Welcome to week 20. Let’s get to work! Here are the top trending campaigns over the past seven days:
DOJ: Investigate Clarence Thomas
The revelations regarding Justice Thomas have become cartoonish as the Washington Post uncovered how a judicial activist funneled money to Ginni Thomas. Ginni is not only the wife of Clarence Thomas, but she was the head of a conservative nonprofit arguing for removing limits on corporate spending in politics when Citizens United vs. FEC was decided, effectively doing this very thing. Justice Thomas didn’t recuse himself, instead casting a key vote in the 5-4 decision. This campaign is closing in on 1,000 signers, or 4,000 deliveries to members of Congress and the President. Keep the pressure on.
Ohio: No on HJR 1 and SJR 2
Twin bills in the Ohio Legislature would increase the threshold for adopting citizen-led initiatives by the legislature to a 60% supermajority. This in itself is anti-democratic, but in Ohio this comes after the current legislature was seated according to maps rejected multiple times for being unconstitutional gerrymanders. The GOP ran out the clock and used the maps anyway in 2020. Ohio has a fairly even partisan split among its voters, but the maps give Republicans supermajorities in both state chambers and their Congressional delegation. Ohio citizens have been protesting in Columbus. Do what you can to be heard on this one if you live in Ohio, or forward this to friends and family who do. Similar legislation failed today in Missouri.
Pass the Supreme Court Ethics Act
Justice Thomas isn’t the only one with problems on our nation’s highest court. New revelations have come to light about the rushed confirmation process for Justice Kavanaugh, who was confirmed with 83 ethics complaints. Justice Barrett received millions of dollars in support of her confirmation from a group with business before the court—of which she failed to recuse herself from. Chief Justice Roberts’ wife earned millions recruiting lawyers for firms that argue cases in front of the Court—Roberts of course heard cases from the lawyers she recruited. Justice Gorsuch sold a house for $1.825 million to the head of a law firm with at least 22 cases before the Court. This is all fine if you’re on the Supreme Court, which lacks a code of conduct.
Others gaining steam: Enact Assault Weapons Ban & Ethan’s Law, Support Equal Rights for Women (WHPA, EACH, ERA), Tax Private Jet Usage, Pass a Clean Debt Ceiling Bill, Vote No on KOSA
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