Tell Congress Federal Immigration Enforcement Has Gone Too Far
Communities across the country have lived in terror as federal immigration enforcement agents have patrolled, surveilled, detained, disappeared, injured, and killed civilians, as well as denied people’s constitutional rights by attacking and arresting peaceful protestors. Yet Congress — our elected officials — has played a pivotal role in funding and enabling this government-manufactured crisis, and they must act to stop these attacks.
Speak up now.
Tell Congress the Census Must Count All People
Last year, the House and Senate introduced the Equal Representation Act (H.R.151 and S.2205) to add a citizenship question to the 2030 Census and exclude noncitizens from the apportionment process, which determines the number of members each US state sends to the House of Representatives.
Tell your Members of Congress the Census must count all people!
Unite and Rise to Defend Democracy
Unite & Rise 8.5 aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions of this administration. Together, we'll take action from the courts to the streets and beyond.
Commit to the movement.
January 31st Legislative Update (Recording: https://catstv.net/m.php?q=15463)
Senator Shelli Yoder and Representative Matt Pierce participated in the Legislative Update moderated by Christopher Emge, Senior Director of Government & Community Relations Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. Approximately 60 constituents attended.
Some bills discussed include:
· HB1001 Housing Matters Housing Affordability. Proponents say deregulation will lower housing costs. Opponents raise concerns about the lack of requirements connecting deregulation to lowering costs, concerns remain as to how the quality of housing may be impacted.
· HB 1002 Electric Utility Affordability Proponents say provisions will help reduce cost. Amendments failed that would exempt residential utility bills from sales tax and eliminate the existing sales tax exemption for data centers.
· HB1003 Boards and commissions Proponents say it could improve efficiency, reduce redundancy, and remove inactive boards. Concerns include possible reduction in opportunity for public input, e.g., if the Natural Resources commission, previously charged with ensuring public comment, is eliminated.
· HB 1004 Various education matters Focuses on deregulation but threatens to further reduce teacher voices in proposed changes such as allowing increase in number of hours teachers must work.
· SB1 Human Services Matters works toward alignment with the federal reconciliation bill. However, the bill increases obstacles for eligibility and coverage of Medicaid and SNAP nutrition benefits. Proponents claim fraud will be reduced, but data is absent. Opponents say the obstacles will remove people, appearing to reduce cost to the state, though costs may just be absorbed elsewhere. (Link to letter campaign Oppose SB1 changes to Medicaid and SNAP)
· SB2 Bail procedures Proposes to change the Indiana constitution expanding when judges can deny bail beyond current crimes of murder and treason. SB3 Ballot language for constitutional amendment: if passed, it will be on Hoosiers’ ballot this fall. Opponents say the broad language could result in someone charged with a misdemeanor to be denied bail. The language isn’t clear to facilitate voters making a clear choice.
· SB182 Gender issues Establishes legal definitions for "male" and "female" based on biological sex at birth. Adds specific rules such as requiring state documentation to reflect gender assigned at birth. Proponents say it protects private spaces, such as bathrooms. Opponents say it undermines parental rights to take children to a restroom and is a discriminatory anti-LGBTQ bill that may violate federal law. (Link to letter campaign Oppose SB 182 Gender Issues)
· SB 236 Abortion inducing drugs and reports Amendments removed the reporting aspects that opponents feared jeopardized right to privacy. Proponents want to allow Hoosiers to bring legal action to stop use of medical abortions to protect unborn. Opponents say it creates a lawsuit-driven enforcement scheme inviting surveillance, intimidation, and legal harassment further entangling Hoosiers’ private medical decisions in the court system. (Link to letter campaign Oppose SB 236 Abortion inducing drugs and abortion reports)
Your voice matters
Please call or email your legislators to support or oppose legislation. Click to find your legislators.
See LWVIN Letter Campaigns-to support or oppose specific legislation (please note, this list is not comprehensive). The Letter Campaign includes bills for Natural Resources, Education, Women’s Health/Reproductive Rights, Voters Rights, Immigration, Proposed Military Police Force in Indiana and more. See 2026 bill details: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills
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Contact Senators and/or Representatives to request information on their current views on legislation or to express your views.