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6/11/18

Contact Federal Government Officials


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.    This week in Congress:  Forty (40) bills and resolutions are on the House Majority Leader's Schedule for this week starting on Tuesday. Additionally, we can look at this week's House committee schedule here.  Let's know what's coming.  The Senate begins their Monday session by resuming consideration of the motion to proceed to H.R.5515, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. (Source: Senate Calendar)

2.   The notion of a discharge petition to bring an item to a vote can be confusing, but it may be the only way to get a DACA bill on the floor. https://politicalcharge.org/2018/06/08/the-republican-revolt-over-immigration-whats-going-on/ Butm we only have today to convince three more House members to sign up.  If we have a GOP House member, let’s call them this morning and encourage them sign on and let’s get this done!

3.   Given Trump’s abysmal, uncooperative, and embarrassing behavior at the G7 meeting in Quebec this past weekend, it is becoming clear that he lacks the understanding why we need to work with our allies. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/06/10/what-led-to-trumps-outburst-against-trudeau-behind-the-scenes-at-the-g7.html  It is all the more imperative that we ask our senators to back Sen. Corker’s (R-TN) bill (yet unnumbered) to check Trump’s tariff’s authority:   https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/06/sen-bob-corker-tells-trump-he-wont-stop-fighting-his-tariffs.html  

4.   In a late add-on last Thursday, the House voted Thursday night on the rescission bill ( H.R.3) that will cut $15 million in programs including from the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).   These cuts are to offset the cost of the omnibus spending bill passed earlier this year.  The vote was 210-206.  http://thehill.com/homenews/house/391252-house-passes-trumps-plan-to-claw-back-15-billion-in-spending  The bill now goes to the Senate.  Let's tell our senators that this is not the right way to go.  Children's lives are at stake here. 

5.   Another discharge petition in the House, also with a deadline of today, is the only way that net neutrality can stay alive.  https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/06/net-neutrality-will-be-repealed-monday-unless-congress-takes-action  Let’s call our GOP reps and tell them to sign on.  We can also:  A) If we have a website, we can offer a way to take action on our site. The code can be found here.  B) Change our profile picture, avatar, cover photo, or banner on social media. We can check out a whole folder of graphics here.  C) Check out BattleForTheNet.com has a fresh new look for June 11th. Let’s check it out and share it on social media and with our email lists and networks.

6.   While the Dept. of Justice is supposed to uphold existing U.S. laws, Trump’s Justice Department told a federal court on Thursday that it would not defend crucial provisions of the Affordable Care Act that protect consumers with pre-existing medical conditions, on the grounds that these are part of an "unconstitutional scheme" requiring Americans to have health insurance: https://khn.org/morning-breakout/justice-department-refuses-to-defend-health-law-in-court-saying-certain-provisions-are-unconstitutional/  The legal fate of this decision is unclear, but Jeff Sessions (https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/u-s-department-of-justice) and Trump need to hear from us about this latest attempt to undermine what remains of the ACA and we need to ask our MoCs to loudly denounce this assault on our health care rights and re-affirm the principle that any health care policy must cover everyone, the sick and the healthy, at a fair and affordable price. In particular, let’s remind our GOP MoCs that they tried to reassure the American public that pre-existing conditions, one of the most popular provisions of Obamacare, would still be covered in their new bill last year.  http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2017/may/01/donald-trump/does-new-version-ahca-still-cover-pre-existing-con/

7.    Trump’s hostility to and abysmal ignorance of science is obvious, and its impact is now felt all across government: there is no White House science advisor (for the first time since 1941) assisting at the North Korea talks; the departments of State, Agriculture, the Interior, and the EPA have, one way or another, decimated their scientific advisory arms; and last year, Justice announced that it would no longer use “guidance documents” to enforce laws, including science-based laws: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/in-trump-white-house-science-is-unwelcome-and-so-is-advice/  Fortunately, a judge has asked Scott Pruitt to produce some scientific evidence to his claims.  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/judge-orders-epa-to-produce-science-behind-pruitts-warming-claims/   Let’s join this judge and demand of these agencies and of the White House that they provide us with scientific evidence whenever they take action—each and every time.

8.   Indivisible East Bay (CA) monitors nominees for federal court positions: https://indivisibleeb.org/judiciary/  Let’s check them out and particular note their assessment of and recommended action against Britt Grant:  https://indivisibleeb.org/judiciary/monitoring-nominees/grant/

9.   From Alt National Park Service (6/7) - National Alert (Important Please Read):  The superintendent, Dan Wenk, of Yellowstone National Park is being forced out of his post by the Trump administration and is set to be replaced by August. Acting Director Paul Smith stated that a new superintendent would fill Wenk's position by August. Wenk is being forced out because of an ongoing disagreement between himself, the administration and with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke over the number of bison the park can handle. Wenk said that Zinke, who served as a Montana congressman prior to joining the administration, and his staff have argued that the bison population is too high.   However, Wenk argues that the number of bison, presently more than 4,000, is sustainable. We need your help to save the superintendent of Yellowstone National Park's job and our bison from being slaughtered. To help us please share this post and spread the word!  TWEET ZINKE. @SecretaryZinke

10. The Federal Commission on School Safety, which was established after the Parkland shooting to “address school safety and the culture of violence,” is claiming that it’s outside of their purview to look at the relationship between guns and school violence. http://time.com/5301750/betsy-devos-school-safety-commission-gun-violence/  Let’s tell the commission that school safety absolutely depends on common sense gun restrictions, as data from other countries has consistently proven. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-america-school-shootings-20180215-story.html. We can reach the commission through a special email set up for public input on this issue: safety@ed.gov. We can also write directly to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos at betsy.devos@ed.gov.

11.  Instead of graduating high school this June, Manuel Antonio Cano Pacheco, a Dreamer who came to the United States when he was three, was killed by a gang three week after he was deported to Mexico.  https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/rekha-basu/2018/06/07/deportation-death-des-moines-high-school-dreamer-daca-mexico-drug-cartels/680234002/Let’s tell our MoCs that we should not be facilitating the senseless deaths of hard-working young people by sending them back to dangerous countries they have no connection to. We need to pass the Dream Act (S1615/HR 3440) now!

12. Even though nearly 15,000 deaths annually are caused from asbestos-related diseases, and ignoring the scientific evidence otherwise, Trump has called asbestos poisoning a mob-led conspiracy.  His Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will no longer “consider the health risks and impacts of asbestos already in the environment when evaluating the dangers associated with the chemical compound.”  http://www.newsweek.com/pruitt-trump-asbestos-chemicals-trump-962703 Let’s tell Trump, Pruitt and our MoCs that this is not a healthy decision for our citizens.

Election 2018 – General

An election guide from Postcards for America:  In this Google doc (updated regularly), each State shows ALL Democratic Candidates running for Congress, Governor, Lt Gov, Attorney General, Secretary of State (if applicable) with links to their websites and Twitter. Each has a link to a Twitter Thread, a Shareable Facebook Post and a Document. For most States, there are also Info & Links for Voter Registrations, Absentee Ballots, Early Voting & Voter ID, Age Requirements and being a Poll Worker.  Let’s check this out and use and share it:  


1.    Postcards to Voters currently has two (2) open campaigns. 1) FL-Campaign 91-Eileen Higgins for Miami-Dade County Commissioner. 2) TX-Campaign 92: Eric Holguin for US Congress.  Let's help get out the vote by writing 5 cards for each of these campaigns. We can sign up here.

2.   We've got a chance to bring the blue wave to Wisconsin TOMORROW, when the special elections for vacant State Senate and General Assembly seats Scott Walker tried to avoid will be held.    (https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/07/wisconsin-special-elections-could-offer-clues-possible-blue-wave/677784002/). Thanks to Flippable, we can help the Democratic nominees Caleb Frostman and Ann Groves Lloyd win from wherever we are by making phone calls. Let's sign up for a shift here.

3.    Let’s read “15 Ways to Help a Campaign Win Their Election,” and then let’s take action! https://politicalcharge.org/2018/05/04/15-ways-to-help-a-campaign-win-their-election/


Election 2018 – By State

1.    Upcoming voting dates and deadlines:


June 11
South Carolina
In person absentee voting ends
Primary
June 12
Connecticut
Filing Deadline
June 12
North Dakota
Voter Registration Deadline
Same Day registration
June 12
Maine
In person absentee voting ends
Primary
June 12
Utah
Early Voting begins
Primary
June 12
Maine
Election date
Primary
June 12
Nevada
Election date
Primary
June 12
North Dakota
Election date
Primary
June 12
South Carolina
Election date
Primary
June 12
Virginia
Election date
Primary
June 12
Wisconsin
Election date
Special-State Assembly District 42
June 12
Wisconsin
Election date
Special-State Senate District 1
June 14
Maryland
Early Voting Begins
Primary
June 15
New Hampshire
Filing Deadline

2.   Five states have primaries tomorrow: 






1.   ME:  Question 1 on the ballot tomorrow has confusing language for a reason.  http://hotstove.bangordailynews.com/2018/04/25/home/yes-on-question-1-keep-ranked-choice-voting/ Here’s the thing, if we want to keep ranked choice voting, we need to vote “YES”.

Other Actions

1.    The Facebook group Comfort for Kids in ICE Detention,  has been looking for places to send comfort parcels and received a reply from The Florence Project, https://firrp.org/ . Let’s check out this Google doc to see what items we can send to comfort immigrant and refugee children:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=17X2jauqjeWQ5BpqyffeN3M8mtT_GmT-m

2.   Children separated from their parents at the border are now being sent to various states for foster care.  http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2018/06/09/borderseparations/Z95z4eFZjyfqCLG9pyHjAO/story.html  We can fight the cruel new policy and help the children by opening our hearts and homes until they can be returned to their parents.  Let’s check here to see how we can become foster parents to these children:  http://www.usccb.org/about/children-and-migration/foster-care/index.cfm

3.   From The Loyal Opposition:  If Trump pardons key witnesses in the #TrumpRussia probe, it's a red-line that triggers automatic, preplanned, nationwide peaceful protests, sponsored by leading non-profits, including @MarchForTruth17. Learn about what you can do to help the effort at http://TrumpIsNotAboveTheLaw.org .

4.   From Chop Wood/Carry Water:  I found a great organization called Kind that has been helping children in immigration proceedings for ten years. Please check them out (link to their website is above).  Let's also follow KIND online @supportkind on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram to get the latest news and information about family separation and the protection of children.  Let's amplify the amazing work this group is doing in every way we can.

5.   The recent suicides of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade have shaken many of us and demonstrated how hard it can be to know that someone is troubled and needs our help. While caring and concern are important, there are also practical steps that we can take to prevent future tragedies. TheCDC’s very comprehensive Suicide Prevention guide provides very thorough, useful information for both communities and individuals. We can read it here, then share as we see fit.  https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/suicidetechnicalpackage.pdf

6.   Tampa Bay Times reporting has revealed that for more than a year, the state of Florida failed to conduct national background checks on tens of thousands of applications for concealed weapons permits (http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/06/08/adam-putnams-office-stopped-concealed-weapons-background-checks-for-a-year-because-it-couldnt-log-in/). This unbelievable act of irresponsibility was overseen by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and its elected commissioner, Republican Adam Putnam. Putnam is running for governor and has highlighted his expansion of concealed carry permit as a key accomplishment. Let’s join his Democratic opponents in calling on him to drop out and resign his position by emailing him at info@adamputnam.com. And let’s support their efforts to defeat him by contributing to the Florida Democratic Party.

7.   Federal magistrate judges are on the front lines of the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy that is criminalizing asylum-seekers and forcibly separating them from their children. This article from The Intercept, https://theintercept.com/2018/05/29/zero-tolerance-border-policy-immigration-mass-trials-children/ , spotlights how the courtroom of Federal Magistrate Judge Ronald G. Morgan (Brownsville, TX) has become a zero-tolerance factory. It includes Judge Morgan’s dramatic statement to US prosecuting attorney: “What you’ve done, in effect, by separating these children is you’re putting them in some place without their parents. If you can imagine there’s a hell, that’s probably what it looks like.” Judge Morgan nevertheless went on to give the parents in his courtroom false hope by telling them that they would be rejoined with their children in detention. Let’s tell Judge Morgan that if he checks ICE’s publicly accessible, online database, he’ll see that almost all the people who have gone through his courtroom have been taken to detention camps that house only adults.  #FamiliesBelongTogether  Email:   Bertha_Vasquez@txs.uscourts.gov (Judge Morgan’s case manager); Linda_Garcia@txs.uscourts.gov (his judicial assistant);  and Craig_Smith@txs.uscourts.gov (his law clerk). See also:  http://www.txs.uscourts.gov/content/united-states-magistrate-judge-ronald-g-morgan

8.  This summer, MoveOn is launching the Resist & Win program to support grassroots activists like us to ending GOP control of the House of Representatives and to grow our long-term movement to build the democracy we dream of.  World class organizing training sessions will be offered online as part of the MoveOn Digital Summer Camp from July 8 to August 8 2018, just 3-5 hours per week. We’ll also be able to apply to attend the two-day MoveOn National Grassroots Leadership Summit with hundreds of grassroots movement leaders from around the country on August 25-26, 2018. We’ll be trained to lead volunteer campaigners during the summer and fall to help our candidates win. We can click here to apply, then share with our friends. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so let’s apply today! https://bit.ly/2y07rlb

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.    This is the fifth week of the Poor People’s Campaign.  Let’s check where we can participate:  https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/events/  We can keep up with them via their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/anewppc/posts/1716803651749136

2.   Voter turnout will play an important part in our 2018 Midterm Elections, Organizing For America is presenting a Voting Rights Webinar on Tuesday, June 12 at 7pm CT/8pm ET. This informative conversation with the Brennan Center for Justice will discuss some of the barriers to voting in communities across the country, how we can work to overcome them, and why it’s important that we are all involved in protecting our democracy in 2018. We can register here. https://bit.ly/2sXxkvU

3.   On June 14th, 2018, thousands of people across the US will join marches, rallies, and vigils to protest the administration’s cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers.  Let’s find an event near us:  http://map.familiesbelong.org/search.php

States


Find elected state officials: https://openstates.org/


1.    ALL:  Because the employee couldn’t log into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, for more than a year, concealed carry applications, over 200,000, were approved without the required check.  http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/06/08/adam-putnams-office-stopped-concealed-weapons-background-checks-for-a-year-because-it-couldnt-log-in/  

2.   ALL:  While the FCC's repeal of net neutrality protections goes into effect today, there is still plenty that we can do at the state level to ensure that we retain equal access to content on the internet. Indivisible details four ways that we can work to protect net neutrality: by contacting our state Attorney General, asking our state MoC to introduce legislation, asking our governor to take executive action, and asking our local municipalities to create net-neutral broadband networks. Let's learn more about these actions, and check to see where our state stands on net neutrality here, then let's get to work!

3.   MOST:  Birth certificates have a long history of being used to reinforce bigoted policies (https://theatln.tc/2kYQVIA). While they have previously been referenced to prevent racially mixed marriages, to support eugenics, and to uphold white supremacy, now they are used as a tool to prevent the transgender community from having their gender identity match their legally-recognized sex. There are still states that completely outlaw changing gender markers on birth certificates, and numerous others which require individuals to appear in court, or to undergo surgery before their birth certificate can be changed (https://bit.ly/2J8Xa7v). We can help fight back against this by working with our state legislators to afford greater protections to transgender individuals and oppose discriminatory bills that are introduced. Let's check out the Transgender Law Center's map of state legislation, and get in touch with our state MoCs.

4.   CA:   Net Neutrality ENDS MONDAY, June 11, but we have a slim chance of saving it in California if we stop lobbyists from killing SB822 in Committee. We can check here to see if our Representative is one the key Committee that votes to advance or kill the bill. Especially if we live in District 28, we can call Evan Low, the lynch pin of this deal and ask him to support it. We can then ask our friends or family in his district to call too.  If Kevin DeLeon is our Representative, we can ask him to support this bill which does not have the loopholes that his bill does. We can see if our State Representatives are on this crucial committee, find out more about the bill and how to make contact here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/276018149607190/?ti=icl

5.   NC:  North Carolina could be the next state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).  http://www.wect.com/story/38362420/nc-could-be-deciding-state-in-push-for-constitutional-amendment  Let’s check out what we can do here:  https://www.ratifyera.org/

Reading/Watching

1.    Experts in authoritarianism advise us to keep a list of things subtly changing around us, so we’ll remember.  Amy Siskind is keeping that list for us. Amy writes, "Trump continues to act as if he is solely in charge, attending the Group of Seven summit in Toronto where he arrived late, left early, delivered a harsh, toothless speech, and complained Russia wasn’t invited  further alienating our former allies and achieving nothing before leaving for his summit with Kim Jong Un next Tuesday."  Let's review Amy Siskind's list week 82

2.   Whether it's Bannon’s “destruction of the administrative state”—the undoing of regulations, pacts, and taxes that he believed constrain American power—or Trump’s war on the “deep state,” we’d do well to know the details of the hollowing out of our government:  https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/05/21/trump-vs-the-deep-state

3.   As usual, our weekly dose of Small Victories which announces that they are beginning their summer schedule of publishing every other week.  They remind us that we can still find them “on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram, and we’ll be back to regularly weekly updates just as election season heats up.”



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