76 weeks to Midterm Elections
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:
- Call your senators
- Action 1: Advocate for the constitutional freedom to peacefully assemble.
- Action 5: Support a humane immigration system in the U.S.
In this edition of the AoC Checklist:
- Senate actions: What we’re calling our senators about.
- House actions: What we’re calling our House reps about.
- Action 1: Advocate for the constitutional freedom to peacefully assemble.
- Action 2: Advocate with and for detained pregnant mothers.
- Action 3: Support the people who feed our nation.
- Action 4: Hold the current administration to their promises. [Updated!]
- Action 5: Support a humane immigration system in the U.S.
- Say Thanks: Acts of Gratitude
- Check out Good News from around the nation
- How you can support and share the AoC Checklist
Call your senators
Calling your senators’ staffers with multiple concerns is more efficient for both of you–they don’t mind. Democracy thrives on communication, so call them whether they’re progressive or conservative.Then check the box that you called–whether for one issue or all–so we can count your action.
Your script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing about several issues. I’d like Sen. [NAME] to:
- Pass the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act (S. 745) to expand broadband access to all communities. [Source: ACLU]
- Support the American Families Plan to reform tax codes, SNAP policies, and access to higher education. [Source: Center on Budget]
- Pass S. 1, the For the People Act, which enjoys broad bipartisan support, will limit dangerous voter suppression efforts, and will establish sensible national standards for reforms like enfranchising returning citizens and election-day registration. [Source: When We All Vote]
Call your House representative
Calling your representative’s staffers with multiple concerns is more efficient for both of you. They don’t mind, but be sure to call both progressives and conservatives. They need to hear from you. Then check the box that you called–whether for one issue or all–so we can count your action.
Look up your House representative here.
Your script: Hi, I’m from [ZIP] calling/writing about several issues. I’d like Rep. [NAME] to:
- Pass the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act (H.R. 1783) to expand broadband access to all communities. [Source: ACLU]
- Support the American Families Plan to reform tax codes, SNAP policies, and access to higher education. [Source: Center on Budget]
- Pass the bipartisan Postal Service Reform Act (H.R. 3076) to ensure the financial stability of the Postal Service, which employs more than 600,000 people and provides crucial infrastructure for rural America. [Source: NALC]
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.
Action 1: Advocate for the constitutional freedom to peacefully assemble.
Source: NIPNLG
Last summer, police violence against Black Americans sparked historic protests across the country. While exercising their First Amendment rights, police and military groups used brutal repression tactics. The current administration has the power to drop unprecedented federal charges against over 350 Black Lives Matter demonstrators. Speak up to make it happen.
Sign: The #DropTheCharges petition to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Attorney General Garland.
Action 2: Advocate with and for detained pregnant mothers.
Source: RAICES
At Karnes Family Prison and other ICE facilities, reports of extreme medical neglect and abuse of Black pregnant mothers and infants are rampant. Several organizations are calling on Secretary Mayorkas to immediately investigate these reports, free all pregnant mothers and infants from detention, and shut down the ill-named Karnes Family Prison.
Sign: This petition to DHS Secretary Mayorkas.
Action 3: Support the people who feed our nation.
Source: United Farm Workers
Approximately 50% of agricultural workers are aspiring Americans. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has passed in the House, and could put farm workers and their families on the road to citizenship and protection from the threat of detention and deportation. It’s time senators passed legislation supporting those who feed America.
Sign: The UFW petition to senators.
Action 4: Hold the current administration to their promises. [Updated]
Source: USCRI
UPDATE: Haiti has received Temporary Protected Status for 18 months.
Action 5: Support a humane immigration system in the U.S.
Source: AILA
While the Biden administration pledged to review and reset DHS practices, over 15,000 people are currently in ICE custody and face imminent danger of contracting COVID The established interim priorities don’t do enough to protect people in detention.
Sign: The Immigration Justice Campaign petition.
Acts of Gratitude
Get out your stamps, postcards, and sparkle markers for some gratitude mail.
Tell Govs. Mike DeWine (R–OH) and Jim Justice (R–WV) why you are grateful to them for offering financial incentives for their constituents to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Addresses:
MD: Riffe Center, 30th Floor, 77 S High St., Columbus, OH 43215
JJ: Office of the Governor, State Capitol, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E, Charleston, WV 25305
Tell Gov. Jay Inslee (D–WA) why you are grateful to him for signing a bill enabling farm workers in Washington state to earn overtime pay.
Address: Office of the Governor, PO Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504
Tell President Joe Biden (D) why you are grateful to him for revoking a proclamation preventing certain aspiring Americans from entering the U.S. due to their perceived healthcare needs.
Contact: whitehouse.gov/contact
Tell Secretary of State Katie Hobbs (D–AZ) and Maricopa, AZ County Recorder Stephen Richer (R) why you are grateful to them for standing up for the integrity of the 2020 election in the face of an unsubstantiated county vote audit.
Addresses:
KH: Office of the SOS, 1700 W Washington St. Fl 7, Phoenix, AZ 85007
SR: Recorder’s Office, 111 S. Third Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85003
Good News
Decent people everywhere are speaking up and working together. Just look. #GoodNews
National
- Senate votes to repeal a rule allowing banks and third-party lenders to charge consumers at interest rates above states’ maximum rates.
- SCOTUS rules unanimously against warrantless searches and seizures by police.
- DOD cancels all contracts for construction of a physical barrier on the U.S.-Mexico border that would have used funds intended for military missions.
- Dept. of Education revises their guidance on the distribution of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund grants to include DACA recipients, aspiring Americans, and international students.
- Dept. of Health and Human Services reinstates anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people seeking healthcare.
- Dept. of Labor rescinds a rule limiting the entitlement of gig and contract workers to minimum wage and overtime protections.
- FDA authorizes the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in kids ages 12 to 15.
- Four former Minneapolis police officers are indicted by a federal grand jury for violating George Floyd’s constitutional rights.
- The Biden administration dismantles a proposed rule that would have required biometric data from aspiring Americans upon government request.
- President Biden revokes a proclamation preventing certain aspiring Americans from entering the U.S. due to their perceived healthcare needs.
State
- AZ elections officials support the integrity of the 2020 election in the face of an unsubstantiated county vote audit.
- NY: Under a newly passed state law, formerly incarcerated people automatically regain their voting rights when released on parole.
- OH encourages COVID-19 vaccinations by holding a weekly drawing for vaccinated residents to potentially win $1 million.
- WA state passes a law enabling farm workers to earn overtime pay.
- WV offers a $100 savings bond to all residents between 16 and 35 who get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Local
- Essex County, NJ ends a jail contract with ICE.
- Ann Arbor, MI Mayor Christopher Taylor and the City Council work to make Juneteenth a permanent city holiday.
Corporate/business
- Uber and Lyft offer free rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination sites from May 24 through July 4.
- Journalist Sally Buzbee is named executive editor of The Washington Post, becoming the first woman to hold the position at the paper.
- High school students and teachers can access The New York Times for free through September 1, 2021.
Groups and organizations
- A year after his death, the George Floyd Memorial Foundation holds a virtual day of action in his memory to encourage nationwide engagement towards racial justice and equality.
- We, As Ourselves, a movement working to reshape the narrative around sexual violence and its impact on Black survivors, launch their Black Survivor Week of Action.
- 19 advocacy groups demand Congress pass a bill expanding healthcare program eligibility to certain aspiring Americans.
- Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles and the Museum of Social Justice open their “New Black City” outdoor art exhibit.
News with heart
- The U.S. averages a 21% decrease in new COVID-19 cases during the week of May 11, the lowest daily average since September 2020, while COVID hospitalizations and deaths also decrease due to vaccination efforts.
- Nearly one million people sign up for healthcare coverage during this year’s ACA open enrollment period.
- Clergy from across North Carolina unite to declare racist police violence a moral emergency.
- Religious leaders in Texas advocate against new restrictive voting bills over concerns about the bills’ disproportionate impact on voters of color.
- Golfer Amy Bockerstette competes for the NJCAA women’s golf title, becoming the first person with Down syndrome to play in a national collegiate athletic championship.
- A Star Wars-themed “May the Fourth” event raises over $1 million for USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative, a college prep program serving over 1,000 students in need annually.
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Housekeeping
- Gratitude: Big thanks to our editor Jennifer Brunton, to our team of writers and researchers, and to our happy gnome farm of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram volunteers. Thanks also to our amazing patrons and donors who make creating the Checklist sustainable.
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You have made this so easy to use. Thank you.
We need to keep our voices out there even if we are represented by people who don’t agree with us.
We completely agree, Carol! Thank you for speaking up with so many other concerned citizens.