WE MUST TAKE BACK THE COURTS

Jump to today’s actions:

Call the Senate
Call the House

Background

On May 5, a Trump-appointed district judge living in a 6,900-square-foot house, struck down the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium to combat COVID’s spread, impervious to the 4 million facing imminent eviction or the 12 million behind in their rent who would be saved by the Congressionally-authorized $50 billion not yet been widely distributed.

Other subversions of Bident’s agenda include:

halting his 100-day pause on deportations
Supreme Court’s exempting religions from COVID health rules.

GOP A-Gs are already asking Trump-appointed judges to overturn:

his policies on immigration, climate change, the environment and taxes
Rescue plan’s provision prohibiting states from using their share to reduce taxes.

There are so many Trump-appointed judges because Republicans spent the last six years packing the courts--first by blocking Obama’s nominees and then by filling the vacancies with ultra-conservative activist judges out of touch with America’s needs.
Legislation to protect us and our democracy will not survive unless we take back the courts. To restore their balance, integrity and independence requires:

passing the Judiciary Act of 2021 which adds four Justices--one for each Circuit
dramatically increasing lower court judgeships
nominating and confirming diverse judges committed to civil and human rights.

1. Call the Senate.

Script Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

As the striking down of the nationwide eviction moratorium demonstrates, GOP-packed courts are already subverting Biden’s agenda. Legislation to protect us and our democracy will not survive unless we take back the courts. I am imploring the Senator to: (1) push for immediate federal court expansion in legislation that empowers President Biden to fill all new positions; and (2) co-sponsor and actively support passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (S.1141) which, through the addition of four new Supreme Court justices, restores the Court’s balance by again providing for one justice per circuit.

SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

As the striking down of the nationwide eviction moratorium demonstrates, GOP-packed courts are already subverting Biden’s agenda. Legislation to protect us and our democracy will not survive unless we take back the courts. I am imploring the Senator to: (1) push for immediate federal court expansion in legislation that empowers President Biden to fill all new positions; and (2) co-sponsor and actively support passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (S.1141) which, through the addition of four new Supreme Court justices, restores the Court’s balance by again providing for one justice per circuit.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

It is time to rebalance the courts to meet the needs of the American people. Approving court expansion has always been bipartisan, and this practice must continue. Your constituents are watching.

2. Call the House.

Look up your rep.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

As the striking down of the nationwide eviction moratorium demonstrates, GOP-packed courts are already subverting Biden’s agenda. Legislation to protect us and our democracy will not survive unless we take back the courts. I am imploring my Representative to: (1) push for immediate federal court expansion in legislation that empowers President Biden to fill all new positions; and (2) co-sponsor and actively support passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (HR.2584) which, through the addition of four new Supreme Court justices, restores the Court’s balance by again providing for one justice per circuit.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

It is time to rebalance the courts to meet the needs of the American people. Approving court expansion has always been bipartisan, and this practice must continue. Your constituents are watching.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

As the striking down of the nationwide eviction moratorium demonstrates, GOP-packed courts are already subverting Biden’s agenda. Legislation to protect us and our democracy will not survive unless we take back the courts. I am imploring my Representative to: (1) push for immediate federal court expansion in legislation that empowers President Biden to fill all new positions; and (2) co-sponsor and actively support passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (HR.2584) which, through the addition of four new Supreme Court justices, restores the Court’s balance by again providing for one justice per circuit.

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

As the striking down of the nationwide eviction moratorium demonstrates, GOP-packed courts are already subverting Biden’s agenda. Legislation to protect us and our democracy will not survive unless we take back the courts. I am imploring my Representative to: (1) push for immediate federal court expansion in legislation that empowers President Biden to fill all new positions; and (2) co-sponsor and actively support passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (HR.2584) which, through the addition of four new Supreme Court justices, restores the Court’s balance by again providing for one justice per circuit.

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

As the striking down of the nationwide eviction moratorium demonstrates, GOP-packed courts are already subverting Biden’s agenda. Legislation to protect us and our democracy will not survive unless we take back the courts. I am imploring my Representative to: (1) push for immediate federal court expansion in legislation that empowers President Biden to fill all new positions; and (2) co-sponsor and actively support passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021 (HR.2584) which, through the addition of four new Supreme Court justices, restores the Court’s balance by again providing for one justice per circuit.

3. Take Action.

Demand Justice has launched a multifaceted campaign to urge Democratic Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor and work for the passage of the Judiciary Act of 2021, with the goal of pressuring Majority Leader Schumer and House Speaker Pelosi to bring it up for a vote in the Senate and the House. One facet involves contacting small donors who have contributed to Democratic campaigns urging them to tell the recipient of their donations about the importance of this legislation. To learn more about this campaign and how you can get involved, please click here.