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8/4/17

The Rogan’s List Team is on vacation from July 30 through August 13, but because of the extension of the Senate calendar we have decided to run a smaller list during this time. We look forward to being back to the full list on August 14.

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1.      Special Counsel Robert Mueller is uncovering damning materials in his probe into Russia's interference in our 2016 presidential election, and Trump doesn't like it. In response to the possibility that Trump may try to fire Mueller in an effort to obstruct the investigation, Thom Tillis (R) and Chris Coons (D) introduced legislation yesterday to make it more difficult for a president to remove a special counsel without legitimate cause. The Special Counsel Integrity Act is retroactive to the date that Mueller was hired, and would allow for a court hearing in the event of termination. (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/bipartisan-senate-bill-aims-protect-special-counsels-job-49001867) Let's call our MoCs to ask them to support this important, bipartisan bill. If they won’t say yes, let’s ask them why.

2.     Trump hit Twitter again and blames Congress for our challenging relationship with Russia: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/345111-trump-you-can-thank-congress-for-us-russia-relationship-at-all-time. Let’s let Trump know that we want to hold Russia accountable for their interference in our election: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20500. And let’s let our MoCs know we’re not falling for Trump’s nonsense and we support them keeping up the pressure on Russia.

3.     The Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017, which would delay clean air regulations and undermine the Clean Air Act, has passed the House. (http://bit.ly/2eO41bS) The bill is on its way to the Senate, where their own version of the bill was introduced in February. Let’s make sure our senators are opposed to the Ozone Standards Implementation Act (H.R. 806 and S. 263). We can check on the status of both bills on GovTrack here: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr806 and https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/s263.

4.      Betsy DeVos is considering dismantling Title IX and protections for survivors of sexual violence on campus. (http://college.usatoday.com/2017/07/14/advocacy-groups-react-after-title-ix-summit-with-betsy-devos/). We need to let our reps know that we do not want to be dragged back, and we want them to stand up against campus sexual violence by supporting the Campus Accountability and Safety Act (S. 856 and H.R. 1949). Let’s join our friend and ally Jen Hoffman and make the call.

5.      A bipartisan bill has just been reintroduced in the Senate, which would work towards ending preventable maternal and child deaths worldwide (http://bit.ly/2vu3fXL). We can call our senators and ask that they cosponsor and support the Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2017 (also titled "A bill to implement policies to end preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths globally" or S. 1730).

6.      The Senate blocked President Trump from being able to make recess appointments on Thursday as lawmakers leave Washington for their summer break. Now Trump will have to go through the normal confirmation process instead of sneaking through any appointments. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), doing wrap up for the entire Senate, locked in nine "pro-forma" sessions — brief meetings that normally last roughly a minute. Let's be sure to thank her for her efforts on this issue as well as her efforts in blocking the repeal and replace (http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/345261-senate-blocks-trump-from-making-recess-appointments-over-break). Contact: Senator Murkowski: 522 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510

7.      It is hard to bear the tone and content of Trump’s calls with the leaders of Mexico and Australia early in his term which were revealed in leaked documents (https://apnews.com/d2f1b84b26a7463fa0a48d1c7f422da6/Trump-talked-tersely-with-leaders-of-Mexico,-Australia)  Let’s take a moment to remind our MoC that Trump is unfit to serve.

8.      The deadline for public comments regarding mining in the protected Minnesota Boundary Waters is Aug. 11.  http://wilderness.org/blog/time-running-out-keep-minnesotas-boundary-waters-clean%E2%80%94speak-today  This is a federal review, not state, so we can all use the link (where it says "Take Action") on the Wilderness.org link to submit our comments.  If we are Minnesota residents, let's also contact our representatives to let them know this is important to us.

9.      Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Marijuana Justice Act, S1689, that would legalize marijuana nationally. (http://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2017/08/01/booker-seeks-federal-marijuana-legalization-113716) While we know this particular bill has no chance under the current regime, let's help build momentum for the future. Let's send letters, emails and postcards asking our Democratic senators to co-sponsor the Marijuana Justice Act. In states with legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana, let's also ask our Republican senators to co-sponsor S1689.

10.   The Trump administration and two Republican senators have unveiled a plan to cut LEGAL immigration in half (http://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/02/trump-legal-immigration-reduction-bill-241249). Let’s send our MoCs a copy of Emma Lazarus’ New Colossus (the poem at the base of the Statue of Liberty, text here: https://www.nps.gov/stli/learn/historyculture/colossus.htm) and let them know what this country stands for. While we’re at it, let’s send a copy to Stephen Miller, the White House aide who said during a press conference that the poem is not an original part of the statue and discounted its meaning (https://apnews.com/4480009609c644bca851cb69a04f0fd2/Trump-aide-dismisses-Statue-of-Liberty-%27huddled-masses'-poem). The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20500

State Actions

1.      FL: Great news for voting rights! The ACLU has joined the push to amend the Florida state constitution to restore voting rights to felons who have served their time. (https://blavity.com/aclu-felon-voting-rights-florida-amendment-constitution) Forty-seven other states already re-enfranchise ex-felons. If we're in Florida, let's help put the Voter Restoration Amendment on the state's November ballot by signing up here: https://www.floridiansforafairdemocracy.com/

2.      MA: The pressure’s on to allow residents to register to vote on Election Day, following a state court ruling last month that the Commonwealth’s 20-day voter registration requirement is unconstitutional. (https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/07/24/judge-overturns-state-voter-registration-deadline/B4Ah02C1GW9hMMOQNrkftL/story.html) Same-day voter registration has the potential to improve voter turnout by between 2% and 10%. But Secretary of State William Galvin is appealing the court decision, citing the need for additional funding to implement same-day registration. States with same-day voter registration have not found it to be a financial or logistical burden. (http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/08/02/states-with-election-day-registration-see-bonus-for-democracy/RkdGMQXCqJd1kEoJM1cW4J/story.html?event=event12) Let’s tell Galvin to drop the lawsuit, and let’s tell our state legislators to support enact S.371, H.354, and H.2093, which would establish same-day voter registration in Massachusetts. You can reach Secretary of State William Galvin at cis@sec.state.ma.us or by mail at One Ashburton Place, Room 1705, Boston, MA 02108. You can find contact info for your state reps here: http://hq-salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5950/getLocal.jsp.

3.      WI: Foxconn can ignore Wisconsin environmental laws if the proposed bill for their new facility passes the Wisconsin legislature. http://www.businessinsider.com/r-activists-attack-wisconsins-foxconn-deal-as-harmful-to-wetlands-2017-8.  If we are in Wisconsin, let's start calling our state legislators about this now. We can find their contact info here: https://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/. The vote on the bill is expected this month. Governor Scott Walker needs to hear from us too: https://walker.wi.gov/contact-us. For this local issue, let's try to recruit a friend or two who usually does not make calls but may feel more inclined to do so when the issue is in their backyard. 
Other Actions

1.     The fundamental importance of science in our daily lives, the agencies and departments that promote and utilize science are under attack by the current administration. (https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-public/trump-proposed-budget-science-research-funding) So Rise Stronger, the Union of Concerned Scientists and other groups are calling on us to speak up for science by writing op-eds in our local newspapers in support of government funding for science, technology, and the programs that enrich and improve our society and local communities. Those of us who are interested can find topic suggestions, background information, and a team ready to edit and publicize our op-eds at this link: https://risestronger.org/newsroom/op-ed-fy18-budget-science.

2.      Every Case Matters is a non-profit group that advocates against police killings. Often such small groups have a tough time in raising awareness for their cause. Let’s check out their website and follow them on Facebook for updates.
Reading/Watching

1.     While some may argue that Trump has not accomplished anything significant during his presidency thus far, it’s important to look at the administration as a whole and take stock of the changes that are being made in various departments. From border to security to judicial appointment to civil rights to police reform, The Atlantic takes a look at the damage being done, noting that “these less heralded, less noticed and sometimes obscure changes to federal policy are more fragile than major legislation… but their effects are no less real, and in many cases they’re drastic”: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/08/what-trump-is-actually-accomplishing/535458/

2.      An interesting perspective from David Frum on the negatives of Trump’s call transcripts to world leaders being leaked: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/08/why-leaking-transcripts-of-trumps-calls-is-so-dangerous/535809/?utm_source=atltw

3.      In case we missed conservative columnist Peggy Noonan’s article (“Trump is Woody Allen Without the Humor”) in the Wall Street Journal last week, here’s a recap of the highlights from The Hill: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/344292-peggy-noonan-weak-and-sniveling-trump-is-not-as-strong-as-his

4.      This op-ed in the New York Times calls attention to those responsible for the GOP not passing their health care bill and spoiler alert... heavy mention of citizens/activists. Well done all! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/01/opinion/obamacare-trumpcare-citizen.html


Rogan’s List is a participant in and strategic partner of the Action Alliance,
            a loosely-federated group of organizations that, in the wake of the
2016 election, are sharing daily or weekly calls to action.
Other member sites are listed here: https://www.actionalliance.co/  --scroll down and click through and you'll find many more opportunities to make a difference.
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Rogan’s List is also part of RISE Stronger’s United States of Resistance


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