all their options when they learn they are pregnant. Women vote and have excellent memories. Thank you.”

TRUMP SURROGATE 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

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 THREE: REMEMBER FOR THE MIDTERMS**

Women’s rights are human rights and we need a different Congress to protect women’s rights.

  • Make sure you and everyone you know is registered to vote.
  • Make sure every candidate for Congress is answering questions about how they will work to make sure women’s rights and health are defended.

The 2018 elections will be the most important of our lives!

SOURCES: