Rogan's List

12/11/17

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

and Senate: https://faxzero.com/fax_senate.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:  Let's check out the House Majority Leader's Schedule to review the twenty-two (22) bills coming up for a vote this week in the House. On Monday, the Senate convenes at 4pm and will resume consideration of the nomination of Leonard Steven Grasz, of Nebraska, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Eighth Circuit.  We need to be aware that Grasz’s record is deeply concerning, particularly his opposition to the rights of women and the LGBTQ community. Alliance for Justice strongly opposes Grasz’s nomination. We can call our Senators to express concerns about Grasz for this lifetime appointment.  Congress is scheduled to go on recess at the end of the week and resume after the new year begins. 

2.      The FCC has rejected New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s complaint that many of the comments submitted to the FCC re: net neutrality were corrupted:

http://thehill.com/policy/technology/363988-fcc-rejects-ny-ags-probe-into-net-neutrality-comments We need to continue to make noise about this as much as possible today and tomorrow before the expected vote later this week by the FCC Commissioners. This shortcut link takes you to the comment page on the FCC website:  A) Let’s go to gofccyourself.com  (thanks John Oliver!), B) Click on the “17-108” option which is labeled “Restoring Internet Freedom”, C) Click on “Express” (vs. New Filing) on the left, D) Enter name and info and in the comment section add “I strongly support net neutrality backed by Title 2 oversight of ISPs” and then can add other comments too, E) Then continue to the review screen and review, and F) Hit “submit”.  And let’s continue to reach the three Commissioners who have not committed to a no vote: A) Ajit Pai: 202-518-7399 / email: Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov/ Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC, B) Michael O'Rielly: 301-657-9092 / email: mike.o’rielly@fcc.gov Twitter @mikeofcc, and C) Brendan Carr: 202-719-7305 / email: Brendan.Carr@fcc.gov/ Twitter: @BrendanCarrFCC

3.      Tomorrow, Tuesday December 12th, Etsy, Reddit, Imgur, Pinterest, Twitter, and other prominent websites will be joining together to Break the Internet to motivate all of us to call our MoC about saving net neutrality:  https://www.battleforthenet.com/breaktheinternet/ While the FCC may vote to kill net neutrality on the 14th, our members of Congress can take measures to prevent this from happening, if they act quickly. Let's join the movement and call our senators and representatives. We can also write a letter to Congress using the tool available at https://www.battleforthenet.com/

4.      Perhaps a better way to protect the open internet is this: Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (D -NY18) introduced the Save Net Neutrality act (H.R. 4585) to stop the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would result in a final rule eliminating the existing Net Neutrality policy. The Save Net Neutrality Act would simply prevent the FCC from relying on the NPRM process that will conclude with a final vote on December 14^th. The bill refrains from making policy prescriptions, but instead invalidates the process that culminates in the creation of an enforceable rule authorized by the APA. Without the ability to rely on the rule, the FCC would have to start the NPRM process over from scratch. Let's read more at Hudson Valley News Network then let's call and email our own representatives to ask them to save net neutrality by co-sponsoring or supporting HR4585.  Let’s also contact the members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to which the bill has been forwarded:  https://energycommerce.house.gov/about/ 

5.      It is time to clean house…all of them.  The time has come for the women serving in this Congress to follow the lead of some of the senators in Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) situation and stand together to insist that anyone in Federal government who has a past of inappropriate sexual behavior, resign. Likewise, the time has come for us to encourage them to take this action.  Here is the list of the women currently serving in Congress (click on their name to get to their website for contact info):  http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/list-women-currently-serving-congress 

6.      The members of the House-Senate Conference Committee for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have been named.  These are our MoCs who will work out a reconciliation bill between the House and Senate versions of the tax bill.  https://waysandmeans.house.gov/conferees-house-senate-conference-committee-tax-cuts-jobs-act/  The committee will hold an open meeting on Wednesday.  http://thehill.com/policy/finance/364013-tax-conference-announces-open-meeting-next-week   Whether or not these committee members are from our state, they hold the power to determine what happens next.  They will either come to an agreement and vote it out of committee to a full vote of the House and Senate, or it will die in committee.  Let’s do what we can to keep it from leaving the committee as long as we can. 

7.      With Corker against and Collins and Flake still undecided, we still have a chance to derail this massively unfair tax bill. Michael Linden lays out the state of play and timeline on tax scam here, including Congress Members and Senators to contact:  https://mobile.twitter.com/MichaelSLinden/status/939929904887549953

8.     Last week, a number of House and Senate Democrats voted in favor of a two-week funding bill to keep the government open, even though that bill did not include provisions for CHIP funding, ACA subsidy funding, or a clean DREAM Act; three of the major must-pass bills http://bit.ly/2A11vok Democratic votes are needed in order to pass another funding bill and avoid a government shutdown, and our Democratic MoC need to use the leverage they have to get these important pieces of legislation passed http://nyti.ms/2jnv8gK To not do so would be to fail DACA recipients, destabilize insurance markets, and leave millions of children without health insurance. Let's check to see how our MoC voted on the stop-gap funding bill, then give them a call to hold them accountable, and ask them to stand their ground the next time the funding bill is held to a vote. Senate votes: http://bit.ly/2ALe8Fz House votes: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2017/roll670.xml

9.      It is still and always has been about Russia.  Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) said on Twitter, “It’s no hoax - Russia really did interfere with our election, and we’re still investigating the Trump campaign’s role. Let us break it down for you: (then shared this video: https://swalwell.house.gov/russia)   Let’s remind our MoCs that this has been our concern from the beginning and still is.  Not only is the last election still in question, but the 2018 elections are as well. 

10.  In September, Trump repealed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, which gave undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children temporary employment authorization and permission to stay in the US.  Time is running out for passage of the DREAM Act, which would make DACA the law and grant undocumented youth a path to citizenship.  A clean DREAM Act would ensure that immigrant youth can continue to go to school, work, and pay taxes without fear of deportation, and does not build border walls, detain and deport other immigrants. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHIBI-EOlW4  Let’s again call our MoCs.  This is essential to the future of these young people who are already contributing members of our country. 

11.  Congressional Republicans are continuing to play games with the Children’s Health Insurance Program, leaving reauthorization of a program that helps provide health insurance to almost nine million children and pregnant women out of the extension of government funding:  https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/stopgap-spending-plan-leaves-out-chip-kids-health-plan-n827826  This package expires on December 22nd, which means we have another opportunity to pressure them for action. Let’s contact our reps and let them know we want them to exist on full funding for CHIP being included in the next government funding bill, whether it’s a continuing resolution or an omnibus. And we can also join Wall-of-Us in contacting our governors and asking them what they’re doing to protect these state-based programs with the script at this link.  

12.  Good news resisters! We have gotten under Trump’s skin and he mentioned us in his recent pro-Roy-Moore rally in Pensacola, Florida: 

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/364062-trump-supporters-chant-lock-her-up-at-campaign-rally He said we (the resistance) are resisting the will of the American people but here we are, the will of the American people! Let’s take a moment to send a postcard to Trump that says, “I am the resistance” and then we can send a Tweet with this hashtag #IAmTheResistance with a note about why we are involved at this critical time. Trump’s mailing address is: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington DC 20500

13.  According to newly released documents, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke spent over $14,000 on government helicopters to travel to and from events this summer, including “a horseback ride with Vice President Mike Pence.”

 https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/07/ryan-zinke-helicopters-dc-212730 Let’s contact our MoC to ask them what they’ve done to rein in wasteful government spending like this.

14.  While the official death toll in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria is only 62, The New York Times is now reporting that the real death toll may be over 1000.       

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/08/us/puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-death-toll.html Let’s contact our MoC to let them know that we have forgotten about this and that we still expect accountability on this administration’s ineffective response to this disaster.

15.  Oxfam America is reporting terrible conditions for poultry workers in the U.S.A. 

https://www.oxfamamerica.org/press/follow-up-investigation-by-the-government-accountability-office-confirms-that-poultry-processing-plants-create-a-climate-of-fear-where-workers-are-afraid-to-speak-out/ Let’s contact our MoC to ask them what they’re doing to ensure the well-being of our workers.

16.  The appalling sloppiness of the Republican tax plan—prepared hastily without meaningful consultation, public or otherwise, and distributed (in the Senate’s case) an hour before the vote, with handwritten revisions—may not explain its penalizing of earned income, but hopefully some Republican lawmakers will realize the gross injustice of a plan in which, for the first time in one hundred years, “Wage income will be the highest taxed income,” according to John L. Buckley, a chief of staff for Congress’s Joint Committee on Taxation in the 1990s. That is, of course, the form of income more than 80 percent of working Americans get. As Buckley explains, in this plan “Somebody working for a wage gets a higher tax rate than somebody doing the same job under a different legal structure.” 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/09/business/economy/tax-plans-may-give-your-co-worker-a-better-deal-than-you.html  This is only one way in which the GOP tax bill will exacerbate already growing inequality in the US.  Vox outlines—and charts—the future disparities: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/12/2/16720952/senate-tax-bill-inequality Perhaps we can call on the decency, morality, honor, righteousness the Republicans so loudly claim to dissuade them from voting Yes on this bill.

17.   A bill introduced by the House GOP in early December would eliminate the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and overhaul student loan repayment plans, making higher education that much more unattainable http://wapo.st/2AVkqEj http://bit.ly/2iOWtV8 Let's call our representative and ask them to oppose the PROSPER Act (H.R. 4508) 

18.  “Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said on Sunday that any woman who has felt violated or mistreated by a man has every right to speak up, even if she is accusing President Donald Trump.”  https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-politics-misconduct/haley-women-accusers-should-be-heard-even-if-trump-is-target-idUSKBN1E40MH  Let’s thank her for speaking out:  https://usun.state.gov/contact    

Election 2017/2018

1.       Election Day in Alabama is TOMORROW, and new reports have revealed yet another reason why it’s crucial for us to keep Roy Moore out of the Senate. In addition to his record of contempt for the rule of law, homophobia and sexual assault, he’s also expressed support from literally tearing up the Constitution http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/364203-moore-in-2011-interview-getting-rid-of-every-amendment-after-the-10th-would This appalling position pits Moore against not just former U.S. attorney and prosecutor of KKK terrorists Doug Jones, but also the abolition of slavery, equal protection under the law, and the right to vote for people of color and women. Let’s make sure we get out the vote for Doug Jones!  Here are some approved ways we can help:  A) We can still help the NAACP phone bank to turn out African-American voters at http://ppldemand.nationbuilder.com/phonebanks,  B) If we can drive folks to the polls on Election Day Dec12, let’s let the campaign know by emailing rides@dougjonesforsenate, C) if you need a ride or can provide a ride, click here: http://carpoolvote.com , D) Sign up to textbank here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeg9seiN6-Tcwqm2DsSVqC3SR5Wd0JdoLTUYmhFnFfkS-yP2Q/viewform   (works via Hustle system), E) Sign up to phonebank here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/_1RIkfAgCUa3qVsIeYnCDw2 (works via Hubdialer system), and F)  If we are in Alabama, Mobile needs volunteers to phone bank and canvass. If we canvass, we will get addresses of voters who have voted Democratic in the past two elections. Before setting out, we will get training, an app to download and a partner to work with.  To volunteer, please contact:  julie@theredsari.com or taylor@dougjonesforsenate.com

2.      While we are not all lucky enough to be able to vote for Doug Jones on Thursday, we can “vote” with our wallets and let Alabama know that we will not be traveling to/in their state or spending money there.  Let’s tell the Alabama Tourism Department:  http://tourism.alabama.gov/contact-us/ and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama: https://alabamachambers.org/members/

3.      There is another election tomorrow that needs our help:  Candidate Ben Chin is a young, progressive candidate for Mayor of Lewiston, Maine, which has been in rightist Republican hands.  Ben is just the sort of candidate we can support. The campaign is looking for help during a very targeted GOTV window: TODAY, Monday from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. If we give just an hour it will make an impact on this race.  Lewiston is Gov. LePage's home.  Maine is a Susan Collins' state. Time to wake them up. We can sign up to make phone calls here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAerWOirlTB_CwosS5N7c8B3WljT98yUxwVEdia_aoecUQ1Q/viewform and we can find out more about Ben here:  http://benchinformayor.com/

 Other Actions

1.      There is more saber-rattling from the Trump camp that is raising concern that he may fire Special Counsel Robert Mueller. MoveOn.Org has reactivated their rapid response plan should this constitutional crisis come to pass: https://act.moveon.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response-events/search/ Let’s be ready to respond. If we find ourselves wondering if this is hyperbolic, President Obama warned late last week in a speech about the dangers of advancing on the path towards 1930’s Germany: http://time.com/5057325/barack-obama-nazi-germany/

2.      The fires in southern California are devastating.   Here’s how we can help:   https://www.fastcompany.com/40505480/how-to-help-california-fire-victims-11-things-you-can-do-for-ventura-and-l-a-right-now

3.      There is a very good chance that Rev. William Barber is the new Martin Luther King. Jr.  with his rhetoric and his Poor People’s Campaign.  https://poorpeoplescampaign.org/  Let’s follow him on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RevDrBarber/ and https://www.facebook.com/anewppc/ and https://www.facebook.com/brepairers

4.      The DNC’s Unity Reform Commission has a survey for us to share our input.  Let’s help:  http://my.democrats.org/page/s/2017-unity-survey

5.      “Served with a generous helping of humor and seasoned with personal anecdotes, "The Resistance Cookbook: Nasty Women and Bad Hombres in the Kitchen" gives readers a chance to reflect on the political and cultural changes of the past year, while enjoying such dishes as Comey Testimony Minestrone, Conspiracy Cake with Indictment Icing, and Impeach Mint Mojitos.  The Resistance Cookbook: Nasty Women and Bad Hombres in the Kitchen, edited by Joan Berglund and Pamela Lowell, features 100 recipes contributed by members of Action Together Massachusetts (ATMA), the state-wide social and political action organization borne out of the results of the 2016 Presidential election.  All proceeds from The Resistance Cookbook go directly towards ATMA's work to support and empower the activists who are toiling on the front lines of the Resistance every day. Join in cooking up resistance today!”  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-resistance-cookbook-action-together-massachusetts/1127599254 and https://www.amazon.com/Resistance-Cookbook-Nasty-Hombres-Kitchen-ebook/dp/B077YCYTL8/ref=asap_bc  Print editions coming soon.

Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to attend/organize

1.       “WOMEN LEAD THE WAY: Fight the GOP Tax Scam! Dec. 13, 2017:  Republicans are pushing hard to pass this tax bill fast, whether the American people want it or not. THIS WEDNESDAY, leaders from the Women's March, Center for Popular Democracy, Housing Works, and others will come together to say NO to Trump's brazen attempt to steal from the poor and middle class in order to enrich himself and Republican donors. We are going to stand up and fight for health care, for women's economic rights, against crushing student debt, and for a fairer, more equitable nation.  JOIN US • December 13, 2017 • Washington DC • ONE DAY after Alabama special election.”  Sign up here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccXhs6Dr8H9n79phw6hUmmJtMJUkJbLunLriCnaoT0IeMvZQ/viewform

States

1.       FL” “1 in 10 Florida adults is banned from voting because of a past conviction. Florida is one of only four states that permanently takes away their vote. We need 275,389more Florida registered voters to sign this petition by February 1st, 2018 to put an initiative on the ballot that would restore their ability to vote.”

2.      MI:  Rep. John Conyers (R-MI) announced that he was leaving Congress following accusations of sexual harassment.  Instead of filling his seat in a timely manner, the governor of Michigan, Rick Snyder (R) has chosen to instead to use the regular election schedule to fill the position, so the election will not be until November 2018 leaving most of Detroit without representation for nearly a year.  https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/sexual-misconduct/after-john-conyers-resigns-his-congressional-seat-will-remain-vacant-n828076   We are pretty sure he would not have made the same decision had the seat been held by a Republican. It is time to contact Snyder and ask him to fix this now:  http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277--267869--,00.html Let’s contact the Lt. Governor as well:  http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-73341_73346---,00.html

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, " This week, as Trump’s lawyers sought to maneuver around two unfolding stories that could engulf the regime — obstruction of justice and Mueller’s Deutsche Bank subpoena — Trump made radical, devastating moves. Trump forcefully backed an accused pedophile, signed off on the largest elimination of protected land in US history, and recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital — all while he continued to disparage the FBI, DOJ, and our free press. Almost a year into office, Trump’s popularity continues to fall, and he has yet to move forward beyond campaign rhetoric. As his inner-circle continues to shrink, Trump takes actions which move our country towards isolationism, corruption, and kleptocracy. The growing #MeToo movement of accountability for sexual misconduct led to the first political resignations this week. More are expected, as the drumbeat for accountability for Trump’s past actions grows louder."  Let's review Amy Siskind's list week 56. 

2.      “The Department of Veterans Affairs has reversed course on a plan to essentially end a $460 million program that helps provide housing to homeless veterans after facing blowback when news of the decision broke.”  http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/363803-va-reverses-decision-to-cut-homeless-veteran-housing-program-after  

3.      As always, our weekly dose of Small Victories: http://mailchi.mp/peaceisloud/small-victories-tyrants-always-fall?e=86890239c4