Action on firearms (still) urgent, reproductive rights in peril, and a victory on nutrition: Civic action to-do list for 5-21-18

3. Action on Firearms (Still) Urgent

Continued school shootings stain the conscience of our nation. On Friday Americans watched with horror as yet another shooting unfolded. It was the 22nd school shooting and 101st mass shooting since the beginning of 2018. How many more children must die before we enact sensible gun laws? We cannot let the horror of these events turn into apathy – we must demand action. Call your elected officials at all levels of state, local, and federal government and insist that they push for a vote in their legislative body on gun violence prevention measures. It is time to stop domestic abusers from possessing firearms, ban assault weapons from the streets of America, and allow law enforcement to remove the guns of individuals who are at risk of hurting themselves or others.

2. Reproductive Rights in Peril

Every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body, but the Trump Administration has put forth a proposed rule that would decimate reproductive health care rights, make it illegal for doctors to refer women for safe and legal abortions, and remove the ability for a doctor to provide women with pregnancy options. Help us change this rule before it goes into effect by submitting written comments to the Department of Health and Human Services. To learn more about how to effectuate change in the rulemaking process, sign up for JWI’s webinar, “Easy Steps to Influence Policy that Supports Women and Girls.”

1. Victory on Nutrition

No one should go hungry in our country, and for the time being, millions of Americans who were targeted to lose their eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can breathe a sigh of relief. Last week the Farm Bill failed (198-213) on a full vote in the House of Representatives, a stunning defeat. Now, Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow are going to work on a bipartisan bill that won’t hold SNAP recipients hostage. Thank your Representative if they voted against the bill and encourage them to work in a bipartisan manner to meet the needs of all Americans.