12/06/21 - Missouri Mondays - Time to codify abortion rights! / Pass the Freedom to Vote Act!
+ 300+ pre-filed bills for MO Legislature 2022
Welcome to another Missouri Mondays! Thank you for staying informed and taking action! Together we make a difference!
THE FUTURE OF ROE v WADE AND ABORTION RIGHTS
“The future of abortion rights faced its most consequential test in nearly 30 years Wednesday when the Supreme Court convened to hear a high-stakes showdown taking aim at early five decades of precedent, with the conservative justices appearing inclined to let stand a Mississippi law at the heart of the case and pave the way for states to impose more stringent limits on abortion.
The Supreme Court heard nearly two hours of arguments in the legal battle involving the Mississippi law that prohibits abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, which directly conflicts with its past decisions on abortion. In the landmark 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade and reaffirmed in 1992's Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the high court said states cannot ban abortion before fetal viability — the point at which the fetus can survive outside of the womb, which is now considered to be between 22 and 24 weeks of pregnancy.
While members of the conservative wing of the bench signaled a willingness to allow states to curb abortion rights, the three liberal justices warned such a shift — occurring after the Supreme Court's conservative majority grew to 6-3 — would have negative consequences for the public's perception of the court.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted that in the years since Roe and Casey, 15 justices have reaffirmed the viability line, while four — two of whom currently sit on the court — disagree with the standard. She asked, "Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception, that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts? I don't see how it's possible."
“Justice Elena Kagan echoed Sotomayor's concerns, saying a major goal of adhering to precedent is to "to prevent people from thinking that this court is a political institution that will go back and forth depending on what part of the public yells loudest and preventing people from thinking that the court will go back and forth depending on changes to the court's membership."
“Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, who argued on behalf of the Justice Department in favor of the providers challenging the law, told the Supreme Court that if it sided with Mississippi in the case, it would represent an "unprecedented contraction of individual rights." "The court has never revoked a right that is so fundamental to so many Americans and so central to their ability to participate fully and equally in society," she said.” CBS News Dec 2 2021 https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/supreme-court-mississippi-abortion-case-oral-arguments-2021-12-01/
TIME TO CODIFY ABORTION RIGHTS WITH THE WOMEN’S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT!
“With the Supreme Court expected to uphold a restrictive Mississippi abortion law — and possibly overturn a landmark Roe v. Wade ruling — it’s time to codify abortion rights, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) says. “The best way to do it is not a patchwork of state laws, but to ...codify Roe v. Wade, put it into law.” and the Women’s Health Protection Act would do that, according to Sen. Klobuchar.
https://www.aol.com/time-codify-roe-v-wade-230011638.html
“Passage of the Women's Health Protection Act is a response to a Texas law that essentially bans abortion after six weeks, before most people realize they are pregnant. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to block the law from taking effect, although the decision leaves the door open for future challenges. The bill passed the House mainly along party lines, 218-211, with one Democrat voting with Republicans. The vote was largely symbolic as the bill is unlikely to advance in the Senate, where 10 Republicans and all Democrats would need to back the bill in order to meet the 60-vote threshold to beat a filibuster. The Senate version of the bill, sponsored by Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal, has 47 co-sponsors, although it's unlikely to garner the support of Pennsylvania Democrat Bob Casey, who has previously voted for abortion restrictions, and West Virginia moderate Joe Manchin.”
“The Women's Health Protection Act would protect a person's ability to decide to continue or end a pregnancy and would enshrine into law health care providers' ability to offer abortion services "prior to fetal viability" without restrictions imposed by individual states, like requiring special admitting privileges for providers or imposing waiting periods. It also would prohibit restrictions on abortion after fetal viability "when, in the good-faith medical judgment of the treating health care provider, continuation of the pregnancy would pose a risk to the pregnant patient's life or health." NPR Sept 24 2021 https://www.npr.org/2021/09/24/1038931908/house-democrats-abortion-rights-bill
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TELL SENATORS BLUNT AND HAWLEY TO PASS THE FREEDOM TO VOTE ACT
Call Missouri Senators Blunt and Hawley at 1-888-453-3211 and tell them to Pass the Freedom to Vote Act to Ensure Voting Rights!
This is a decisive moment for our nation and the time has never been more urgent to take action to protect voting rights. It’s time for our Senators to step up and fight to protect our fundamental rights and do whatever it takes to pass these critical bills!
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BOB DOLE, FORMER U.S. SENATOR FROM KS AND WWII VETERAN DIES AT AGE 98
“Former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole died in his sleep early Sunday morning, according to a tweet by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. He was 98. Dole, who served in the U.S. Senate from 1969 to 1996, previously announced he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.” “According to the Associated Press, during Dole's time in Congress, he served as the committee chairman, majority leader, minority leader, and ran for president three times — including his loss to Bill Clinton in 1996. In his U.S. Senate biography, Dole was described as a "tough negotiator who also excelled at forging bipartisan alliances to enact legislation. In 1977, Dole joined forces with Democrat George McGovern to bring changes to the federal food stamp program.”
KSHB Dec 5 2021 https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/former-longtime-kansas-sen-bob-dole-98-dies
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MISSOURI LAWMAKERS PREFILE MORE THAN 300 BILLS FOR UPCOMING 2022 SESSION
“Lawmakers have prefiled more than 300 bills to discuss in the upcoming 2022 legislative session. The bills reflect a wide array of interests and hit on some of the latest controversies brought on by social justice movements and the COVID-19 pandemic. A Branson lawmaker has filed one bill aimed at banning critical race theory in public schools. Another bill would prohibit employers from requiring their employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Kansas City-area lawmakers are among the many prefiling ahead of the session. Kansas City Rep. Richard Brown filed another that would allow local governments to enact ordinances that regulate firearms. Northland Rep. Chris Brown introduced one bill to change how the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is funded. The 2022 Missouri legislative session will start in about a month.” KSHB Dec 1 2021 https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/missouri-lawmakers-pre-file-more-than-300-bills-for-the-oncoming-session
View all prefiled Missouri House bills for 2022 session HERE: https://house.mo.gov/LegislationSP.aspx?focusedID=Bill%20List
View all prefiled Missouri Senate bills for 2022 session HERE: https://www.senate.mo.gov/22info/BTS_Web/BillList.aspx?SessionType=R
Find more information on Missouri Legislature 2022 prefiled bills at LegiScan https://legiscan.com/MO
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HELP KEVIN STRICKLAND RESTART HIS LIFE
On Tuesday, Nov 23 after more than four decades in prison for a crime he did not commit, a judge vacated Kevin Strickland’s 1978 conviction and he was finally freed. Despite the longest wrongful imprisonment in Missour history, Kevin Strickland will receive no compensation from the state of MIssouri. The Midwest Innocence Project is sponsoring a GoFundMe to help Kevin Strickland restart his life. Please consider making contribution HERE: https://gofund.me/9b5e5e8b
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UPCOMING EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDAR
TAKE ACTION WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Join the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition partners from all across the state to find out how you can help protect the right to vote!
Weekly MOVPC Meeting
Mon Dec 6
10 AM
Text MOVPC to 66866 or register HERE: https://wustl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYoceyuqTsqGN1NlXOMKb88rSExyr-kWjbt
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2021 MO Jobs with Justice Celebration (Virtual)
Wed, Dec 08 • 6:00-7:00 PM
Host Contact Info: info@mojwj.org
Buy tickets HERE: https://www.mojwj.org/featured/2021-end-of-year-celebration/
2021 marks another year that has tested us all, shown the power of solidarity, and proven that we all need a little more joy in our lives. You already know that we showed up on the picket lines, made calls, marched in the streets, met with our elected officials and more – because you are a big part of this movement!
Through this solidarity, we will keep showing up for each other, we will keep defeating the greedy few who want to divide us, and we’re going to safely (ie virtually) get together to reflect on the year, celebrate our wins, and maybe see if 2021 is the year we finally nail our justice-themed carols!
Please buy your tickets to the 2021 End of Year Celebration to help support the great work of MO Jobs with Justice and we’ll see you on Wed Dec 8 at 6:00 PM!
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Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice
“Limiting Access to the Trigger: Guns, Trauma and Suicide Prevention
Thurs Dec 9, 7:00 PM
Virtual Program
Registration is required; please register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnqsBkikmVt3-Aowsu1Lg2r5T0Hxo8RdCwC4FGa8-sYQ_aHg/viewform
Firearms accounted for 76% of homicides in the U.S. in 2020, according to a September 2021 FBI report—29% more than in 2019. And the number of children and teens killed by firearms has been on the rise in recent years, due in part to easy access to guns.
But hidden in all the news about firearms violence is a startling fact: nearly two-thirds of all gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides.
Recognizing the severity of this problem, the Biden Administration just announced steps to prevent suicide, including promoting safe gun storage. Studies have shown that reducing access to lethal means can save lives. To learn about efforts in St. Louis and Missouri to reduce gun violence through suicide prevention measures, including safe gun storage, please join us for this important program presenting two experts who will address these issues.
Speakers: Kristen Mueller, MD, assistant professor in Emergency Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Katie Ellison, MA, MS, NCC, project director for the Safer Homes Collaborative at the Missouri Institute of Mental Health at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis
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FIND MORE UPCOMING EVENTS HERE:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
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MISSOURI COVID UPDATE - Week Nov 28 - Dec 5
COVID-19 Vaccines
CDC now recommends that everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots (CDC updated Nov 19, 2021)
CDC has expanded recommendations for booster shots to now include all adults ages 18 years and older who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine as part of their primary series. Get more information and read CDC’s media statement on booster shots here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1119-booster-shots.html
CDC Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines HERE: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html
CDC COVID-19 booster information HERE: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
FIND COVID-19 Vaccines KC Metro - Statewide and COVID-19 Testing & Recovery Treatment (KC Metro) HERE https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i1vCikZiGfMulA8tFCDSJbEKV5N37S1JU_TSlgs699A/edit?usp=sharing
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Missourians Vaccinated - as of Sun Dec 5 The New York Times
60% of Missourians have received at least one dose - (71% at least one dose in the U.S.
51% of Missourians are fully vaccinated - (60% fully vaccinated in the U.S.)
Total COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in Missouri
751,678 confirmed cases and 12,619 deaths as of Sat Dec 4 MO Dept of Health and Senior Service
934,156 total cases and 15,570 deaths as of Sun Dec 5 The New York Times
THANK YOU! for answering the Missouri Mondays CALL TO ACTION!
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