Bipartisan $1 Billion Bills for Civics - Thank You and We Need More Support!
On September 17th, Constitution Day, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan HR 8295, the "Educating for Democracy Act" of 2020, a measure to direct funding to states and local education agencies to support civic and history Education. Congresswoman DeLauro is the Chair of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and Congressman Cole is the Ranking Member of that Subcommittee.
Thank you to the over 80 organizations that already endorsed this bipartisan legislation! This bill is the first proposed investment in civic education that is commensurate with the critical need to protect the health of our constitutional democracy. We thank Congresswoman DeLauro and Congressman Cole for their leadership in introducing this bill which would make a critical investment in, and significantly strengthen, civic education in our nation. As a Coalition, we are committed to making high quality, equitable civic learning accessible to all, and this legislation is an important step in that direction.
Click here to read the full bill summary
We need you to spread the word about the ‘Educating for Democracy Act.” Please contact your Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives to ask that they co-sponsor the bill. Use our template script to assist in your outreach.
To reach your U.S. Representative:
• Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121, ask for your House member, once connected to their office, ask to speak to whomever handles education issues for the Congressperson (you may have to leave a voicemail). Ask that staffer to ask the Member to co-sponsor HR 8295, the ‘Educating for Democracy Act,’ introduced by Representatives DeLauro and Cole, that would dramatically improve civic and history. Offer to send the staff member the summary of the bill and the “Dear Colleague” letter.
• Email or write to your U.S. Representative by visiting www.house.gov, and entering your zip code in the box in the upper right hand corner. From there, you can go to the member’s website, where you will find their mailing address, phone number, and a feature for constituents to make requests or send comments to the House member. Please send all communications to their Washington, DC office, not their district offices.
Then, send a communication to your networks, staff, Board, participating teachers, supporters, and others to ask that they reach out to their U.S. House members to request co-sponsorship of the bill. Use this communication to craft your message to your network, including the bill summary and the “Dear Colleague” letter sent to all members of Congress by Representatives DeLauro and Cole.
Thank you to those organizations that have already spread the word!
Please note: We are not contacting U.S. Senators about the legislation at this time.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Ted McConnell, CivXNow Sr. Policy Advisor at civicsted@gmail.com.
On September 17th, Constitution Day, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan HR 8295, the "Educating for Democracy Act" of 2020, a measure to direct funding to states and local education agencies to support civic and history Education. Congresswoman DeLauro is the Chair of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, and Congressman Cole is the Ranking Member of that Subcommittee.
Thank you to the over 80 organizations that already endorsed this bipartisan legislation! This bill is the first proposed investment in civic education that is commensurate with the critical need to protect the health of our constitutional democracy. We thank Congresswoman DeLauro and Congressman Cole for their leadership in introducing this bill which would make a critical investment in, and significantly strengthen, civic education in our nation. As a Coalition, we are committed to making high quality, equitable civic learning accessible to all, and this legislation is an important step in that direction.
Click here to read the full bill summary
We need you to spread the word about the ‘Educating for Democracy Act.” Please contact your Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives to ask that they co-sponsor the bill. Use our template script to assist in your outreach.
To reach your U.S. Representative:
• Call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121, ask for your House member, once connected to their office, ask to speak to whomever handles education issues for the Congressperson (you may have to leave a voicemail). Ask that staffer to ask the Member to co-sponsor HR 8295, the ‘Educating for Democracy Act,’ introduced by Representatives DeLauro and Cole, that would dramatically improve civic and history. Offer to send the staff member the summary of the bill and the “Dear Colleague” letter.
• Email or write to your U.S. Representative by visiting www.house.gov, and entering your zip code in the box in the upper right hand corner. From there, you can go to the member’s website, where you will find their mailing address, phone number, and a feature for constituents to make requests or send comments to the House member. Please send all communications to their Washington, DC office, not their district offices.
Then, send a communication to your networks, staff, Board, participating teachers, supporters, and others to ask that they reach out to their U.S. House members to request co-sponsorship of the bill. Use this communication to craft your message to your network, including the bill summary and the “Dear Colleague” letter sent to all members of Congress by Representatives DeLauro and Cole.
Thank you to those organizations that have already spread the word!
Please note: We are not contacting U.S. Senators about the legislation at this time.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Ted McConnell, CivXNow Sr. Policy Advisor at civicsted@gmail.com.
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************** Read the AHA Statement below**************
