Action Center
Senate's Vote Blocks Divisive Vitter Census Amendment
On November 5, the U.S. Senate voted to drop the Vitter amendment, which if approved, would have required individuals to answer a question on immigration status. Not only would this amendment have been detrimental financially, it would have added to the overall climate of fear within the immigrant community. The intrusive question would have inflamed concerns within both native-born and immigrant communities about the confidentiality and privacy of information provided to the government. This bill would have deterred many residents from responding, and would have likely resulted in an undercount.
>>Thank you for calling your Senator(s): Vitter Amendment Dropped
Write Your Representative: Support the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act
In coming weeks, Congress will likely vote on the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act (H.R. 3126), a bill that would establish an agency whose sole responsibility is to protect consumers from discriminatory and predatory lending practices. On October 22, the bill passed through House Financial Services Committee with a vote of 39 to 29. The CFPA will make sure that consumers have a choice of responsible financial products and the tools needed to make the best decisions for them and their families, and provide greater protection to low-income families - including families of color - who are at the greatest risk of predatory lending.
>>Write your representative and tell him/her to help safeguard families from unfair lending practices by passing the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act.
Confirm Dawn Johnsen for Office of Legal Counsel
The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) serves as a legal advisor to the White House and federal agencies within the Department of Justice. The OLC advises on a number of issues that directly affect our civil and human rights, such as voting rights, criminal justice, religious discrimination and immigration. Dawn Johnsen knows what it takes to run the OLC, and through her work as a constitutional law professor she has proven her knowledge of the government's adherence to our constitutional rights. She will use her experience and knowledge to guide and advise our President and our federal agencies on integral decisions that impact our personal lives.
>> Call your senators and tell them to confirm Dawn Johnsen as head of the OLC
House Voting Rights for the District of Columbia
Washington, D.C. residents pay federal income taxes and serve in the military, but do not have full-voting representation in the U.S. Congress. The District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act (H.R. 157) will provide Washington, D.C. residents with a full-voting member in the House of Representatives for the first time in our nation's history.
>> Call your representative and urge passage of the D.C. House Voting Rights Act.
>> View Previous Action Alerts
Grassroots Organizing Resources
Issue-Based Resources
Below are materials for a few of the issues we are currently organizing around. You can also visit the issues section of the website to learn about other civil rights issues.
DC Voting Rights
Media
Workers' Rights
