Americans of Conscience Checklist: April 7, 2023

Write: The Honorable Robin Carnahan, Administrator
U.S. General Services Administration 
1800 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20405

Script: Hello, I’m writing from [STATE] to applaud the progress your agency has made in modernizing Vote.gov, and to urge you to accelerate the work that remains to be done. To truly make Vote.gov a trusted place for voter registration, I’m asking you to add signature capture to the online form to allow it to serve Americans who lack access to printers or transportation to voter registration offices. I and millions of eligible voters are counting on your agency to strengthen our constitutional right to vote. Thank you.

Write: Chair Dara Lindenbaum
Vice Chairman Sean J. Cooksey 
Federal Election Commission 
1050 First Street, NE 
Washington, DC 20463

Script: Hello, I’m submitting a comment in response to the Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking re: Candidate Salaries, published December 12, 2022 (87 FR 75945), concerning the use of campaign funds to compensate candidates. I join the Brennan Center in advocating for the following 3 rule changes, which would allow citizens of all backgrounds, not just the wealthy, to run for Congress:

1. Allow candidates to use campaign funds to pay themselves a living wage, capped at the base salary for members of Congress.
2. Draft the new salary rules to comply with other applicable federal, state, and local ethics laws for elected officials.
3. Require public disclosure of salary and benefit payments to candidates, to allow voters and donors to make informed decisions during campaigns.

Thank you.

Contact: Your two senators and one House rep (look up).

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [ZIP] because I’m concerned about the record-breaking rise in antisemitic acts which threaten the safety and autonomy of our Jewish neighbors. I urge you to put an end to antisemitism by publicly condemning these acts, educating the public about its history and ongoing presence, and fully funding initiatives and policy solutions that oppose the spread of antisemitic views.

Bonus: Join the Anti-Defamation League in opposing hate by signing the Pledge Against Antisemitism.

On March 29th, the New Way Forward Act was reintroduced in Congress. This landmark legislation addresses some of the most harmful provisions of immigration law behind racist enforcement practices, including expanded incarceration in detention centers and unjust deportations. Call on your members of Congress to champion this long-overdue legislation. 

Sign: The Immigration Justice Network letter to Congress. (Note: Click “Edit subscription preferences” under the “Start Writing” button to opt out of emails.)

Contact: Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 865 SW 78th St., Plantation, FL 33324

Contact: DHS Office of the Inspector General, Attn: Office of Investigations – Hotline, 245 Murray Drive, Building 410 Stop: 2600, Washington, DC 20528

By phone: 1-800-323-8603

By email: dhsoighotline@dhs.gov

Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] because I’m deeply concerned about the dire mismanagement of Baker County Detention Center. Their ongoing violations of ICE standards and federal laws include inhumane treatment, excessive use of force, extreme medical neglect, racialized harassment, and blocking access to legal counsel. I insist you immediately end your contract with Baker County Sheriff’s Office and release detained individuals to the safety of their communities.

Alternate: Sign the ACLU Florida petition. (Note: You will be added to their email distribution list.)

At least 39 aspiring Americans died and 29 were gravely injured due to a fire at a detention center in Ciudad Juárez. Unconstitutional immigration policies have led to overcrowding at the U.S.-Mexico border and an increase in human rights abuses. The survivors and families of the victims are still being considered by CBP to enter the U.S. and are in need of legal and humanitarian support.

Donate: To the groups directly involved: Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, The Hope Border Institute, and the Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services (DMRS).

Thank Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D–NM) for upholding New Mexicans’ voting rights by signing the Voting Rights Act into law.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400, Santa Fe, NM 87501

Thank Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D–MA), Rep. Derek Kilmer (D–WA), and Sec. of the Interior Deb Haaland for their efforts in producing the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act, a legislative framework for the U.S. to live up to our legal and financial treaty responsibilities to Native American nations.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use these addresses:

EW: 309 Hart SOB, Washington, DC 20510

DK: 2059 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515

DH: Dept. of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240

Thank Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R–AK) for supporting a proposal in the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act, which would give Native nations full criminal jurisdiction over non-Native Americans who commit any crimes on tribal land.

If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: 522 Hart SOB, Washington, DC 20510