March 22, 2024
Overdraft fees, 988 Lifeline, register Democrats, and more!
Contact all members of Congress:
By phone: (202) 224-3121
By email: democracy.io
By US mail: Representatives / Senators
By fax: Representatives / Senators
By Resistbot: Resist.bot
Contact White House or other federal agencies:
PUBLIC COMMENT AGAINST OVERDRAFT FEES – DUE APRIL 1ST
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed new protections against exorbitant overdraft fees, part of the agency and this administration’s ongoing effort to take on junk fees. They’ve estimated this new rule will save consumers $3.5 billion or more a year (JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America alone reported $2.2 billion in overdraft fees in 2023) – so the banking industry is working hard to lobby against it. Let’s submit our comments on the proposed new rule in support of the crackdown on abusive overdraft fees, either directly or using this tool from Americans for Financial Reform, before the deadline on April 1st.TELL CONGRESS: IMPROVE THE 988 LIFELINE
In July 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was retired and in its place, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline was launched, offering “a broader focus and a simpler dial code.” The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) has flagged one problem with it: when the 988 call center connects callers to local mobile crisis teams, it goes on the basis of area code rather than the caller’s actual location. This can delay mobile crisis care. The Local 988 Response Act (H.R.4974 / S.3444) would require, among other things, that calls be routed by proximity, not area code. Lets tell our Members of Congress to co-sponsor these bills. We can do so directly, or by using NAMI’s contact tool.
JOIN FIELD TEAM SIX TO REGISTER DEMOCRATS
Politics Girl hosted Field Team 6 founder, Jason Berlin, on a recent video podcast. Berlin explains that Field Team 6 is the only national group that focuses specifically on registering potential Democratic voters. In the video podcast, Berlin shares what and how Field Team 6 works. Let’s give a watch and a listen and then check to see the ways we can help Field Team 6.
THE GRASSROOTS CONNECTOR
Interesting story: last year, grassroots organizers found 19 Democratic challengers to run in rural districts in Virginia where Republican candidates typically run uncontested. They all lost. But: “they forced Republicans to spend money where they hadn’t previously, weakening them in other, tighter races. This dealt the GOP a mortal wound that allowed the Democrats to hold the State Senate and retake the House of Delegates, a tremendous win.” Stories like this about grassroots political strategizing abound at the Substack blog, The Grassroots Connector. Let’s subscribe and learn more. (h/t Swing Blue Alliance)
BE A VOTER
Register to vote, check your registration, get election reminders here.
Make your plan to vote here.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
WV – BILL ALLOWING PROSECUTION OF LIBRARIANS
"The West Virginia House of Delegates debated the merits of removing protections for public librarians and school librarians from criminal prosecution on the off chance a minor encounters books and content some consider to be obscene. The House passed House Bill 4654 ... in a 85-12 vote [Feb. 16], sending the bill to the state Senate." Teachers and librarians are speaking out in opposition, because it is not hard to read this bill as an attack on free speech and educators themselves, who are already under-supported and underpaid. Given the spate of book bannings and attacks on children's reading materials regarding race and sexuality in particular, let’s contact our senators and tell them that we do not support this bill and urge them to vote against HB 4654.
West by Goddamn Virginia