The For The People Act Strengthens Congressional Ethics
Jump to today’s actions:
Background
Currently members of Congress are exempt from many federal ethics laws.
Title IX of the For The People Act (HR1/S1) would close some loopholes and strengthen Congressional ethics laws in several ways:
Make members pay financial settlements in all employment discrimination claims, rather than using taxpayer dollars.
Bar members and their staff from working for legislation to enrich themselves or their family.
Prevent conflicts of interest such as serving on corporate boards.
Shine a brighter light on campaign expenditures by lobbyists and corporations.
Require congressional staff to report on outside compensation.
This section of the bill also contains a provision to protect Congress from an adversarial Administration agency that might withhold information. The bill would require Congress to publish all reports it receives online in a searchable database, and it would limit agencies’ ability to alter or remove final reports.
These reforms are important to a healthy democracy. They curb the tendency of power to corrupt, and they apply sunlight as a disinfectant to campaigns and lobbying. We are calling our members of Congress today to emphasize that we appreciate the ethic reforms in HR1/S1 and we support their passage.
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].
I am calling today to state my full support for S1, the For The People Act. Today I am highlighting the congressional ethics reform provisions in Title IX of the bill. I ask you to support the full For The People Act, and to pass the ethics reform provisions intact. Thank you.
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].
I am calling today to state my full support for S1, the For The People Act. Today I am highlighting the congressional ethics reform provisions in Title IX of the bill. I ask you to support the full For The People Act, and to pass the ethics reform provisions intact. Thank you.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I am calling today to state my full support for S1, the For The People Act. Today I am highlighting the congressional ethics reform provisions in Title IX of the bill. I ask you to support the full For The People Act, and to pass the ethics reform provisions intact. Thank you.
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 am calling today to state my full support for S1, the For The People Act. Today I am highlighting the congressional ethics reform provisions in Title IX of the bill. I ask you to support the full For The People Act, and to pass the ethics reform provisions intact. Thank you.
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].
I am calling today to state my full support for S1, the For The People Act. Today I am highlighting the congressional ethics reform provisions in Title IX of the bill. I ask you to support the full For The People Act, and to pass the ethics reform provisions intact. Thank you.
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 am calling today to state my full support for S1, the For The People Act. Today I am highlighting the congressional ethics reform provisions in Title IX of the bill. I ask you to support the full For The People Act, and to pass the ethics reform provisions intact. Thank you.
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 am calling today to state my full support for S1, the For The People Act. Today I am highlighting the congressional ethics reform provisions in Title IX of the bill. I ask you to support the full For The People Act, and to pass the ethics reform provisions intact. Thank you.
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 am calling today to state my full support for S1, the For The People Act. Today I am highlighting the congressional ethics reform provisions in Title IX of the bill. I ask you to support the full For The People Act, and to pass the ethics reform provisions intact. Thank you.
Action 3 - Write Postcards with Us to Help Pass HR1/S1
Help us write postcards mobilizing West Virginia activists to contact Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), urge him to support the For the People Act. Manchin’s support may be the key to passing the Act in Congress. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect and enhance democracy in our country. RSVP HERE
SOURCES:
Annotated For The People Act: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/annotated-guide-people-act-2021
