Regulate Guns & Policing
Protect Us, Not Senate Rules
Jump to today’s actions:
BACKGROUND
Despite a slim Democratic majority, the House passed two gun regulation bills, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021, and reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act this year. Senate Democrats also introduced legislation to renew the assault weapons ban.
These bills languish in the Senate, however, because Republicans filibustered legislation designed to protect us. Their legislative agenda: Make Democrats fail voters. We need Democrats to take a strong, public stand against this Republican obstruction.
Pandemic isolation and job loss, Republicans stoking hatred and violence -- all have worsened our epidemic of gun violence and police brutality. The bills that curb these horrors are popular among voters but opposed by the gun lobby, Republican mega-donors, and their wholly owned politicians.
Eliminating the filibuster is key to passing popular legislation to reign in gun violence and police brutality, build infrastructure, and save our democracy. We ask Senate leaders to:
Bring popular legislation to the floor for a vote, despite filibuster threats.
Eliminate the filibuster and make them vote against bills their constituents want.
Broadcast the Republicans' abuse of the filibuster to obstruct legislation we need.
Our senators need our grassroots support. Call them. Together, we can make a difference.
1. Call the Senate.
Script for 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].
Bills to reduce gun violence, violence against women, police brutality, and assault weapons on our streets are languishing in the Senate because Republicans use the filibuster for obstruction. We ask you to take a strong, public stand for eliminating the filibuster to protect us and our democracy by:
- Bringing popular legislation to the floor for a vote.
- Broadcast Republicans' abuse of the filibuster to obstruct legislation we need.
- Then, after eliminating the filibuster, make them vote against bills their constituents want.
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].
Bills to reduce gun violence, violence against women, police brutality, and assault weapons on our streets are languishing in the Senate because Republicans use the filibuster for obstruction. We ask you to take a strong, public stand for eliminating the filibuster to protect us and our democracy by:
- Bringing popular legislation to the floor for a vote.
- Broadcast Republicans' abuse of the filibuster to obstruct legislation we need.
- Then, after eliminating the filibuster, make them vote against bills their constituents want.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Using the filibuster to stop legislation that protects constituents from gun violence and our democracy from autocracy appears to be the defining mission of the Republican party. As a constituent, I urge you to take a stand for we the people, your constituents, and the constitution you swore to uphold.
2. Call the House.
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].
I thank you for your support of legislation to keep us safe from gun violence and police brutality. Today I'm calling to urge you to join your colleagues who are calling for an end to the filibuster so the Senate can pass these bills into law.
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].
Our pandemic of gun violence and police brutality is worsening, yet your Senate colleagues block legislation to protect us. It is time to show leadership, support your constituents, and call out Senate obstruction.
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].
I thank you for your support of legislation to keep us safe from gun violence and police brutality. Today I'm calling to urge you to join your colleagues who are calling for an end to the filibuster so the Senate can pass these bills into law.
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].
I thank you for your support of legislation to keep us safe from gun violence and police brutality. Today I'm calling to urge you to join your colleagues who are calling for an end to the filibuster so the Senate can pass these bills into law.
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].
I thank you for your support of legislation to keep us safe from gun violence and police brutality. Today I'm calling to urge you to join your colleagues who are calling for an end to the filibuster so the Senate can pass these bills into law.
3. Take Action
Join us on Saturday, June 19th from 12-2 for our For the People phone bank. Help keep our democracy: https://www.indivisibleor.org/events/phone-bank-ftpa-06-19-21
Further Reading
kylegriffin1 (@Kyle Griffin) Tweeted: Pulse shooting survivor Brandon Wolf to CNN: "I am existentially exhausted. I am so tired of statements. I am so tired of hashtags and thoughts and prayers. I am so tired of archaic Senate procedure being used as an excuse to do nothing while people in our communities are dying." https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1404091196968820738?s=27
Three reasons the U.S. hasn't passed more gun regulations (and one reason this time might be different)
Justice Department unveils two anti-gun violence proposals after another violent weekend
https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/07/politics/justice-department-guns/index.html
House passes gun legislation that would expand background checks
https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/11/politics/background-checks-gun-bills-house-vote/index.html
Senate Democrats propose assault weapons ban after House passes gun control legislation
H.R. 1620 Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1620
H.R.1280 - George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1280
