80 weeks to the presidential election
The AoC Checklist features clear, well-researched actions for Americans who value democracy, equality, voting, and decency. We are a big tent for all people who want a kinder, flourishing nation.
If you only have 10 minutes, take our top three suggested actions:
- Senate & House Actions: Urge your elected officials to finally establish a binding code of conduct for Supreme Court justices
- Action 4: Support housing equity by April 24th–submit a comment on the Federal Register.
- Action 6: Urge the President to honor Constitutional obligations to asylum seekers.
In this edition of the AoC Checklist:
- Senate actions: What we’re contacting our senators about.
- House actions: What we’re contacting our House reps about.
- Action 1: Urge federal officials to investigate a voting machine software breach.
- Action 2: Call for an immediate investigation into potential judicial ethics violations.
- Action 3: Protect poll workers from abuse and harassment in your state.
- Action 4: Support housing equity (April 24th deadline).
- Action 5: Ensure equal access to clean, safe drinking water.
- Action 6: Urge the President to honor Constitutional obligations to asylum seekers.
- Action 7: Oppose xenophobic state legislation that has national implications.
- Say Thanks: Acts of Gratitude
- Check out Good News from around the nation
- How you can support and share the AoC Checklist
Contact your senators
Check the box if you made contact–whether for one issue or all–so we can count your action. Contacting your senators’ staffers with multiple concerns is more efficient for both of you.
Join the 125 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Your script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing about several issues. I’d like Sen. [NAME] to:
- Vote yes on S. 51, the Washington, DC Admission Act, to add DC as the 51st state and give its 700,000 residents Congressional representation. [Source: LWVUS]
- Pass S. 359, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act, to finally establish a binding code of conduct for Supreme Court justices. [Source: Brennan Center]
- Confirm Julie Su as the next Secretary of Labor, and allow her to continue her work of advocating for underserved communities and improving labor conditions. [Source: MomsRising]
Contact your House representative
Check the box if you made contact–whether for one issue or all–so we can count your action. Contacting your representative’s staffers with multiple concerns is more efficient for both of you.
Look up your House representative here.
Join the 126 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Your script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing about several issues. I’d like Rep. [NAME] to:
- Oppose H.R. 1581, the America Works Act of 2023, which dramatically expands SNAP work requirements and puts 10 million children and adults at risk of losing essential food benefits. [Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
- Vote yes on H.R. 51, the Washington, DC Admission Act, to add DC as the 51st state and give its 700,000 residents Congressional representation. [Source: LWVUS]
- Pass H.R. 926, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act, to finally establish a binding code of conduct for Supreme Court justices. [Source: Brennan Center]
I value democracy
With respect and collaboration, we work to create a nation that welcomes all people, expands freedoms, and upholds the Constitution. Each citizen must be able to freely and fairly elect those who represent their values.
Action 1: Urge federal officials to investigate a voting machine software breach.
Source: Free Speech for People
Advocates from election security, election administration, and computer science fields recently sent a letter to the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security and the FBI requesting a full investigation of a deliberate breach of election software in MI, GA, and NV. Now, information from that breach is being used to circulate disinformation about election security.
Add your name: To our letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and CISA Director Jen Easterly, urging a full investigation of the breach and a comprehensive assessment of the risks it poses for future elections.
Action 2: Call for an immediate investigation into potential judicial ethics violations.
Source: AoCC
Join the 58 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Write: The Honorable John G. Roberts
Chief Justice of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
One First St. NE
Washington, D.C. 20543
Dear Justice Roberts: I join 11 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in urging you to immediately open an investigation into the allegations that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted and failed to disclose 20 years’ worth of lavish gifts from a partisan donor. You have a responsibility to the American people to ensure that the highest court in the land does not have the lowest ethical standards. Thank you.
Write: The Honorable Roslynn R. Mauskopf
Judicial Conference Secretary
Administrative Office of the United States Courts
One Columbus Circle, NE
Washington, D.C. 20544
Dear Judge Mauskopf: There is public evidence that Justice Clarence Thomas willfully failed to file information required under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to be reported. Potential violations of disclosure laws by officers of the highest court merit serious investigation. I join House and Senate Judiciary Committee leaders in requesting that the Judicial Conference exercise its authority to refer Justice Thomas to the U.S. Attorney General for further action. Thank you.
Action 3: Protect poll workers from abuse and harassment in your state.
Source: AoCC
Join the 41 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
If you live in a state other than CA, CO, ME, NH, OR, or WA: Contact: Your state legislators (look up).
Script: Hi. I’m contacting you from [ZIP] to express my concern for the safety of [STATE]’s poll workers. Recruiting and retaining poll workers has grown more difficult due to increasing threats and intimidation. I expect to see [STATE] follow the lead of trailblazing states by enacting new legislation to protect poll workers’ privacy and increasing the penalties for harassing election officials. Can I count on you to support enhanced protections for poll workers? Thank you.
If you live in CA, CO, ME, NH, OR, or WA: Your state has already increased protection for poll workers! Consider sending your legislators a thank-you note (look up).
Bonus: Donate to Verified Voting to support its Voting News publication.
I value equality
Support the dignity of your rainbow of neighbors from every religion, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and ability. We also support policies that show welcome to aspiring Americans and decency to people seeking refuge.
Action 4: Support housing equity (April 24th deadline).
Source: TheCaseMade
Join the 38 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Submit a comment on the Federal Register in your own words by April 24th.
The Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule requires jurisdictions receiving HUD funding to take steps to prevent discrimination and segregation in housing. Public comments for the current revision of this rule are open until April 24th. Since scripted comments are not counted, please introduce yourself and share a story of how you or a loved one are impacted by fair housing policies and/or why you support it based on your values, then use the talking points below to further personalize your submission.
- The proposed rule gives underserved communities a greater say in the actions that program participants take to address fair housing issues, empowering those most impacted by these policies.
- It streamlines the required fair housing analysis for local communities, states, and public housing agencies.
- It requires communities, states, and public housing agencies to set ambitious goals to address the fair-housing issues facing their communities.
Action 5: Ensure equal access to clean, safe drinking water.
Source: NRDC
Join the 82 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: President Biden via the White House contact form.
Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] because I’m concerned about the ongoing dangers posed by lead in our nation’s drinking water. Despite your 10-year plan for lead pipe removal, the EPA is allowing state water utilities 30 years or more to remove them, and the inequitable distribution of funds is further hampering efforts. Please act now to distribute funding for lead service line replacements in a fair and timely manner.
Alternate: Sign the NRDC petition. [Note: You will be automatically signed up for the NRDC email distribution list.]
Action 6: Urge the President to honor Constitutional obligations to asylum seekers.
Source: Never Again Action
Join the 102 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
If enacted, President Biden’s proposed Transit Ban would undo decades of progress and critical protections for people fleeing violence and persecution. The policy would separate thousands of families, require people desperately seeking safety to navigate bureaucracies in countries without functional asylum systems, and endanger those who are forced to return to their country of origin.
Sign: The Action Network petition opposing the Transit Ban. [Note: Click “Edit subscription preferences” under the “Add Your Name” button to opt out of emails.]
Alternate: Contact the petition recipients directly using the Action Network script:
The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, MS 0525, 2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20528-0525
Lauren Alder Reid, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Communications and Legislative Affairs Division, 5107 Leesburg Pike, 18th Floor, Falls Church, VA, 22041 or by phone or email: 703-305-0289, PAO.EOIR@usdoj.gov
Action 7: Oppose xenophobic state legislation that has national implications.
Source: Stop AAPI Hate
Join the 58 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Governor Greg Abbott, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711-2428 or via the Office of the Texas Governor contact form
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711, by phone at (512) 463-5342, or via the Office of the Texas Lt. Governor contact form
Script: Hello, I’m contacting you from [STATE] to oppose Texas’ S.B. 711 and S.B. 147, which enable discrimination based on country of origin and prevent millions of U.S. residents from buying property in Texas. This legislation would amplify the dangerous effects of anti-Asian racism nationwide and create additional barriers for AAPI individuals. I urge you to reject this harmful legislation and instead focus on policies that promote inclusivity and equality for all Texans.
Alternate: Sign the Chinese for Affirmative Action petition. [Note: You may be added to mailing lists.]
Acts of Gratitude
We believe in gratitude as a tool for change. We will print a letter of thanks from Americans of Conscience with your signature and mail it to the recipient. Your information will be removed from this website no later than four weeks after the Checklist’s publication date.
Thank AG Merrick Garland for appealing rulings that would limit Americans’ access to abortion care and preventive healthcare.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: Office of the Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530
Thank Govs. Maura Healey (D–MA) and Jay Inslee (D–WA) for taking steps to ensure that mifepristone is available for those who need it in the states where they serve.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use these addresses:
MH: State Office Building, 436 Dwight St., Suite 300, Springfield, MA 01103
JI: Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504
Thank Gov. Brad Little (R–ID) for vetoing a bill that would have interfered with young community members’ access to library materials.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: Office of the Governor, State Capitol, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720
Good News
If you find good news for democracy, equality, and the planet, share it with us here!
Progress on issues previously featured in the Checklist
- In response to the Biden administration’s proposed changes to U.S. asylum-seeking process, 32,000 people submit public comments at NoAsylumBan.us and nearly 52,000 more on the Federal Register site.
- Montana’s state legislature passes S.B. 77, which would prohibit prison gerrymandering and ensure incarcerated people are counted at their home address rather than where they are imprisoned.
- Activism resulted in the absence of immigrants detained at Irwin Detention Center and being slated for closure due to human rights abuses including the forced hysterectomies of ICE detainees.
- San Mateo County, CA will no longer use county funds, law enforcement, or other resources to assist federal officials in enforcing immigration law.
Indigenous Nations
- The San Carlos Apache Tribe develops water infrastructure on their reservation with funding from a $1.5M contract with the U.S. Interior Dept—a culmination of 40 years of activism.
National
- A federal court in WA orders the FDA to make no changes restricting access to mifepristone, which has been safely used in medication abortions for 23 years.
- The DOJ appeals a TX court’s decision that would block access to mifepristone nationally.
- The DOJ will appeal a court decision blocking the enforcement of some preventive care provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
- SCOTUS rejects WV’s request that the state be allowed to enforce a discriminatory ban against transgender student athletes.
- Federal appeals court reaffirms that schools staff may not deliberately misgender trans and nonbinary students.
- DACA recipients will be eligible to apply for Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges, resulting in lower costs to communities and hospitals.
- President Biden is poised to nominate two Latina judges to powerful federal appeals courts.
- 6,122 aspiring Americans are admitted into the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in March, nearly doubling February’s numbers.
- President Biden issues a proclamation to begin Black Maternal Health Week, highlighting the pain, neglect, and loss so many families experience during what should be a joyous occasion.
- The Environmental Protection Agency is updates standards on mercury emissions and other harmful pollutants from coal-fired power plants.
- IRS and Treasury Department will use $80 billion in new funding for the tax service to collect unpaid balances from high-income earners and to boost customer service resources for middle- and low-income tax filers.
- FEMA will provide extra funding for low-carbon building materials in areas that have been hit by natural disasters, like those affected by the recent Midwestern tornadoes.
- Fewer people visited websites with false or misleading information prior to the 2020 election than leading up to 2016’s.
- Thanks to efforts to educate media consumers, fewer Americans visited websites with false and misleading information in 2020 than in 2016.
State
- CO: A trio of health care bills enshrine access to abortion and gender-affirming procedures and medications.
- HI’s legislature passes a resolution affirming that the Equal Rights Amendment is the 28th Amendment.
- ID: Gov. Brad Little vetoes a bill that would have allowed parents to sue libraries and interfere with young people’s access to library materials.
- KY: Gov. Andy Beshear signs into law a bill to legalize marijuana, reducing the costs associated with arrests and incarceration.
- FL: The natural flow of the Kissimmee River has been restored along a 44-mile portion, reversing damage to 20,000 acres of biodiverse wetlands.
- MA: Gov. Maura Healey signs an executive order permitting abortion providers and patients to use mifepristone with state protection from prosecution and asks University of MA Amherst to also purchase 15,000 doses.
- MI voters pass a constitutional amendment to make the state’s 1931 abortion ban unenforceable, and its legislature passes HB 4006 to repeal the law.
- NM updates their Human Rights Act, strengthening protections for LGBTQ people’s rights and making it easier for people to change their legal names.
- NY: After backlash for her ties to money from oil and gas interests, Gov. Kathy Hochul walked back her plan to gut the state’s climate law.
- OK’s Supreme Court rules that the state constitution guarantees the right to abortion when a pregnancy threatens the pregnant person’s life.
- TN: Memphis-area officials have voted to reinstate Justin Pearson to the Tennessee Legislature after Republicans expelled him last week for protesting gun violence.
- TN: March For Our Lives reports 7,000 students left school on April 3 to gather and protest gun violence at the state Capitol.
- WA: Gov. Jay Inslee orders the state’s Dept. of Corrections to use their pharmacy license to buy an estimated three-year supply of mifepristone, and the University of Washington acquires an additional 10,000 doses.
- WA Supreme Court restricts police authority to question public transit passengers about fare evasion based on privacy rights and racial disparities in law enforcement.
- WI: The Red Barn Wind Park began operating last week, generating enough electricity to power over 50,000 homes.
Local
- La Crosse County, WI residents vote to repeal the state’s 174-year-old abortion ban.
- Central High students walk out of class to protest NE laws targeting the rights and well-being of trans youth.
- Chattanooga, TN becomes the first city to successfully respond to the HUD challenge to reduce homelessness by 25% by 2025, accomplishing a 31% reduction in half the time.
Corporate/business
- U.S. companies announce over 100,000 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last summer.
- The U.S. Department of Justice sues Google for potentially violating antitrust law in its dominance over advertising.
- The Maximum Fun podcast network donates funds raised from their annual sticker sale to five food banks in areas of the U.S. disproportionately affected by poverty.
- The U.S. Postal Service will honor legendary Ponca Chief Standing Bear on a Forever® stamp, to be released May 12, 2023.
Groups and organizations
- Abortion fund organizations in TX resume their work helping people obtain abortion care following a court ruling that shields the organizations from prosecution.
- The ACLU files a lawsuit against the state of IN for not upholding trans youth’s right to gender-affirming care.
- The ACLU sues ID’s Attorney General for threatening healthcare providers who give patients information about out-of-state-abortion care.
- The Spanish-language website NuestraSalud launches to provide accurate health information to Spanish-speaking Rhode Islanders.
- SisterSong’s Monica Simpson made this year’s Time 100 list for her influential work in reproductive justice.
- Utopian Seed Project is creating new, resilient varieties of okra, hopefully adaptable to the changing climate.
News with heart
- Thousands of Catholic nuns from 27 organizations sign onto a letter affirming the Church’s embrace of trans and nonbinary people.
- In response to calls to action by Indigenous groups, Pope Francis formally rejects the “Doctrine of Discovery,” a Church decree still used today to legitimize occupying stolen Indigenous lands.
- Indigenous Kalinga tattoo artist Apo Whan-Od, age 106, features on the April cover for Vogue Philippines.
- Professor Karen Uhlenbeck wins the Abel Prize for mathematics, becoming the first woman to receive the Prize since its inception in 2003.
- In lunar mission firsts, engineer Christina Koch will be the first woman and Navy aviator Victor Glover the first African American astronauts to go to the moon.
- AoCC subscriber (and sister of one of AoCC’s long-time volunteers) Katie Z. designs custom “note from an American of Conscience” postcards.
- The National Park Service Twitter account offers campy moral support to its followers.
- The U.S. recognizes National Arab American Heritage Month for the second year in a row.
- Public libraries across the country give away seeds to encourage planting food and spending time outdoors.
- Mercury Stardust, the Trans Handy Ma’am, raises $2 million to support gender-affirming care.
- India welcomes four cheetah cubs, the first to be born in over 70 years since the animals were declared officially extinct there.
- A U.S. Navy ship is renamed to honor a Black Union hero instead of a Confederate victory.
Need inspiration?
- Read our latest inspiring message by guest writer, Crys Wood: The Price of Eggs: A time of rational fear.
- A reflection on 34 felonies
- Something to believe in
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