MAKING “GOOD TROUBLE” ON THE STREETS AND IN CONGRESS
QUICK READ: On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Americans all over the country will participate in the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action—responding to Trump’s attacks on our civil and human rights, by making “Good Trouble” carrying on John Lewis’ fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all. What better time for our Members of Congress to push 5 pieces of legislation protecting our ability to freely choose our leaders.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Thursday, July 17, is the fifth anniversary of the death of John Lewis, a civil rights icon who devoted his life to ensuring and protecting everyone’s right to vote.
Voting is democracy’s core principle—how we make our voices heard and hold our elected officials accountable. When everyone, regardless of race or background, has the freedom to vote, its exercise ensures our government’s working for us.
Unfortunately, Trump and the MAGA Congress are trying to take away this freedom, cracking down on civil rights, ignoring the Constitution, eliminating programs working people need, orchestrating a massive upward transfer of wealth, and making it impossible for federal agencies to protect us.
On Thursday, Americans all over the country will participate in the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action—responding to Trump’s attacks on our civil and human rights, by making “Good Trouble” carrying on John Lewis’ fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all.
What better time for our Members of Congress to push legislation protecting our ability to freely choose our leaders:
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR.14) expands access to the ballot box and strengthens the government’s ability to respond to voting discrimination;
Washington, D.C., Admissions Act makes it the 51st state (HR.51/S.51);
Defending America’s Future Elections Act (S.1240) repeals Trump’s “election integrity” executive order and precludes DOGE access to federal election databases or records;
Freedom to Vote Act expands voter registration and voting access and strengthens election security;
Native American Voting Rights Act removes long-standing barriers to voting.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
While your constituents are taking to the streets for the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action to honor John Lewis’ legacy and protest the Trump administration’s attacks on our civil and human rights, you can honor his legacy and show solidarity with us by loudly and publicly supporting voting rights legislation that would make him proud. Thank you for co-sponsoring the DC Statehood bill and Defending America’s Future Elections Act. Please also introduce and co-sponsor the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Native American Voting Rights Act.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
While your constituents are taking to the streets for the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action to honor John Lewis’ legacy and protest the Trump administration’s attacks on our civil and human rights, you can honor his legacy and show solidarity with us by loudly and publicly supporting voting rights legislation that would make him proud. Thank you for co-sponsoring the DC Statehood bill and Defending America’s Future Elections Act. Please also introduce and co-sponsor the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Native American Voting Rights Act.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Since voting is the bedrock of our constitutional democracy, you owe it to your constituents to make voting as easy and widely available as possible by supporting the bills being introduced by your Democratic colleagues. I will be closely following your voting record.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
While your constituents are taking to the streets for the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action to honor John Lewis’ legacy and protest the Trump administrations attacks on our civil and human rights, you can honor his legacy and show solidarity with us by loudly and publicly supporting voting rights legislation that would make him proud. Thank you for co-sponsoring the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Please sign on as a co-sponsor of the D.C. Statehood bill and introduce and co-sponsor the Defending America’s Future Elections Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Native American Voting Rights Act.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Since voting is the bedrock of our constitutional democracy, you owe it to your constituents to make voting as easy and widely available as possible by supporting the bills being introduced by your Democratic colleagues. I will be closely following your voting record.
Script for Maxine Dexter (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
While your constituents are taking to the streets for the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action to honor John Lewis’ legacy and protest the Trump administrations attacks on our civil and human rights, you can honor his legacy and show solidarity with us by loudly and publicly supporting voting rights legislation that would make him proud. Thank you for co-sponsoring the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Please sign on as a co-sponsor of the D.C. Statehood bill and introduce and co-sponsor the Defending America’s Future Elections Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Native American Voting Rights Act.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
While your constituents are taking to the streets for the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action to honor John Lewis’ legacy and protest the Trump administrations attacks on our civil and human rights, you can honor his legacy and show solidarity with your constituents by loudly and publicly supporting voting rights legislation that would make him proud. Thank you for co-sponsoring the DC Statehood bill and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Please also introduce and co-sponsor the Defending America’s Future Elections Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Native American Voting Rights Act.
Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
While your constituents are taking to the streets for the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action to honor John Lewis’ legacy and protest the Trump administrations attacks on our civil and human rights, you can honor his legacy and show solidarity with us by loudly and publicly supporting voting rights legislation that would make him proud. Thank you for co-sponsoring the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Please sign on as a co-sponsor of the D.C. Statehood bill and introduce and co-sponsor the Defending America’s Future Elections Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Native American Voting Rights Act.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
While your constituents are taking to the streets for the Good Trouble Lives On National Day of Action to honor John Lewis’ legacy and protest the Trump administrations attacks on our civil and human rights, you can honor his legacy and show solidarity with us by loudly and publicly supporting voting rights legislation that would make him proud. Thank you for co-sponsoring the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Please sign on as a co-sponsor of the D.C. Statehood bill and introduce and co-sponsor the Defending America’s Future Elections Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and the Native American Voting Rights Act.
FURTHER READING
Find a Good Trouble Lives On event here.
How the Federal Government Is Undermining Election Security
Project 2025: What’s At Stake for Voting Rights
Pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
Pass the Freedom to Vote Act: How Elections would Look Different This Year and in the Future
The federal Voting Rights Act was gutted. States now want their own versions.
