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Call to Action: November 27, 2018

PROTECT WOMEN FROM VIOLENCE

AND

REFORM CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Congress is scheduled to be in joint session for only 12 more days. In addition to the issues we’ve already highlighted – the Farm Bill SNAP provisions, the Mueller bill, the bad nominations – Congress must re-authorize an expanded Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and criminal justice reform (First Step Act).

VAWA, expiring on 12/7, was hailed as landmark legislation when it passed in 1994. It currently contains crucial provisions protecting victims of domestic violence:

  • Limits on admissibility of victim sexual history
  • Violence prevention programs
  • Protections for victims who are evicted
  • Funding for rape crisis centers and hotlines
  • Programs for immigrant and disabled victims and victims of different races or ethnicities

The First Step Act is bi-partisan legislation to:

  • Lower mandatory minimum sentences for some drug offenses
  • Allow judges discretion to not follow some mandatory minimum sentences
  • Eliminate the “three strikes” law and some sentencing enhancements
  • Permit retroactive reduction of some of the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses

But laws can only be as effective as the judges who apply them. That’s why we must also tell the Senate to vote down the nominations of unqualified Thomas Farr and Jonathan Kobes.

Pass VAWA and First Step!

Just Say No to Farr and Kobes!

**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because Christine Blassey Ford’s testimony underscored the continuing need for attention to the plight of victims of sexual violence. [For Wyden] I am thankful to Senator Wyden for sponsoring the Protecting Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims Act of 2017 (S. 1539), which would eliminate the “boyfriend loophole” now in the Violence Against Women Act. [For Wyden and Merkley] Please ask the Senator to do these three things:

1) Do everything he can to re-authorize the VAWA (H.R. 6545),

2) Push hard for passage of the First Step Act (S. 2795), a bi-partisan measure that begins to address the tragic legal inequities that have led to mass incarceration,

3) Continue to do everything he can to prevent the confirmation of unqualified judicial nominees, especially Thomas Farr and Jonathan Kobes.

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**

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because Christine Blassey Ford’s testimony underscored the continuing need for attention to the plight of victims of sexual violence. I am asking that Greg Walden PUT WOMEN BEFORE PARTY and address this ongoing issue by supporting the Zero Tolerance for Domestic Abusers Act (H.R. 3207), which would eliminate the “boyfriend loophole” now in the Violence Against Women Act, as well as a new law to re-authorize VAWA (H.R. 6545). We need Mr. Walden to do everything he can to make that happen! I also ask him to push hard for passage of the First Step Act (H.R. 5682), a bi-partisan measure endorsed by Trump that begins to address the tragic legal inequities that have led to mass incarceration. 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: READ “INDIVISIBLE ON OFFENSE”**

The Democratic majority in the House can now determine which bills get votes. Read Indivisible’s new strategy for how progressives can exercise their power to go on legislative offense in 2019 and 2020 utilizing “messaging” bills and “must-pass” bills. Then get ready to make sure the newly-elected House uses its power wisely.

2020 Starts Now!

HELP US ADD OFFENSE TO OUR GAME PLAN!