Congress is considering a bill that would cut wasteful government subsidies for student loan companies, and use the $87 billion in savings to make college more affordable and accessible. It would represent the biggest investment in higher education ever, and include $40 billion for the Pell Grant. Unfortunately, student loan companies want to protect their subsidies, and have launched a multi-million dollar lobbying and PR campaign to stop real reform. They have even hired Qorvis Communications, a high powered and controversial PR firm. Don’t let big lenders and big lobbyists torpedo a bill to give more grants to students, take action now.

A proposal to repeal the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy in the U.S. Armed Services is set to come before the U.S. Congress in the coming months. President Obama campaigned on the promise to end the discriminatory act but has yet to act on it. The Military Readiness Enhancement Act doesn’t have enough support in the House of Representatives to approve legislation on its own so let your representative know that you want them to support the introduction of this bill.

In 2004 Congress proposed the Debbie Smith Act in order to prevent rape kits from remaining untested. There are over 400,000 untested rape kits all over the United States and making sure that they get tested, and preventing new cases from stalling, has the chance to move prosecution forward on thousands of unsolved rape cases. Testing all kits also helps corroborate testimony, establish crime patterns, and keeps communities safer. Insist that those elected to represent your views do so accurately. Human Rights Watch provides an easy way to contact them here.

One tobacco company rep. was asked about who they target. He said, They got lips, we want them.” Make sure Big Tobacco knows that they don’t have your lips. Take a photo of your tobacco-free lips and upload it at helloCHANGE.org.

Are you someone who can talk anyone into doing anything no matter how big the task? Instead of talking about how sick of inequality you are, take the opportunity to meet with your representative in Congress face-to-face and speak your mind. The Human Rights Campaign has set up No Excuses, a program that helps you set up a meeting with policy makers from your district to convince them that LGBT equality is of the utmost importance to you and your community. Watch the 1 minute video and fill out the short form to begin the process, the HRC will help you out from there. They have a toolkit to help you along if you need talking points and help convincing representatives to meet with you. LGBT issues are too often overlooked on the political agenda; use No Excuses to bring them to the forefront.

Thanks to pressure from groups like Greenpeace, Target has officially stopped sales of farmed salmon products. Now it’s time for your friendly neighborhood Trader Joe’s to feel the weight. While they market themselves as a healthy, sustainable (and delicious) source for groceries, they aren’t perfect. They have the worst seafood sustainability policy of any national chain and they need to know that it’s unacceptable. Sign the petition online to urge them to fix their damaging policies and don’t buy their fish.