Produced by Democrats of the Red Rocks and the Legislative Committee of the Coconino County Democratic Party
THIS WEEK’S ALERTS: Support adding the Grand Canyon Protection Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, Support the Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act, Demand our Representatives support the Freedom to Travel for Healthcare Act in the Senate and the House version, Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022.
- Please urge the House and our representative Tom O’Halleran to support the inclusion of the Grand Canyon Protection Act as amendment 254 to the National Defense Authorization Act. If successful, this would establish a permanent ban on new uranium mines on public lands around the Grand Canyon. There are over 600 active mining claims waiting in the wings on public lands around the Grand Canyon National Park. The current temporary ban on new mines is not enough. Uranium mines in and around the canyon have contaminated land and water. Enough is enough. It’s time to permanently protect this natural wonder from the risks of uranium-mining contamination once and for all. Inclusion and passage by the House is not the end of the road, the Grand Canyon Protection Act would still need to be included in the Senate version of the bill or added in conference committee in order to e part of the final bill that becomes law. Please join people across the Grand Canyon state including the Havasupai Tribe, local governments, hunters and anglers, business owners, and conservationists by raising your voice in support of protecting the Grand Canyon! CALL /EMAIL TOM O’HALLERAN AND LET HIM KNOW HOW YOUR FEEL ON THIS ISSUE.
- In honor of Tim Hart, a wildland firefighter who lost his life as a smoke jumper in 2021, the Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act was introduced into Congress to address pay and benefits for wildland firefighters. Its clear that fires are no a year-around phenomenon, not just a seasonal issue. Veteran wildland firefighters are leaving their positions in record numbers due to poor pay and benefits. Wildland firefighters are currently designated as Forestry Technicians in the Federal Government. This Act would redesignate them as Wildland Firefighters appropriately reflecting the inherent morbidity and mortality risk that they take on the dangerous work they do. This Act would include hazardous duty pay, recruitment and retention bonuses, appropriate base pay, paid time off for mental health, and providing housing stipends while on fire. Please thank Tom O’Halleran for already being a co-sponsor for this bill. More importantly, reach out to Senators to ask them to support the Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Classification and Pay Parity Act when it comes to the Senate.
- The Freedom to Travel for Healthcare Act of 2022 has been introduced into the Senate with 3 dozen Democratic co-sponsors. A corresponding version, Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022 has also been introduced in the House. We need our Representatives to fully and actively support these two bills. The previous Women’s Health Protection Act failed in the Senate due to the Filibuster and Senator Manchin. These potential laws underscores the constitutional protections found in the 14th Amendment for patients traveling across state lines for abortion care and the physicians who provide that care in pro-choice states. Republicans and many heavyweight anti-abortion groups have already proposed legislation to restrict patients from crossing state lines for abortion services! CALL/EMAIL OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO DEMAND THAT THEY FULLY AND ACTIVELY SUPPORT THESE BILLS!!
Sen. Mark Kelley: Call (202) 224-2235 (DC), Email via his website at http://www.kelly.senate.gov Tag the Senator at @senmarkkelly. Senator Kelly sits on the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Committee on Aging.
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 .
Rep. Tom O’Halleran: Call (202) 225-3361 (DC) or email via website at https://ohalleran.house.gov/contact Tag the Congressman @RepOHalleran
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