We're back with this week's list of top actions, ready for you to sign and share. This is a busy time for lawmakers, as new bills and budgets are being proposed and voted on at the federal and state levels. We must remain vigilant and speak out about the proposals that help families and our economy, and stop those that don't. Scroll down to find some top actions around Equal Pay, taxes, background checks, and more. Be sure to sign and share, too. Thank you!  =>

1. Tell the U.S. Senate: PASS the Paycheck Fairness Act!

BACKGROUND: Amazing news! The U.S. House of Representatives just passed the Paycheck Fairness Act and now we’re charging full speed ahead toward the U.S. Senate with our campaign for equal pay! Why do we need the Paycheck Fairness Act? Because right now, women of color and moms still earn far too little compared to white men and dads. Moms are typically paid just 69 cents for every dollar paid to dads, while Latinas are paid 53 cents, Native American women 58 cents, Black women 61 cents, and Asian women 85 cents for every dollar paid to white men. Moms of color experience double wage hits. Overall, women make 80 cents on the dollar. The Paycheck Fairness Act will help close the gender wage gap, in part by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act. Tell your U.S. Senators to co-sponsor and advance the Paycheck Fairness Act.

2. Tell your U.S. Representative to pass the 2019 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act: Call 1.855.408.2357 to be connected

BACKGROUND: Next week Congress votes on the 2019 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1585). VAWA 2019 strengthens protections for victims of domestic violence, including: providing resources to implement evidence-based prevention programming; providing a mechanism to hold predators who prey on Native women accountable; providing law enforcement with new tools to protect their communities; offering protections for survivors in federal public, subsidized, and assisted housing; supporting victims and survivors who need assistance rebuilding financially; and improving the healthcare response. If your U.S. Rep is already a co-sponsor (check here: https://moms.ly/2WrptEa), call now to say thank you. If not, call and urge them to co-sponsor or vote YES on H.R. 1585! #VAWA #Women

3. Share your #TrumpTaxScam story with MomsRising!

BACKGROUND: We want to hear from you! Tell us how your family is being impacted by the Trump Tax Plan (aka the Trump Tax Scam)! Tax Day is only a few weeks away (April 15th) but already we have been hearing from a lot of you about how you have been surprised by your tax returns this year--the first year the so-called Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (aka Tax Scam!) has gone into full effect. We want to share your stories and thoughts with elected leaders, as well as other parents and concerned voters using #TaxScamStories. Members of Congress have been reaching out asking for how moms, dads, and concerned people are being impacted by the tax scam---now's your chance to share your story. (You can do it anonymously if you want!). Tell us if you've had any surprises in your tax returns this year, how the Trump Tax Scam is impacting you and your family, and your thoughts on what tax policies you would like to see instead. Thank you for your willingness to share your experiences with MomsRising!

4. Urge the U.S. Senate to Vote on Universal Background Checks on Gun Sales! 

BACKGROUND: The U.S. House has passed universal background checks on gun sales. Now it's the Senate's turn. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell won't bring the bill to a floor vote unless he is forced to. Tell your U.S. Senators to co-sponsor the universal background checks bill in the Senate (S. 42) -- the more co-sponsors, the more pressure on Senator McConnell to bring the bill to a floor vote. With public support for universal background checks as high as 97% in recent polls, every member of Congress should be supporting this commonsense measure to reduce gun violence! Sign now to tell your U.S. Senators to co-sponsor the universal background checks bill in the Senate (S. 42) -- the more co-sponsors, the more pressure on Senate McConnell to bring the bill to a floor vote.

5. Say NO to the Trump Budget!

BACKGROUND: President Trump released his FY2020 budget this month and no surprises here— he slashed funding for programs that boost our families and kids in order to pay for his wasteful wall and tax cuts to the 1% and Wall Street. The U.S. Congress needs to know we’re paying attention to how they’re using our hard earned tax dollars. ***SIGN OUR LETTER to Congress and tell them to reject the Trump Budget and instead make investments that support our families and create a brighter future for our children!

BONUS:

Equal Pay Day – April 2nd – is right around the corner and marks how far into 2019 women have to work to earn what white men were paid in 2018 alone. Women overall make just 80 cents for every dollar paid to white men and women of color and moms experience wage hits on top of that. Help us mark the day and spread awareness:

• Pick up your custom coffee sleeve with lots of good info about the wage gap at a participating coffee shop. Find locations here.
• Spread awareness about the wage gap on social media by sharing one of these great images below. Follow @MomsRising on all platforms for lots of additional content on April 2, and join us for a #EqualPayDay tweet storm at 2pm ET too!

Thank you for all you do,