This Week’s Actions
Action 1: Time-sensitive: Safeguard disabled people’s access to critical Medicaid coverage.
Time to complete: Less than 10-15 minutes
Join the 166 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
More than 15 million disabled Americans rely on Medicaid, a program providing free and low-cost medical coverage to people with limited resources. A new proposed rule would require Medicaid applicants/enrollees to fulfill 80 hours of employment per month to obtain/retain this coverage. 92% of enrollees already work, but some cannot. Burdensome documentation requirements for obtaining a work exemption will result in millions of Americans losing essential, life-saving healthcare.
Submit a unique public comment: on the Federal Register by July 31, 2026 telling CMS to withdraw the rule. If applicable, explain in detail how the rule would impact you as a disabled or chronically ill person. If you are a caregiver, explain how the rule would impact you, your clients, family members, or friends. Modify the points below in your own words:
- Medicaid keeps disabled people alive and able to live in their homes rather than institutions.
- Medicaid is the primary payer of long-term care, which is not generally covered by other insurance.
- In Arkansas, where this policy was implemented, more than 18,000 people have already lost coverage.
- Forms, websites, phone calls, and in-person processes required by the work exemption reporting process are unlikely to be accessible.
- People need a reasonable amount of time and support to respond to this change before coverage is denied or ended.
- When proposing new rules, CMS should seek the input and lived experience of disabled people, disability organizations, caregivers, providers, and other stakeholders.
Deadline: July 31, 2026
Source: Disability Belongs
Action 2: Oppose confirming a biased, unethical candidate for the Office of Attorney General.
Time to complete: Less than 5 minutes
Join the 180 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Your two senators (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, I’m ______ from [ZIP], and I’m asking you to oppose Todd Blanche’s confirmation for Attorney General of the United States. Under Blanche, the DOJ has pursued politically motivated criminal prosecutions, overseen tactics that threaten the integrity of the election process, compromised the reputation and integrity of DOJ prosecutors, and demonstrated bias in the investigation of the Epstein files. Please protect the rule of law from corruption and partisan influence by rejecting Blanche’s confirmation.
Sources: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Human Rights Campaign, ACLU
Action 3: Time-sensitive: Urge Congress to provide legal support to vulnerable children.
Time to complete: Less than 5 minutes
Join the 136 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Your two senators and one House representative (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, I’m ______ from [ZIP], urging you to demand the administration renew the Unaccompanied Children Program contract. The administration is withholding program funds, leaving vulnerable children without legal representation in immigration court. Many of these children have fled violence, trafficking, and abuse and the vast majority have no criminal records. Without legal representation, they face deportation to the countries they escaped. I want [NAME] to demand that this administration fund and renew the program contract.
Deadline: July 31, 2026
Source: The Florence Project
Action 4: Time-sensitive: Tell your MoCs: Recess isn’t a holiday—it’s accountability time.
Time to complete: Less than 15 minutes
Join the 12 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: The local (non-DC) offices of your two senators and one House representative (call, write, or email).
Script: Hi, my name is _____ and I’m a constituent from [ZIP]. Would you please tell me when [Sen./Rep. NAME] is holding town hall meetings during the upcoming August work period?
If no meetings are planned, say: It’s an important part of [Sen./Rep. NAME]’s job to meet with constituents in their home districts, and I have questions I’d like to ask [them]. Will you take my information to let me know when they hold the next town hall?
If meetings are planned, ask: Would you give me the location and details? Will there be an opportunity to ask questions? Thank you.
Source: AoCC
Action 5: Urge Congress to take back ICE and CBP’s $240 billion slush fund.
Time to complete: Less than 5 minutes
Join the 102 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Your two senators and one House representative (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, I’m ______ from [ZIP], expressing my grief about the human beings ICE and CBP have killed, including three people murdered within the span of a week. These agencies are acting above the law with $240 billion that Congress approved. I urge [NAME] to immediately take back these departments’ funding.
Source: National Immigration Law Center
Action 6: Stop two voter-suppression measures tacked onto unrelated legislation.
Time to complete: Less than 10 minutes
Join the 95 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Since the House just passed these resolutions on July 22, the Senate could vote on them at any time.
Contact: Your two senators (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, I’m ______ from [ZIP], asking [NAME] to vote NO on two items just passed in the House that have voter-suppression provisions added to them. H.Con.Res. 113 is a budget resolution that continues to fund the illegal war against Iran, and now has parts of the harmful SAVE America voter-suppression bill added to it. H.R. 7008 is an anti-insider-trading bill that now contains a completely unrelated voter-suppression provision. Please vote NO on both of these bills. Thank you.
Sources: 5Calls.org, 5Calls.org
Action 7: Ensure you can vote in all 2026 elections.
Time to complete: Less than 10 minutes
Join the 91 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Voter suppression looms large, but you have some control. Take a moment today to ensure that you can vote in your state’s primary election and the general election on November 3.
- Confirm that your voter registration is still valid (or register to vote for the first time by your state’s deadline; if you’re turning 18 before November 3, you may be able to pre-register).
- Update your address or re-register if you’ve recently moved.
- Make a plan to vote by mail or in person, whether early or on Election Day.
- If you plan to vote by mail, check your state’s ballot return deadline.
- If you plan to vote in person, check your state’s requirements for voter ID (these may have changed).
- Find out who and what is on your ballot.
- Text this link to three friends to ask them to register to vote: https://www.voterparticipation.org/my-voter-info. Studies show that people are more likely to vote if they are encouraged by someone they know.
Bonus: Share this action with friends to ensure they can vote too!
Source: 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Action 8: Tell Congress: Restore SNAP food aid to children and families seeking refuge.
Time to complete: Less than 3 minutes
Join the 90 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
For decades, SNAP has been one of the most important tools helping newly arrived families adjust to life in the United States. But last summer, when the administration cut SNAP eligibility for refugee families, parents working multiple jobs, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and children who have survived war and displacement lost the support they rely on to feed their families. If this program is not restored, 90,000 more people each month could lose SNAP eligibility.
Sign Global Refuge’s online form: Urge your members of Congress to restore SNAP.
Source: Global Refuge
Action 9: Oppose the use of federal funds to pay January 6 insurgents.
Time to complete: Less than 5 minutes
Join the 86 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Your one House representative (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, I’m ______ from [ZIP], asking you to permanently block the illegal $1.8 billion fund created to make payments to January 6 insurgents. I urge [NAME] to sign the discharge petition (H.Res. 1363) to bring the NO CARTE BLANCHE Act to a floor vote, and then vote YES to pass this bill to prevent corrupt taxpayer-funded payments. Thank you.
Source: AoCC
Action 10: Oppose expansion of agencies that have abused public trust.
Time to complete: Less than 5-10 minutes
Join the 67 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Your two senators (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, I’m ______ from [ZIP], calling on you to oppose H.R. 2853/S.1404, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (“CORCA”). CORCA would federalize the prosecution of shoplifting offenses, criminalizing poverty and worsening conditions at the root of these incidents. CORCA would also massively expand DHS’s power through a new coordination center, authorizing the Director of ICE to appoint its head without Congressional approval. Vote NO on this surveillance bill masquerading as an answer to retail theft.
Action 11: Work with others to support social and racial justice.
Join the 10 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
At this critical time in our nation’s history, Americans can choose to be part of progress. Get involved with others committed to social justice through SURJ webinars, toolkits, and campaign updates. With some elections already underway, join SURJ to learn how to talk to dissatisfied white working-class voters in key congressional districts and work to counteract the Supreme Court’s latest blow to the Voting Rights Act.
Get involved with one of SURJ’s current campaigns or join SURJ to receive updates.
Source: Showing Up for Racial Justice
Action 12: Celebrate the Voting Rights Act with a national day of action on August 8.
Time to complete: Less than 1 hour
Join the 13 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Saturday, August 8 is the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, and the League of Women Voters is celebrating with a national day of action: Unite & Rise for Voting Rights. In addition to live events across the nation, there are many opportunities to participate virtually, starting with a national virtual pep rally on August 6.
Bonus: Promote Unite & Rise for Voting Rights with the LWV’s social media toolkit.
Source: League of Women Voters
Action 13: Support voting rights in Indigenous communities.
Time to complete: Less than 10 minutes
Join the 44 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
If you live in states with a federally recognized Native American reservation (AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, IA, ID, KS, IL, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, ND, NC, NE, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, or WY), contact your two senators and your one House rep (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, I’m ______ from [ZIP], asking you to devote some time during the upcoming August recess to visiting your Indigenous constituents on their federally recognized reservation land. Doing so will allow you to see firsthand the voting challenges faced by these communities.
If you live elsewhere: donate to Four Directions Native Vote.
Source: Four Directions Native Vote
Action 14: Raise awareness and spur reform by documenting acts of hate.
Join the 2 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities continue to experience a surge of harassment, institutional discrimination, and hateful speech, fueled by this administration’s anti-Asian rhetoric and policies. Documenting people’s acts of racism supports AAPI’s reporting center, which raises public awareness and, in turn, helps generate new policies, resources, and protections.
Report acts of hate you have witnessed or experienced, including slurs, physical attacks or threats, unfair treatment, hateful online or media content, and racial profiling, using AAPI’s online form.
Source: Stop AAPI Hate
Action 15: Prevent abuse of the presidential pardoning process.
Time to complete: Less than 5 minutes
Join the 58 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
Contact: Your one House representative (call, write, or email).
Script: Hello, I’m ______ from [ZIP], asking you to co-sponsor two joint resolutions limiting the abuse of presidential pardons: H.J.Res. 13 and H.J.Res. 135. The fact that presidential pardons are openly for sale makes it clear that pardon power must be limited. Thank you.
Source: Brennan Center
Action 16: Take credit for showing up in your own community.
Join the 59 Americans of Conscience who have completed this action by checking the tally box!
It’s our hope that using the Checklist inspires you to become more involved in specific issues and/or local action. In the last two weeks, did you volunteer, do service, advocate, or support a local or state cause? Check the box to let us know!
Source: AoCC
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 Florida Speaker of the House Daniel Perez (R) for his support of vaccination safety and his leadership in advocating for students’ health in grades K-12.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: FIU MARC Building, Suite 322, 1550 Southwest 109th Ave., Miami, FL 33199
| Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Darlene | Port Angeles | WA |
| Erica | Monticello | MN |
| Kathryn | Auburn | WA |
| Kerry | Pottstown | PA |
| Amanda | Winchester | MA |
| Name | City | State |
Thank Bristol County, MA Sheriff Paul Heroux for speaking out when ICE tried to publicly intimidate his office into complying with an unlawful request.
If you’d like to mail your own personal expression of gratitude, use this address: Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, 400 Faunce Corner Rd, North Dartmouth, MA 02747
| Name | City | State |
|---|---|---|
| Tina | Havertown | PA |
| Eileen | Bonney Lake | WA |
| Darlene | Port Angeles | WA |
| Kathy | Richfield | OH |
| Kerry | Pottstown | PA |
| Name | City | State |
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
- HHS retreats from a plan to block all Medicaid and Medicare funding for hospitals that provide pediatric gender-affirming care after more than 30,000 Americans left public comments on the Federal Register about the proposed rule.
- A federal court issues a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from learning the identities and accessing the medical information of youth who accessed gender-affirming medical care in New York City.
- Americans leave more than 340,000 comments on the Federal Register opposing proposed changes that would limit potentially life-saving federal research grants and stifle scientific progress.
- A U.S. District Court strikes down a policy that froze work permits and related benefits for applicants from nearly 40 countries subject to travel bans.
- In response to efforts at the federal level to restrict voting access, New Jersey passes the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act to ensure equal and accessible voter participation for all.
- A federal court blocks proposals by the USPS to limit mail-in voting for certain voters.
Good news: Wins for democracy, equality, kindness, and planet.
- Congress passes a landmark bill aiming to reduce housing costs and increase supply amid the country’s housing crisis.
- ICE states that they will suspend vehicle stops related to immigration enforcement.
- A U.S. District Court bars ICE from deporting Jose Trinidad Rojas Pliego, a witness to an ICE agent’s killing of Lorenzo Araujo Salgado.
- A federal court orders the government to pay $15,800 in attorney’s fees for Alberto Castañeda Mondragón after ICE agents fractured his skull while arresting him.
- Plaintiffs in the case seeking to overturn the discriminatory ban on transgender service members in the military are granted class certification, allowing the extension of all protections won in their case to all trans military members currently serving.
- A federal court once again blocks the administration from moving incarcerated transgender women into men’s prisons where they could face violence, harassment, and trauma.
- The Secretary of State announces that the U.S. will re-engage with the global vaccine alliance Gavi amid the Ebola outbreak in several African countries.
- A federal court rules in favor of The Washington Post in a $3.8B defamation suit brought by the president’s social media company in 2023.
- Following a court order, E. Jean Carroll finally receives from the president $5.6M that a jury awarded in her lawsuit for sexual abuse and defamation.
- A U.S. magistrate court rules that the president must submit transparent financial information regarding his businesses if his lawsuit alleging defamation by the BBC is to proceed.
- CA: A federal court issues a preliminary injunction blocking the current administration from forcing Stanford Children’s Hospital to release private medical records that identify patients who have sought gender-affirming care.
- FL: Parent advocates, families, and healthcare professionals secure a win for public health by successfully stopping proposed changes to Florida’s childhood vaccine requirements.
- LA, MO, and MT withdraw from Texas v. Kennedy, a lawsuit intended to weaken or outright revoke disabled people’s rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
- In response to fringe groups restricting abortion and trans rights, NJ approves new protections for gender-affirming and reproductive healthcare.
- WI: The bipartisan state Elections Commission finds that billionaire Elon Musk likely broke election law through bribery, which could lead to criminal charges.
- The Los Angeles Police Department ends their agreement with the Flock surveillance company.
- Bristol County, MA Sheriff Paul Heroux speaks out against ICE’s attempt to publicly intimidate and their efforts to pressure his office to comply with an unlawful request.
- The Cumberland, RI School Committee rejects changes to their transgender and nonbinary student policy that would have interfered with students’ right to confidentiality at school.
- Hundreds of students walk out of class in protest of the school board’s decision to cut a song dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights activist Marsha P. Johnson from their school’s spring concert.
- Yessenia Ruano and her twin 11-year-old daughters return to the U.S. after ICE forced them out of the country a year ago.
- The U.S. celebrates July as Disability Pride Month, while July 26 marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law.
- Tens of thousands of Hungarian residents gather in Budapest for the country’s first Pride march since ousting the country’s authoritarian leader from office.
Need inspiration?
- Read the latest message from AoCC’s Founder and Director, Jennifer Hofmann: We’re Bigger Than the Headlines
- America’s Story Isn’t Finished
- Words to Ponder
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The Americans of Conscience 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.