The federal budget, the protection of civil rights, and the basic human dignity of those within our borders are not abstract political debates—they are direct reflections of our national priorities. Right now, several critical pieces of legislation and executive actions require immediate scrutiny and citizen intervention.

If we want a government that is accountable to its people rather than special interests, political allies, or the military-industrial complex, we must make our voices heard. Here are five urgent areas where you need to contact your senators and representatives today.

1. Rein in the Record-Breaking Pentagon Budget
The administration is currently asking Congress to approve a record-breaking $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget, marking the largest inflation-adjusted defense budget in American history. A significant portion of these funds is earmarked for the “golden dome” missile defense system and granting unprecedented access to American military technology.

Funding an escalatory and unnecessary war does not make Americans safer. Congress must exercise its power of the purse to prioritize domestic needs over endless military expansion.

2. Halt the $1.77 Billion “Anti-Weaponization” Fund
A proposed $1.77 billion compensation fund is being positioned to reward self-proclaimed victims of the previous administration. In reality, this fund serves a purely political agenda.

Taxpayer dollars should never be used as a political slush fund, especially when it stands to financially reward individuals who committed crimes during the January 6th Capitol riot or clear allies of political elites. This funding must be blocked entirely.

3. Restore Voting Safeguards with the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
A healthy democracy relies on free, fair, and accessible elections. Our legislators must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and expand the vital safeguards originally established by the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

With voting access increasingly under threat across various states, federal protections are necessary to ensure every eligible citizen can cast their ballot without facing administrative hurdles or discrimination.

4. Shut Down Inhumane ICE Detention Centers
Conditions inside immigration detention facilities have deteriorated to a level that has forced detainees onto hunger strikes. A prime example is Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed facility in Newark, New Jersey, which is operated by a private company under a $1 million government contract.

The crisis at Delaney Hall has drawn sharp opposition from local leaders:

  • New Jersey’s governor was denied entry to the facility and has demanded its closure.
  • Senator Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed alongside other demonstrators while protesting the conditions.
  • Following a visit on May 27, Senator Cory Booker publicly called the center a “moral stain on our community.”

“The majority of detainees have no criminal record, nor are they the violent offenders the government indicated they were going after.” — Senator Cory Booker

Private companies should not profit from human suffering. Congress must shut down Delaney Hall and any other facility failing to meet basic humanitarian standards.

5. Overturn Citizens United via H.J. Res. 54
Centering our political system back onto everyday citizens requires tackling the root cause of political corruption: dark money. You can push back by urging your representatives to support H.J. Res. 54.

This proposed constitutional amendment establishes that the rights protected and extended by the U.S. Constitution belong to natural persons only. Passing this amendment is the most direct path to dismantling the disastrous consequences of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, ensuring that corporations cannot buy political influence.

If you have any questions, contact SJ-ACT.