Gun violence prevention, VOCA funding, and ending the Title X gag rule: Your civic action to-do list for 4-19-21
3. 100 Americans are killed with guns every day. At least 147 mass shootings have taken place in 2021. The time is now to put a stop to the gun violence epidemic.
In a nutshell: President Biden announced his initial set of executive actions to address gun violence last week. The House of Representatives passed life-saving gun reforms last month. The Senate must step up immediately and pass bills to address this public health crisis.
Take action: Call on your elected officials to take action by joining gun reform advocates from across the country on social media via #TheTimeIsNow.
2. Funding for services to support survivors of child abuse, trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) has been slashed by two-thirds over the last four years.
In a nutshell: The House of Representatives passed the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021, and we need the Senate to pass a companion bill to prevent further VOCA funding cuts.
Take action: It just takes one click to tell your senators to co-sponsor S. 611 to protect victim services!
1. The Department of Health and Human Services just released proposed regulations to reverse the Title X gag rule, which has undermined access to reproductive health care nationwide.
In a nutshell: Title X is the only federal program dedicated to providing affordable reproductive care. The gag rule has forced hundreds of health centers committed to providing comprehensive care out of the program, leaving more than 1.5 million people without access to Title X-funded services. Six states now have no Title X-funded care at all.
Take action: Sign up here for a Q&A with JWI's advocacy team to learn more about Title X and how to write a public comment in response to this new proposed regulation.
