Produced by the Legislative Committee of the Coconino County Democratic Party and the Democrats of the Red Rocks
FOR BOTH SENATOR SINEMA AND SENATOR KELLY:
Sample script: “I’m astounded and extremely disappointed that the Senate has recessed for the holiday break without first addressing the two most urgent issues we have – the voting rights crisis and the delay in passing the Build Back Better Act. As Democrats, you know that the Freedom to Vote Act is desperately needed to protect our democracy against the flood of state-level measures to restrict voting. And Arizonans – Americans everywhere – are fearfully waiting to see if the child care tax credit is extended, allowing them to continue working, or if they will have more affordable prescription drugs soon, or if we finally take some steps toward a climate-resilient economy. Passing the Build Back Better Act shouldn’t be held up for a vacation! Please know I believe the Senate really abandoned its responsibilities by going into recess before dealing with these two critical issues. And please know – I expect you to tackle these bills aggressively in January, including modification of the filibuster if necessary, before taking any additional time away from the Capitol.”
Sen. Sinema: Call (202) 224-4521 (DC) or (602) 598-7327. Email via her website at http://www.sinema.senate.gov. Tag the Senator at @senatorsinema.
Sen. Mark Kelly: Call (202) 224-2235 (DC). Email via his website at http://www.kelly.senate.gov. Tag the Senator at @senmarkkelly
A. HELP PROTECT ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE
With the US Supreme Court poised to curtail or eliminate the constitutional right to safe, legal abortion, recognized in 1973 in Roe v. Wade, there are several actions that you can take to promote reproductive healthcare justice. First, urge Senators Sinema and Kelly to waive the filibuster rule to allow the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021, H.R. 3755, to proceed to a vote. This legislation has already passed the House. Senators Sinema and Kelly have sponsored the Senate version of the bill, S. 1975; however, they can take action to help move the House version forward in the Senate.
Sen. Sinema: Call (202) 224-4521 (DC) or (602) 598-7327. Email via her website at http://www.sinema.senate.gov. Tag the Senator at @senatorsinema.
Sen. Mark Kelly: Call (202) 224-2235 (DC). Email via his website at http://www.kelly.senate.gov. Tag the Senator at @senmarkkelly
For our fast-action activists, several online petitions are available for signature. The Center for Reproductive Rights is circulating a petition, Tell Congress! Pass the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) – Center for Reproductive Rights
Two other petitions are directed to the US Supreme Court. While it is not likely that the Court would entertain these petitions on their merits, it can’t hurt to let the Court know that the public is watching their decision-making process to determine whether the Court will carry out its responsibilities as a neutral arbiter of the law, or whether the Court will engage in partisan politics pandering to the GOP’s extreme right-wing base:
The first, sponsored by Broward for Progress, a local Democratic organization based in Florida, petitions the Court to refrain from returning decisions about the right to abortion to the states, which would result in political and legal chaos, discrimination, and needless suffering: Tell the Supreme Court: Protect the Court and Public Trust – Action Network. The second, sponsored by the Yellowhammer Fund, a reproductive justice organization serving Alabama and the Deep South, asks the Court to end extreme policies that deny families the right to determine when, whether, and how to create a family: Don’t overturn Roe v. Wade. Protect abortion rights. | MoveOn
While these are southern organizations, the concerns raised affect the entire nation, including Arizona which has a law on the books dating back to 1901 criminalizing abortion. Read Yes, Arizona does have an abortion ban on its books and a Supreme Court ruling could activate the ban (msn.com), published by KPNX-Phoenix on December 4, 2021.
B. ENCOURAGE REP. O’HALLERAN TO SAVE OAK FLAT: In March, Rep. Raul Grijalva (AZ) introduced the Save Oak Flat Act (HR 1884) and in April it was passed by the House Natural Resources Committee. The bill has attracted numerous co-sponsors in the House. In brief, it asks for reconsideration of US Forest Service approval for a mine in this sacred indigenous site; the mine would consume enormous amounts of irreplaceable groundwater, produce huge volumes of contaminated water and tailings, and obliterate the surface landscape containing traditional sacred sites for Apache and other indigenous people in the region. All for a non-US mining company under the outdated (and non-profitable) terms of the General Mining Act of 1872.
Sample script for Rep. O’Halleran: “I’m a concerned voter and constituent in northern Arizona. I’m calling to ask you to sign on as a co-sponsor for HR 1884, the Save Oak Flat Act. Approval of this huge underground mine is an environmental disaster for this part of Arizona; the consumption and contamination of huge volumes of water would be so short-sighted. And there are several endangered and threatened species which would be impacted. Moreover, this site has been used as an important sacred area by Apache people and others for many centuries. I know you are sympathetic to the religious and cultural heritage of tribal nations in Arizona; we should be restoring the protections that were originally afforded this site by President Dwight Eisenhower. Please sign on as a co-sponsor of the Save Oak Flat Act and help get it moving toward the House floor for consideration.”
Rep. O’Halleran: Call (202) 225-3361 (DC) or (928) 286-5338 (Flagstaff), Email via his website at https://ohalleran.house.gov/contact, or tag the Congressman at @RepOHalleran
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