[Nfbc-info] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] NFB Legislative Alert - March 20, 2018

[EverHairston]

Ever Lee Hairston, President
National Federation of the Blind of California
H: 323 654.2975
C: 323 252.9188
ever.hairston at gmail.com

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nations Blind. Every day we work together to help Blind people liv the lives we want.

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Pare, John via NFBNet-Members-List" <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: March 20, 2018 at 1:39:55 PM PDT
To: "nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org" <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] NFB Legislative Alert - March 20, 2018
Reply-To: "Pare, John" <JPare at nfb.org>

Dear Fellow Federationists:
 
This legislative alert provides an update on our legislative activity. Please read it carefully to determine which senators need to be contacted and which topics should be covered.
 
You might also want to consider meeting with your senator while they are back in the district. The next district work period is scheduled from March 23 through April 8.
 
The Marrakesh Implementation Act was introduced in the Senate on March 15 by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa. Other originating cosponsors included Senators Bob Corker (TN),  Dianne Feinstein (CA), Kamala Harris (CA), Orrin Hatch (UT), Patrick Leahy (VT), and Robert Menendez (NJ). If your senator is not on this list, please contact him or her and urge them to cosponsor S. 2559. The introduction of this bill is the direct result of your great advocacy and it is critical that we now work to build cosponsor support.
 
H.R. 620, the ADA Education and Reform Act, was passed in the House of Representatives on February 15 and is now waiting for possible Senate action. The National Federation of the Blind opposes this legislation. Senator Duckworth has organized a letter opposing H.R. 620 in the Senate. So far thirty-seven senators have signed on to this letter but we need forty-one signatures to have a substantial impact. We are currently concentrating our efforts on the following ten senators:
1. Maria Cantwell (WA)
2. Joe Donnelly (IN)
3. Martin Heinrich (NM)
4. Heidi Heitkamp (ND)
5. Joe Manchin (WV)
6. Doug Jones (AL)
7. Bill Nelson (FL)
8. Gary Peters (MI)
9.Tom Udall (NM)
10. Angus King (ME) 
 
These ten Senators should be contacted and urged to sign the Senator Duckworth letter regarding opposition to H.R. 620.
 
You can contact your senator by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question. The number is (202) 224-3121. If you email your senators, please copy me at JPare at nfb.org .
 
It is critical that we move on this quickly, so please strive to make your calls and send your emails as soon as possible.
 
I have also included a short sample ask that could be used for the items above:
 
“My name is [name] and I am a constituent of Senator [name]. I am calling to encourage the Senator to cosponsor the Marrakesh Implementation Act (S. 2559). The Marrakesh Implementation Act would expand reading options for millions of blind and other Americans with print disabilities. I also ask that the Senator sign Senator Duckworth’s letter opposing the ADA Education and Reform Act (H.R. 620). H.R. 620 has been sent to the Senate and, if passed, would significantly erode the ADA and set disability rights back thirty years.
 
Thank you for your support of blind Americans.
 
Sincerely,
[Your Name]”
 
Warm regards,
 
John
 
John G. Paré Jr.
Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy
(410) 659-9314, extension 2218 | Jpare at nfb.org
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