The recent Administration attacks on the U.S. Postal Service threaten the integrity of this year's election, by implementing harmful operational changes and blocking emergency funding. The U.S. Postal Service is essential to the functioning of our democracy. Congress must pass legislation to protect the services of USPS.

The House will vote this Saturday on the Delivering for America Act, which prohibits the USPS from implementing any changes to operations it had in place on January 1, 2020 and includes a $25 billion in funding for the Postal Service. Additionally, the bill would prevent the USPS from implementing any changes to level of service, closure or consolidation of any post office or reduction in hours, and would allow for overtime. 

Although Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced halting further operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service until after the election, he offered no commitment to undo the harmful effects of previous actions. Raising the costs on mailing ballots and slowing down mail service will harm voters' ability to safely engage in this year's election during the pandemic. Delivering mail-in ballots is an essential function of the post office and is a safe and secure method of voting. Congress must act now to protect the Postal Service.

We need your voice: Tell your Representative to provide support to the Postal Service.

​Negotiations between Congress and the White House for a fifth COVID-19 relief package failed to reach a compromise. Despite, the United States having surpassed over 160,000 deaths due to COVID-19 and a tremendous economic impact on vulnerable communities.

Right now, the Senate is in recess until September 7th. The Senate must immediately pass the COVID-19 relief package and ensure families are protected amidst this pandemic. We urge the Senate to secure these provisions approved by the House in its HEROES Act are included in the next COVID-19 relief package:

Ensure access to food: 

• Increase SNAP’s maximum benefit by 15 percent from June 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021
• An increase for all SNAP households averaging about $25 per person per month
• Raise the minimum SNAP benefit from $15 per month to $30.

Ensure immigrant-inclusion: 

• Access to free COVID-19 testing and treatment by uninsured people, regardless of their immigration status.
• Immigrant taxpayers receive stimulus checks from previous relief bills. 
• An extension of work permits and protection from deportation for immigrants

Ensure safe voting access: 

• Allocate $3.6 billion for protective equipment and supplies needed to manage the 2020 elections, and protect voters’ and poll workers’ health.

We need your voice: Tell the Senate to provide relief to families impacted by COVID-19.

Today, June 26th, is the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Muslim Ban 3.0. As a result, family members living abroad have been unable to reunite with their loved ones in the U.S. because of their religion and ethnicity. While there have been several iterations of the ban, Muslim Ban 3.0 targets individuals from Muslim majority countries including Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen and offers a sham waiver process, denying 98% of applicants. Congress must pass the NO BAN Act and #RepealTheBan!

We need your voice: Tell Congress to speak out against the Muslim Ban and to pass the NO BAN Act!

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW:

1. Sign our sponsored petition to send Congress a message to end Trump’s Muslim Ban and guarantee immigrants equal treatment under the law. Click here to sign the petition.
2.  Call Congress to pass the NO BAN act: Call your Representative (call 202-224-3121) now and urge them end the Muslim Ban.
   
   1. Sample Call Script: Hello, my name is ______ and I’m a constituent of Senator/Representative _____. I’m calling to ask you to oppose the latest expansion to the Muslim Travel Ban and to vote to pass the NO BAN Act. The Muslim Travel Ban does not represent American values and it violates our Constitution. This ban must not be tolerated as it harms the Muslim and faith community. I urge Senator/Representative _____ to speak against the Muslim Ban and repeal the ban by supporting the No Ban Act. Will the Senator/Representative do so?
3. Make a donation to help fight this discrimination: Become a donor so we can continue to increase Muslim American engagement on Capitol Hill. You can also make a bigger impact by sharing our donation page on your social media platform.
4. Stay updated: Click here for resources on the Muslim Ban, which includes guides of what countries are currently restricted, ban exemption and waivers for entry. 

Many families are facing economic hardships due to the impacts of COVID-19 and should not have the added stress of paying off their child’s school lunch debt. Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5) and Deb Haaland (D-NM-1) recently introduced H.R. 6430, the Suspend School Meal Debt Act. This bill will suspend collection of all student meal debt during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

School meal debt results in students going hungry, experiencing lunch shaming, and financial pressure on their families. This bill would suspend any late fees associated with unpaid meals, cancel the meal debt for families, and require the Department of Agriculture to reimburse each school food authority and local educational agency. Families deserve support during this time, and this bill will provide much-needed economic relief.

We urge members of Congress to co-sponsor the Suspend School Meal Debt Act and to include it in the next stimulus package. 

We need your voice: Tell Congress to support suspending school meal debt during COVID-19!

Check if your Representative is a co-sponsor of the bill. Call your Representative if they have not co-sponsored the bill (call 202-224-3121) and urge them to support the Suspend School Meal Debt Act. 

Sample Call Script:
Hello, my name is ______ and I’m a constituent of Representative _____. I’m calling to ask you to support the Suspend School Meal Act, recently introduced by Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Deb Haaland. Many families across the nation are facing economic hardships during the COVID-19 crisis and should not be burdened by the stress of paying off their child’s school lunch debt. Families deserve support during this time of crisis, not added economic burdens. I urge Representative _____ to support the passage of this bill. Will the Representative do so?

Let us know how your advocacy went and feel free to ask us any questions by emailing us at info@poligonnational.org.

Stay active,
Zayn Hasan, Legislative Fellow

The House of Representatives adjourned Friday, March 13th for their recess and from now until Sunday, March 22th, your members of Congress will be back in your home state. The Senate canceled its planned recess and will remain in session this week as Congress attempts to pass legislation to mitigate the coronavirus outbreak. It is a great opportunity to call or email your members of Congress directly to tell them about the issues that are most important to you!
​
Here’s how:
Who are your members of Congress?
Click here to find out who represents you, how to contact them, and where their in-district offices are located. Click here to find contact information on your Senate members.

Not sure what to talk about?
We've got you covered. Our policy briefs and action alerts on Islamophobia, bullying, and civil rights are great to look over and bring along to a meeting. You can also stay up to date on legislation going through Congress with our Hill Happenings newsletter.

Here are a few ideas for issues to address:
NO BAN Act: The House postponed the vote on the NO BAN Act, which was scheduled on March 12, due to the urgent coronavirus stimulus package. The bill will repeal the Muslim Ban and reunite families that have been separated by the ban. Urge your members of Congress to schedule a vote as soon as possible and support the bill. 

Coronavirus Package: The House voted to pass H.R.6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which aims to directly provide support for America’s families. The bill includes free coronavirus testing, enhanced unemployment insurance, increased federal funds for Medicaid, and strengthened food security initiatives. Urge your Senator to vote and pass this bill and aid families impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Democracy for All Amendment: Urge your House representative to support H.J.Res 2, which will overturn Supreme Court cases like Citizens United v. FEC and get big money out of politics. The legislation proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing Congress and the states to set limits on money spent by candidates to influence elections. 

Let us know at info@poligonnational.org how your visit goes, or make a post about your visit on social media. Be sure to tag @poligonnational on Twitter and Instagram!

Stay active,
The Poligon Team