A vote on gun violence, increasing awareness of dating abuse, and a living wage for all: Civic action to-do list for 2-4-19

3. Stop Dangerous Gun Sales

We are only five weeks into the new year, but there have already been 4,688 incidents of gun violence in the United States, resulting in 1,289 deaths and 2,270 injuries.

For the first time in eight years, the House of Representatives will hold a hearing on gun violence prevention legislation. On Wednesday at 10 AM you can watch as members debate a universal background bill that will close the gun show loophole. Call your Representative and tell him/her to co-sponsor the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R. 8).

2. Increase Awareness of Dating Abuse

February - Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month - is a good time to be reminded that one in three U.S. teens experiences physical, emotional or verbal abuse in a relationship. Awareness and open communication are essential to combat this violence and give children and young adults the safe environment they need to thrive. 

Join JWI's twitter chat on Wednesday, February 20th at 2:00 p.m. to say #ThankUNext to dating abuse using the hashtags #TDVAM and #ThankUNext! Sign up ahead of time and we'll send you the questions and a social media toolkit before the chat.

1. All People Deserve a Living Wage

Raising the federal minimum wage will dramatically improve economic security for all demographic groups but, in particular, women. With nearly two-thirds of minimum wage works identifying as female, a raise would close the gender gap, reduce the economic vulnerability that heightens the risk of workplace violence, and secure the economic future of millions of families. On Thursday you can watch the House Education and Labor Committee hearing on the Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582/S. 150) and then call your Senators and Representative to tell them to co-sponsor the bills!