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Contact Federal Government Officials

Find senator’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/RLiotu

Find representative’s contact info here: https://goo.gl/5i7SXC

Fax legislators for free:  Reps:  https://faxzero.com/fax_congress.php

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Many newspapers, including New York Times and Washington Post require subscriptions, but without one we can see a few articles each month.  We can also check with our local libraries to find out how to get online access through them..

1.       Link Correction:  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is considering treating “bump stocks” like the ones used in the mass shooting in Las Vegas as falling under the legal definition of machine guns. Under laws already in place, the sale and manufacture of new machine guns for civilian use is banned and those already in circulation are tightly regulated: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/12/05/atf-and-other-federal-agencies-reviewing-whether-ban-bump-stocks/924347001/ Today is the LAST DAY we can submit comments on this proposed rule. Let’s let the ATF know we think this would be a step in the right direction:  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/12/26/2017-27898/application-of-the-definition-of-machinegun-to-bump-fire-stocks-and-other-similar-devices#open-comment

2.      The battle for DACA recipients rages on after the shutdown:  https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/1/24/16927834/daca-deal-blame-game  Let’s let our Republican MoC know we expect them to keep their promises and our Democratic MoC know that we expect them to go to the mat. We want a clean DACA bill (no wall or other strings) passed before a spending bill is discussed.

3.      Mick Mulvaney received more than $50,000 in campaign contributions from the payday lending industry over the course of his career, and as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) he’s in a position to regulate his benefactors. He’s already unwound several Obama/Cordray-era protections against the industry. Now the International Business Times reports that the CFPB quietly closed an nearly four-year-old investigation into a payday lender that had financially backed Mulvaney: http://www.ibtimes.com/political-capital/cfpb-drops-investigation-payday-lender-contributed-mick-mulvaneys-campaigns We need to know whether the CFPB is protecting consumers or donors. Let’s contact our members of Congress and ask them to demand a hearing on why this investigation was closed and whether or not Mulvaney’s conflict of interest interfered with justice. (Especially important for those of us represented by members of the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee.)​

4.      As someone quipped, “They might consider changing the name of the agency. With Mulvaney heading it up, “Corporate Financial Protection Bureau” makes more sense.”  Mulvaney, the current acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is re-vamping the program saying that “the agency’s days of routine, aggressive regulatory and enforcement action “are over.”  http://thehill.com/policy/finance/370361-acting-consumer-bureau-chief-declares-new-mission-in-rebuke-of-former-regime Let’s remind Mulvaney that “aggressive regulatory and enforcement action” is the charge of his bureau and has already saved millions of Americans billions of dollars:  https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/six-years-serving-you/  Let’s also tell our MoCs that we want this bureau to do the job for which it was intended.

5.      From EcoWatch: 3 Reasons Why the Trump USDA’s School Nutrition Rollbacks Should Worry You—and What You Can Do About It. Let's read the article then leave our public comment on the Federal Register. We have until only January 29 (next Monday) to leave our comments.

6.      The Trump administration has halted an oil and gas lease sale near eastern Idaho’s Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge in response to protests from conservation groups. The Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project and other groups filed formal protests to the 800-acre lease sale, scheduled for March, because fracking and drilling would threaten the imperiled greater sage grouse and violate federal conservation plans for the bird. Let's read more at the Center for Biological Diversity. Let's contact the Interior's Bureau of Land Management's National Office and Idaho Office to voice our support for protecting the Refuge from fracking and drilling.

7.      The Senate’s new bipartisan Commonsense Caucus is growing and is credited for ending the government shutdown.  https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/1/23/16920060/susan-collins-talking-stick-senate-bipartisan-government-shutdown If they are already members, let’s encourage our senators to consider joining these moderates who want to work together to get things done.

8.     Reps. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) “are calling on the Justice Department to expand any planned investigation into the hundreds of fake comments that appeared on the FCC’s net neutrality rule to rulemakings from all agencies.” http://thehill.com/homenews/house/370534-house-dems-ask-doj-fbi-to-include-all-agencies-in-fake-comments-investigation Let’s contact our MoC to ask them to join these Representatives in pushing for an investigation into the submission of fake comments related to rulemaking in all government agencies.

9.      “Travel to the U.S. has been on the decline ever since President Donald Trump took office, and new data shows the slump translates to a cost of $4.6 billion in lost spending and 40,000 jobs.” https://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/tourism-u-s-down-trump-took-office-costing-4-6-n840326?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma Let’s contact our MoC to express our concern about the very real cost that Trump is having on our economic wellbeing, and our status in the world. 

10.  Any day now, the Senate will be voting on lifetime appointments for seventeen Trump judicial nominees to the federal courts. Let’s contact our Senators and tell them to vote against the following five nominees:  A) Holly Lou Teeter and B) Charles Goodwin—both rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association: www.abajournal.com/news/article/seventeen_judicial_nominees_advance_to_the_senate_including_two_rated_not_q, C )Kyle Duncan—opponent of civil rights for LGBTQ, reproductive rights, voting rights; anti-immigrant, D) David Stras—ultra-conservative and nominated despite being “blue slipped” by Minnesota senators, and E) Thomas Farr—proponent of racial gerrymandering and racially motivated voter suppression. https://www.suitupmaine.org/unqualified-and-extremist-judicial-appointments-demand-their-opposition/

Election 2018 - General

Election 2018 – By State

1.       NH: At a time when Medicaid is under threat, we need more public officials in office who can make the case for how important it is. Phil Spagnuolo knows the expansion of Medicaid helped save him from addiction. He became a recovery coach, and now he’s running as the Democratic nominee for state rep in a February 27th special election in New Hampshire:
http://www.unionleader.com/article/20170314/NEWS12/170319774 Let’s give him a hand! We can find instructions on how to phone bank voters for him at:

2.      TN:  From TN House Democrats:  So far, we’ve had 15 potential candidates contact us for more info on running for state House, & 2 actually declared their intent to run. Incredible response! As a reminder, the following districts are open w/o Dem candidate: HDs 19, 21, 23, 24, 30, 37, 45, 46, 47, 64, 72, 89. Interested or know someone who might be?  Contact TN House Democrats:  tnhousedem@gmail.com or 615-741-1100 ext. 44866

Other Actions

1.       “In his first year as president, Donald Trump has often used language and promoted policies that critics describe as racist. From his travel ban against predominantly Muslim nations to his criticism of NFL player protests of police brutality to his response to a white supremacist’s deadly terrorist attack in Charlottesville, Virginia, the president has come under fire. But have his actions and words touched your life?”  PBS News Hour wants to hear from us: 

2.      Data collection is underway for last weekend’s Women’s March events.  Let’s take a look and see if we can help add to the numbers:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vl1MlIZP2i87TFvSVDUY1zkRgmSfe-_-Ae_I3pr-cQA/htmlview?usp=gmail#gid=272855497

3.      From The Loyal Opposition:  Most people have heard about @IndivisibleTeam's practical guide for resisting the Trump agenda. But have you read it yet? Indivisible is the expert guide on constituent action and it's worth the time. https://www.indivisibleguide.com/ 

4.      Author Debbie Macomber is sponsoring the “Warming Your Heart and Theirs” campaign. The campaign is looking to send 2,500 gloves, scarves, and hats to children in the Middle East by Valentine’s Day. We can help by knitting, crocheting, or buying items. For more information, visit: https://debbiemacomber.com/about/knit-one-bless-two

5.      The NCAA (The National Collegiate Athletic Association) is the first outside agency to launch an investigation into Michigan State University and its response to allegations against Larry Nassar, who served as the MSU gymnastics physician, as well as for USA Gymnastics.  He pled guilty to sex abuse and was sentenced yesterday to 40 to 175 years in prison.  https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/after-its-penn-state-failures-ncaa-must-get-it-right-with-larry-nassar-michigan-state/  Let’s contact the NCAA and thank them for this investigation into this matter and that we hope they’ve learned from the Penn State case:

6.      “Having a hard time staying on top of changes to federal science regulations and actions? A new website launched today has you covered.  The Silencing Science Tracker—a joint project from Columbia Law School's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund—has a running tally of federal government attempts to "restrict or prohibit scientific research, education or discussion, or the publication or use of scientific information," since President Donald Trump was elected in November 2016.” 
http://www.ehn.org/has-trump-hurt-environment-climate-2526886674.html  Let’s use this info when we are addressing these issues with our MoCs.

7.      Swing Left Valentines Online Fundraiser:  Imagine if 50 people in your district got 50 friends to give just $10: You could raise $25,000 to oust your GOP congress-critter. Fast. Instructions here:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Fp037kz4UkOFxZGYKvP1w2gaK3GF_2RK

8.     With so many shootings, it is easy to despair, but we can join the fight against gun violence instead. We can make a difference with Gun Sense Action Network, a volunteer group that takes weekly actions to prevent gun violence. GSAN currently has two opportunities for us:  A) We can join the GSAN Voter Outreach Team and call voters about key federal battles to resist the NRA’s “guns everywhere” agenda, and B) We can join the GSAN Welcome Team, to call and welcome new volunteers, increasing grassroots power to stand up to the gun lobby. We can click here to learn more and to sign up:  http://bit.ly/2DEHSYf

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.       On January 31st, the day after Trump’s first State of the Union, this new movement will come together in Washington D.C. for Fossil Free Fast: The Climate Resistance.  This inspiring event will be livestreamed at 8:00 PM ET -- and thousands across the country will watch with their friends and family. Will you join them?  Sign up for a watch party near you -- or if there isn’t one happening yet, sign up to host one:  https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/fossil-free-fast/

States

1.       CA:  Governor Jerry Brown of California has been a fierce critic of The White House's decision to open the state's coastal waters to oil drilling, but he has been less resolute about opposing other oil extraction projects. Now a group of 30 public interest groups has issued a plea to him, asking that he take a stronger stand against the petroleum industry and freeze all new oil well development in California, on land or sea, as well as all existing coastal extraction projects. http://consumerwatchdog.org/energy/30-public-interest-groups-urge-governor-brown-freeze-state-oil-drilling  Let's contact Governor Brown (916-445-2841governor@governor.ca.gov) and help put a little extra starch into his determination to "keep it in the ground," shall we? 

2.      KY:  Governor Bevin has declared this week School Choice Week, political speak for school charters privatizing education and devastating  public school budgets. While “school choice” supporters are rallying to support their cause, we can make sure our legislators hear our voices and know that we do not support the destruction of public education in our state!  Two bills have been filed to push the charter school movement forward.- Senate Bill 36 and the equivalent bill in the House Bill 134. These bills represent the privatization of public schools in Kentucky by providing tax credits for private school parents.  These credits will further strain our already strapped budget and will be devastating to public education funding. Public education serves ALL kids. We must protect it! We can call our legislators and tell them to Vote NO on SB36 and HB 134. We can call the KY Legislative comment line at 800-372-7181 or our legislators’ offices by calling 502-564-8100 and ask for them by name.

3.      MA: URGENT! An immigrant protection bill known as the Safe Communities Act (S.1305, H.3269) will expire if it is not reported out of committee and brought to a vote by February 7. If we are in Massachusetts, let’s read about the Act https://www.miracoalition.org/safe-communities . Then, let’s contact the following and tell them that we want our state and local police to keep our communities safe, not break up families, and that we want the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to let this bill go for a vote before the deadline:  A) **MOST IMPORTANT**Our own senator and representative: 
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator, B) Chairs, Vice-Chairs, and members of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security:

Reading/Watching

1.       “An open letter to the judge presiding over Larry Nassar's sentencing hearing” - http://www.espn.com/espnw/voices/article/22135371/an-open-letter-judge-presiding-larry-nassar-sentencing-hearing

2.      “Trump Supporters Infuriated Me. But Then Van Jones Changed My Mind” - http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace-justice/trump-supporters-infuriated-me-but-then-van-jones-changed-my-mind-20171209

3.      From Sean McElwee at The Nation: How the Right’s War on Unions Is Killing the Democratic Party. “Right-to-work” laws have a measurable effect on voting patterns. Let's become more informed about the hidden impact of "Right-to-work" laws.




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