50 years ago this month, the Voting Rights Act was enacted, protecting millions of Americans against politically motivated attacks on their right to vote. Two years ago, the Supreme Court gutted many of these protections, claiming that voter discrimination was a thing of the past. Since then, opportunistic politicians have proven the Court wrong, rolling back key reforms and building new barriers to the ballot box with the intent -- and effect -- of keeping folks from voting. The government shouldn't get to pick and choose which citizens can vote -- we need to restore the Voting Rights Act's protections. Tell Congress to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act and make sure every American's voice is heard in our democracy.

President Obama has signed an executive order forbidding federal contractors from discriminating against LGBTQ Americans -- but there's no way to know if those same contractors are financially backing anti-LGBTQ candidates for office. A worker has the right to know if their employer is spending money to take away hard-won civil rights. Investors have a right to know how their money is being spent. And the American people deserve to know who is trying to influence our elections -- no matter what the purpose. President Obama can help make that happen with a stroke of his pen. Urge him to issue an executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose their spending today.

Former Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Jim Webb spoke clearly about the problem of money in politics this past Friday: "The challenge that we have right now in the current political environment, money dominates the process like it never has before... I don’t believe that super PACs are ethically supportable concepts." That's sound analysis, but words alone won't do any good. Senator Webb, and every other candidate for president, needs to put forward a comprehensive plan to restore our democracy, including public financing of elections, full disclosure of all campaign spending, and an end to Citizens United. Tell Senator Webb to commit to a concrete plan to get big money out of politics and put We The People back in charge!

When the Senate went on vacation earlier this month, it did so having confirmed only 5 new federal judges this year, even as over a dozen more wait for votes. That's far below the average for this late in the year, and on pace for a record low. The 14 nominees the Senate left languishing over its summer recess had all passed out of committee without controversy. But senators are blocking their confirmation votes to score political points -- leaving critical courts understaffed, and leaving many Americans in legal limbo. When senators return to Washington on September 8, they need to do their jobs and give the judicial nominees before them a fair up-or-down vote.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) lets Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Telecom and Big Tobacco craft new laws alongside state legislators, all behind closed doors. ALEC calls itself a charity, but in truth, it's a front for corporations to buy influence and push laws that benefit their private interests. And since the IRS takes ALEC's word for it, those corporations get to deduct their ALEC lobbying expenses from the taxes they owe! Lobbying for huge corporations isn't charity, and taxpayers shouldn't be forced to subsidize ALEC members' tax writeoffs. Tell the IRS to investigate ALEC today and hold its member corporations accountable for any back taxes they owe.

The U.S., Iran, and the international community have reached a historic agreement to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Republicans are trying to kill the agreement in Congress, doing the bidding of pro-war special interest groups. But Republicans can’t kill the agreement and put us on a path to war without Democratic help. If most Congressional Democrats stand with President Obama and diplomacy, diplomacy will win and the Republican warmongers will lose. Right now, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is the only Senate Democrat listed by the Washington Post as “leaning no” on the Iran deal. [1] Wyden has been bad on this issue in the past and good on this issue in the past. In early 2013, Wyden was an original co-sponsor of the AIPAC-Graham "Back Door to War" bill that said that the U.S. should support any Israeli military attack on Iran. [2] But in December 2013, Wyden signed the letter of 10 Democratic committee chairs against the AIPAC-Menendez push for new sanctions that would have undermined the talks with Iran. [3] The fact that Wyden has been bad on Iran diplomacy in the past and good in the past, and that he is “leaning no” now on the Iran deal but not opposed, suggests that strong engagement now by people in Oregon can bring Wyden back to the side of good. Urge Wyden to support the deal by signing and sharing our petition. References: 1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/07/14/whip-count-where-the-senate-stands-on-the-iran-deal/ 2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/back-door-to-war-iran-bill_b_2802737.html 3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/19/iran-sanctions_n_4475204.html

My Son, Ravi Thackurdeen, died a 100% preventable death on study abroad. Since Ravi's death, via the Internet, I have learned of many other study abroad deaths, and have met their bereaved families: Thomas Plotkin, Elizabeth Brenner's son; Zoe Damon, Noelle Damon's daughter; Joshua Shane, Mindy Shane's son; Aron Sobel, Rochelle Sobel's son. I have also met families and students scarred for life, father O. Munn's daughter' Cara, students R. Richardson, R. Paneno, R. DeMello. Drownings, falls, fires, inadequately treated illnesses, motor vehicle accidents, murder, drugging, kidnapping and more--these are the ways our students can die during study abroad. One or two days of news coverage, and these students "disappear." No one knows how many students have died on study abroad because no one counts the dead and injured. Study Abroad is an unregulated industry, which is increasingly a higher education requirement for which schools may receive federal funds. Yet, these same schools do not share safety information from prior programs. Bereaved families understand the importance of comprehensive and transparent safety data from the study abroad industry. We are coming together in support of "The Ravi Thackurdeen Safe Students Study Abroad Act." We believe that, with comprehensive and transparent safety information, students and parents can make truly informed educational decisions. We also believe that knowledge of previous deaths and injuries is the foundation of fatality prevention. With this information, academic researchers can determine patterns, and thus achieve a science-based approach to structuring safer programs. My Family and I Support H.R. 3551 The Safe Student Student Abroad Act!

With our 130 miles of coastline, sea-level rise and more frequent and intense storms put New Jersey communities and our economy at a huge risk. There are countless actions our state can take to address these problems – but Gov. Chris Christie refuses to implement policies that will take on climate change. We’re done waiting for Christie to step up. We're mobilizing town-by-town to get local leaders to put efficient, common sense solutions in place that will protect families and businesses from climate change. We can make huge progress by working at the local level if we can show mayors and city council members that their constituents want action. Add your name now to sign our petition calling on community leaders to help stop sea level rise and severe storms.

I lived through what had been the largest wildfire in Washington State's history in 2014, and this year we've exceeded that acreage. I'm involved in reporting these events and see it all over the west, and also see the effectiveness of timely air response.

Prayer before games is a tradition in many team sports, especially in the South. This begins as young as Little League and continues to college level. The FFRF has attacked high schools and is now attacking college chaplains who lead teams in prayer before games. Students and coaches do not now and have never been forced to participate in prayer. Non-believers can simply choose to not bow their head until the end of prayer. Please sign this petition to support the cause to KEEP prayer at our campuses and our football games.

Hello, My name is Shannon Guy, This petition is created to help Sojourner Douglass College to gain their accreditation back and re-open for student enrollment. This college has touched many lives, especially the lives of students in the urban communities for over 40 years. With your signature, we can work towards keeping another predominately Black College open. This college has touched many lives including mine and their Scholarship program has helped many students that live in the low-income communities. The structure of their degree plans, schedules, and locations were very convenient for working adults. And if there was a problem with child care, Sojourner Douglass College offered those services as well, eliminating barriers to education. The staff was very pleasent and informal, and I am praying that we all will have the chance to meet them again. Please sign this petition helping us obtain our accreditation back. I say "us" because Sojourner Douglass wasn't just a college to me, it was home. They played a special role in my community which made me feel a part of their family. Please everyone, let's keep the legacy going! We need education; we need Sojourner Douglass College! Thank you for all your support. Your signature will touch many lives. Thank you.

The California desert is one of the most unique and pristine places in the country. Americans and visitors the world over have long been drawn to its stark beauty, painted mountains, iconic Route 66, fascinating wildlife, Native American petroglyphs, inspirational vistas, and storied history. These lands feature unparalleled scenery, making tourism and recreation an essential part of the region’s economy, and providing critical habitat for a healthy desert ecosystem. Yet, the desert we love is being squeezed by two of the fastest growing regions in the nation. If we do not act quickly, sensitive water resources, popular recreation, and historic sites could be lost forever. We have a unique opportunity to honor decades of cooperation, outreach, and commitments to support and protect the California desert for current and future generations. These lands deserve designations that recognize their scenic, ecological, cultural, and economic importance. Please act now and designate Mojave Trails, Sand to Snow, and Castle Mountains National Monuments.