Previous Action Alerts
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2009
Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Thank Your Member of Congress for Passing the Hate Crimes Prevention Bill: On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. For the first time in history, individuals targeted due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status will now be protected from violent crime. This new law provides the federal government jurisdiction to prosecute hate crimes in states where current law or local law enforcement action are inadequate. In many cases, localities and states have simply not had the resources to act. We are proud to celebrate this important and historic victory with the advocates and organizations nationwide who have worked tirelessly to push this bill over the finish line.
Child Tax Credit
Tell Senators to Pass a Stimulus Package with an Expanded Child Tax Credit: The Child Tax Credit (CTC), a crucial component of S.1, is a federal tax credit of up to $1,000 for families with children under age 17. Current law requires families applying for this credit to have a minimum annual income of $8,500, which denies the CTC to millions of poor children and their families. At this time, S.1 lowers the earnings threshold to $6,000, which is better than current laws, but still excludes many low-wage workers with children from the benefits of the CTC. The House version of this bill helps the poorest by eliminating the earnings threshold entirely, allowing 12 million more children, many of whom are African American or Latino, to receive the credit or receive an increased amount.
Eric Holder Nomination for Attorney General
Tell the Senate to Bring Integrity Back to the Justice Department: Holder has earned a reputation as a fair-minded, tough and aggressive foe of political corruption. As U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and as Deputy Attorney General, Holder demonstrated his commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans. Eric Holder’s record of service on behalf of the American people proves that he is the right candidate to lead the Justice Department.
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
Restore Discrimination Remedies for American Workers with the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act: The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is a "fix" to a 2007 Supreme Court decision that severely limited the ability of victims of pay discrimination to sue and recover damages.Without this "fix" the impact of the Court's decision will be widespread, affecting pay discrimination cases involving women and racial and ethnic minorities, as well as cases under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Legislative Update: The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act passed in the Senate!
2008
Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act Signed into Law
President Bush recently signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act – which fulfills a promise of fairness and equality to all American workers with disabilities. This victory shows the power of bipartisan alliance and multi-sectored coalition – as members of the civil rights, disability and business communities came together to work with Congress to fix this wrong.
Child Tax Credit Expansion
Rescue Bill Includes Temporary Child Tax Credit Expansion: The Rescue bill included a CTC expansion among its tax provisions that will benefit an estimated 13 million children. The provision lowers the earnings threshold that families must meet to qualify for the refundable portion of the credit to $8,500, as opposed to the current level of $12,050. However, this provision is temporary as it is only for the 2008 tax year. Learn more about how the CTC is one component of eliminating poverty through our Half in Ten Campaign.
Stand Up Against the FCC
The FCC recently decided to eliminate a longstanding limit on how many media outlets any one company can own. This allowance of media ownership consolidation decreases the local, minority and female ownership of media outlets. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to ease restrictions on media ownership and consolidation must be stopped.
Controversial Judicial Nominations
As a result of the President's relentlessness and the Senate's previous willingness to confirm ideologically-driven judges, ultraconservative judges are becoming increasingly dominant on the courts. The Senate should not grant "swift decisions" (as President Bush would like) when it comes to life-long appointments that impact constitutional rights.
No Child Left Behind Act
Quality Education is a Civil Right: Fifty years after Brown v. Board of Education, the extent of educational inequality is still startling. An improved and fully funded No Child Left Behind and other federal laws must play an important role in making educational opportunity for all Americans a reality.
Richard Honaker Nomination
The Senate Must Reject the Nomination of Richard Honaker to A Lifetime Seat on The Federal Court. Attorney Richard Honaker was nominated to a lifetime position on the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming. Honaker is one of many controversial nominees who threaten to weaken established constitutional rights and civil rights protections for ordinary Americans.
End Racial Profiling Act of 2007
Urge Congress to Co-Sign the Bill to End Racial Profiling. Racial profiling is a violation of civil rights and a drain on resources. The "End Racial Profiling Act of 2007" would create a federal prohibition against racial profiling, provide funding for the training of law enforcement officials on how to discontinue and prevent the use of racial profiling, and hold law enforcement officials and agencies that continue to use racial profiling accountable.
Comprehensive Economic Stimulus Package
Economists say that an effective economic stimulus plan needs to include an increase in food stamps, unemployment insurance, and aid to the states. Senators should also reject anti-immigrant language as it creates barriers to serving eligible needy people.
2007
FCC Nominations
Tell Bush and McConnell to Stop Holding the FEC Hostage to Reward a Political Crony.
President Bush and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R. Ky., tried to hold hostage the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) by insisting on the all-or-none confirmation of four nominees, including Hans von Spakovsky, who has an egregious record of politicizing the U.S. Justice Department and rigging the system against minority voters.
Accurate Census
Urge Senators to Save the Census - An Accurate Count Means Accurate Representation.
The census is struggling to pay for critical activities in preparation for an accurate count in 2010. Getting an accurate count of all Americans is essential for the fair allocation of federal funds among the states. Data from the 2010 census will also be used to monitor compliance with civil rights laws and to determine how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives.
DC Voting Rights Act
Urge Your Senator to Support the DC Voting Rights Act. During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the DC Voting Rights Act (S. 1257), a robust and bipartisan panel, including Wade Henderson, President and CEO of LCCR, expressed strong support for the bill that would give the District of Columbia a voting representative in Congress. The bill would ensure voting representation for the more than 600,000 residents of our nation’s capital.
Media Ownership
Tell the FCC: "I Care Who Owns the media!"
Many Americans, particularly those in underrepresented communities, feel insufficiently represented by today’s media system. One reason for this injustice is the disproportionately small number of minority- and female-owned media outlets. The FCC is examining the current state of media ownership and you have the opportunity to tell them what you think.
Coalition Action Alerts:
Urge Your Senators to Pass the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act(GINA)
All Americans should be able to use genetics in medicine without fear of misuse of their genetic information. This legislation would, for the first time, establish federal standards to protect the privacy of genetic information and prohibit discrimination in the workplace and insurance based on genetic test results.
