CALL OUR REPRESENTATIVES -
Topics for the week of Sept. 28th, 2026:
US Senate and House
Please take the time this week to call Senators Bernie Moreno, Jon Husted, and Representative Troy Balderson
Senator Bernie Moreno. 202-224-2315, 614-469-2083- Columbus, OH
Senator Jon Husted, 202-224-3353, 614-369-4925 - Columbus, OH
Representative Troy Balderson. 202-225-5355, 614-523-2555 - Pickerington, OH
We have 3 federal topics this week.
END THE WAR WITH IRAN, SUPPORT THE IMPEACHMENT OF PETE HEGSETH
Recently, Senator Morena said “At the end of the day, we all want this to end, gas prices are way too high, diesel prices are way too high, and Americans deserve the relief, to get us back to where we were before the conflict started, which is historically low fuel prices.”
And Senator Husted said “The war needs to come to an end as quickly as possible so that we can lower gas prices.”
And then, on September 24th, they both voted against a resolution to exercise their constitutional duties and end the war.
On September 15th, Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The articles are for high crimes and misdemeanors, including the war in Iran, the Trump administration’s boat strikes in the Caribbean and Hegseth’s alleged suppression of free speech in his fight with Democrats over their calls for troops to refuse illegal orders.
Since the start of Trump’s war with Iran, 18 U.S. service members have died, more than 750 have been wounded, and thousands of civilians have been killed or wounded in the region.
Beyond the sacrifice of American lives, American households have faced higher costs.
Six months in, global oil prices are over $100 per barrel, the average price for a gallon of gas nationwide is over $4, and diesel fuel is over $6 per gallon. A Brown University energy cost tracker estimates that the average American has spent nearly $700 more in fuel prices since the war began. And that does not take into account higher food prices due to skyrocketing fuel and fertilizer costs.
Trump has requested nearly $88 billion in emergency supplemental funding for his war, which would further increase the record $40 trillion national debt.
Congress must not continue to allow Trump to start and exploit devastating geopolitical conflicts for his own benefit. Call your representatives and tell them to assert their constitutional authority over this unjustified and unnecessary war of choice.
Script (for Senator Husted and Senator Moreno)
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [YOUR CITY].
I'm calling to urge [Senator Husted, Senator Moreno] to enforce the bipartisan War Powers Resolution. It has been over 6 months since Trump started this unnecessary war, and despite him declaring “mission accomplished” we are in a much worse position than before with no plan for an end to the conflict.
You have said fuel prices are too high and that this conflict should end. You had an opportunity on September 24th to use your constitutional authority to help bring an end to this war. And you voted not to. A puzzling decision for sure.
Congress must oppose any further military action and hold hearings on the Trump administration's justification for this war. Stop collaborating with this corrupt and lawless administration!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied
FOR BALDERSON ONLY - I also urge Representative Balderson to help end this war with Iran by supporting the impeachment of Secretary of State Peter Brian Hegseth. Mr. Hegseth is clearly unqualified for his current position, putting our service members and our country’s security at risk.
Congress must oppose any further military action and hold hearings on the Trump administration's justification for this war. Stop collaborating with this corrupt and lawless administration!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied
FIGHT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ELECTION INTERFERENCE
In an attempt to exert control over our elections, Trump has called on Republicans to “nationalize the voting." While the federal government lacks the legal authority to do so, the Trump administration has continued to perpetuate misinformation about the 2020 and 2024 elections, and they have taken extraordinary steps to interfere with states’ authority over their election systems and voter data.
To comply with Trump’s illegal executive order, the United States Postal Service has created a scheme to require state election officials to turn over lists of mail-in voters' names and addresses and have certain barcodes on their mail ballot envelopes. USPS says it would not deliver ballots to voters for election officials that don't meet those requirements.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has threatened to withhold some counterterrorism funding from states unless they agree to impose the voting restrictions that Trump and his allies want before the November elections.
The FBI conducted a raid at the election headquarters of Fulton County, Georgia, and seized records from the 2020 election, including ballots, voter rolls, and digital data.
The Trump administration has unsuccessfully sued more than 20 states for refusing to hand over their voter files; the DOJ has demanded access to states’ voter rolls, 2020 and 2024 election records, and other sensitive election data that federal law prevents the DOJ from accessing first-hand.
Trump signed an executive order to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote; federal courts have struck parts of this order, finding that the executive branch lacks this authority.
The Trump administration has implemented “a searchable national citizenship data system” to ensure that only American citizens are voting, yet the secrecy surrounding the creation of the database is leading many to suspect it could inaccurately disenfranchise eligible voters. Election officials have also raised concerns about the federal government collecting and storing this private data and what the data could be used for.
This administration’s continual attempts to chip away at voters’ rights and take control of our independent election systems are an existential threat to our democracy. Demand your representatives in Congress forcefully condemn this unconstitutional interference.
Script
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from Newark.
I’m calling to express my concerns about the Trump administration’s ongoing interference with our election systems. I ask that [Senator Husted, Senator Moreno, Representative Balderson] defend the integrity of our elections and stand up for our Constitution by publicly condemning the DOJ’s unlawful seizure of state voter records and Trump’s unconstitutional calls to nationalize the election.
[Use the above bulleted information for additional talking points as needed.]
Thank you for your time and consideration.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied
SUPPORT TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS (TPS) EXTENSION FOR HAITIANS
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has begun targeting and detaining Haitians in Springfield, Ohio after President Donald Trump revoked their legal status, with at least 56 currently detained.
This is happening after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled at the end of June that President Donald Trump could end temporary protected status for the 330,000 Haitians who’ve fled the violence in their home country. Legal protected status officially ended for Haitians on July 27.
On September 11th, hundreds of clergy members signed a letter asking Governor DeWine and Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno to take whatever action they can to help the tens of thousands of Haitians in Ohio, most in Springfield and Columbus.
On June 17th, SB 4814, a bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Judiciary committee. In April the House passed H.R. 1689 to extend TPS protection for Haitian migrants through 2029. Ten Republicans joined Democrats to support the measure. The bill has been sitting with the Senate since then.
Haitians were first granted TPS in 2010 due to an earthquake that killed more than 300,000 and displaced 1.5 million more, and the protections have been extended multiple times due to continued dangerous conditions in their home country. Despite what the administration claims, it is still too dangerous for these folks to return to Haiti.
Haitians contribute to our communities, pay taxes, and work in important job sectors such as healthcare, yet they’ve been unfairly demonized by the Trump administration, including in 2024 when JD Vance and Donald Trump repeatedly spread lies that Haitians ate pets even after the story was proven to be false.
Call your representatives to support H.R. 1689 to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians until it is safe, and to support SB 4814 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status.
Script (for Senator Husted and Senator Moreno)
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [YOUR CITY].
I'm calling to urge [Senator Husted, Senator Moreno] to support H.R. 1689 to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. I also urge the Senator to support SB 4814, which requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. There are approximately 350,000 Haitian migrants in the United States, and nearly 50,000 of them live and work in Ohio. These individuals are here legally, pay taxes, and work in important job sectors like healthcare. They should be able to stay in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status until it is safe for them to return to their home country.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied
Ohio Gov., Senate and House of Representatives
Please take time this week to call Ohio Senator Tim Schaffer, Representative Thadeus Claggett, Representative Kevin Miller, and Governor Dewine
Senator Tim Schaffer, (614) 466-8076
Representative Thaddeus Claggett, (614) 466-1482
Representative Kevin MIller, (614) 466-2500
Governor DeWine, (614) 644-4357 https://governor.ohio.gov/contact/contact-us
We have 2 state topics this week. + email letter to Utica Mayor Quinif
SUPPORT HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN OHIO
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has begun targeting and detaining Haitians in Springfield, Ohio after President Donald Trump revoked their legal status. Many of the immigrants are being forced to wear ankle monitors. The consequences of these tactics are tragic.
On August 31, Pierre Damas Bel Bel, a Wright State University student and a recent graduate from Springfield City School District, where he played varsity soccer, was on the National Honor Society and was a member of the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, died after walking into traffic on Interstate 70.
Bel’s family pointed to his loss of Temporary Protected Status and subsequently being forced to wear an ankle monitor, which reportedly resulted in teasing from his classmates, as the cause of his death.
In the past, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has opposed the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants, arguing that conditions in Haiti are not safe enough for them to return. He has also argued that revoking TPS would devastate the Springfield, Ohio, economy and local workforce.
Call the Governor, our State Senator, and State Representatives and urge them to support Haitian immigrants living in Ohio.
Script
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [YOUR CITY].
I am calling to urge [Senator Schaffer/Representative Claggett/Representative Miller] to support Haitian Immigrants living and working in Springfield and throughout Ohio. These immigrants are here legally, are not criminals, contribute to the economic growth of our state, and have become a vital part of their communities.
The death of Pierre Damas Bel underscores the tragic consequences of the Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for these immigrants.
Please work with state and local officials and religious leaders to protect the Haitian immigrants from cruel and inhumane treatment at the hands of ICE agents.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.
Governor DeWine (614) 644-4357. https://governor.ohio.gov/contact/contact-us
Script (for Governor DeWine)
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [YOUR CITY].
I am calling to urge Governor DeWine to speak up for the Haitian Immigrants living and working in Springfield and throughout Ohio. The governor has described conditions in Haiti as ‘hell’ and understands the need to extend TPS to protect these people.
The death of Pierre Damas Bel Bel underscores the tragic consequences of the Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for these immigrants.
Please work with state and local officials and religious leaders to protect the Haitian immigrants from cruel and inhumane treatment at the hands of ICE agents.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.
SUPPORT A MORATORIUM ON NEW DATA CENTERS IN OHIO
The surge of data centers in Ohio—currently exceeding 200 facilities—has sparked significant local concern centered on four key areas:
Infrastructure & Cost: Data centers consume massive amounts of electricity, straining the power grid. This demand is projected to increase average residential utility bills by an estimated $70 per month by 2028.
Environmental Impact: These facilities require millions of gallons of water daily for cooling, threatening local supplies and risking chemical pollution in waterways like Lake Erie.
Community Disruption: Residents report constant noise pollution from cooling systems and the loss of valuable farmland as facilities expand into rural and suburban areas.
Economic Imbalance: Despite receiving nearly $2.5 billion in tax incentives, data centers create relatively few local jobs.
In response, several Ohio communities have begun pausing developments or actively protesting new projects to study these long-term impacts.
HB 646, which creates the Data Center Study Commission, has passed the House and is now being considered in the Senate. The commission would study various topics related to the environmental, economic, and energy impacts of data centers.
Call your State Senator and Representative and ask them to support a moratorium on any new data center construction and to support the Data Center Study Commission.
Script
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [YOUR CITY].
I’m calling because I’m deeply concerned about the "digital land grab" happening in our rural communities.
We have over 200 data centers now, and they are destroying valuable farmland and creating constant noise pollution. I support the creation of the Data Center Study Commission under House Bill 646, but I want [Senator Schaffer/Representative Claggett/Representative Miller] to go further and support a moratorium on new permits until that study is complete
We need to know how our water levels and power grid will be affected before we let more of these facilities break ground.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.
For more Topics, please visit https://5calls.org/ and make your voice heard
Utica Mayor James Quinif - jquinif@uticaohio.gov
End ICE contract with Utica Police
Email Template (for Utica Mayor James Quinif)