5/7/20
NATIONAL
ISSUES
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VOTE
AGAINST CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE JUSTIN WALKER AND INVESTIGATE UNETHICAL ACTIONS
BY SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL TO FURTHER PACK FEDERAL COURTS: A group called Demand Justice has filed a legal
complaint and asked the courts to investigate the sudden retirement of a judge
on the DC Court of Appeals leaving Trump an opening to nominate young conservative
judge while he and the Republican Senate is still in power. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/04/us/politics/senate-confirmation-justin-walker.html?.
Despite the ongoing investigation into the allegations that Senate Majority
Leader Mitch McConnell acted unethically in persuading the former judge on the
court to retire, the confirmation hearing is still scheduled to begin in a
couple of days. Let’s tell our Senators to vote against this confirmation,
especially in light of the circumstances surrounding this supposed sudden
opening on the court.
NO PAYROLL
TAX CUT IN NEXT CORONAVIRUS RELIEF BILL: Trump is insisting that a payroll tax cut is a “must-have” in the
next, as yet unwritten, coronavirus relief bill; this tax, paid by both
employees and employers, is essential to the long-term health of Social
Security and Medicare: https://thehill.com/policy/finance/496286-battle-brewing-over-how-to-get-more-relief-money-to-americans
We have long known that Republicans would love to see these “entitlement” programs
fail; Trump and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin know that a payroll tax cut
offers a way to kill two birds with one stone: such a cut would put
billions into the pockets of some businesses while simultaneously decimating
Social Security just at the moment when it is most critical to the aging
population. What it would not do is put significant money in the hands of
the individual consumers on whom Trump is counting to save the economy: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertfarrington/2020/05/04/the-winners-and-losers-of-trumps-payroll-tax-cut-proposal/#4d5dfffb3a16
Even some Republicans are balking. Let’s make it clear to our MoCs
that NO payroll tax cut is our “must-have.”
NATIVE
AMERICANS AND COVID: Navajo Nation is one of the worst hotspots
for COVID-19 in the entire United States, and poverty and underlying health
conditions make many Native Americans particularly vulnerable to this
disease. But tribes are being forced to deal with far too much red tape to get
the resources they've been allocated to fight the pandemic, and they already
weren't given as much funding as they needed. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/495887-underfunded-native-nations-battle-coronavirus-outbreaks
When medical supplies were requested for Native Americans in Washington state,
body bags were sent instead. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/native-american-health-center-asked-covid-19-supplies-they-got-n1200246
Let's contact our members of Congress and tell them we want them to help
break down the obstacles to tribal governments getting the support they've
been appropriated and to fight for more funding for their efforts in future
coronavirus relief bills.
CALL THE
HOUSE TO DEMAND PROTECTION FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS: Essential workers are on the frontlines of this
pandemic, with many working in high-risk conditions without appropriate
equipment, safety standards, or job protections. These workers put their lives
on the line every day, and we must do all we can to protect their health and
financial security. Fortunately, Senator Elizabeth Warren has a plan to
ensure our workers get what they need: 1) Truly universal paid sick leave
and family and medical leave, health and safety protections, including personal
protective equipment (PPE) provided by employers at no cost to workers, 2)
Protections for collective bargaining agreements & whistleblowers with
safety concerns.care security to ensure all essential workers get the care they
need during this crisis, regardless of their immigration status.3) Robust
funding to help struggling child care providers during this pandemic and
reliable, safe, healthy, and high-quality child care for essential workers. https://www.businessinsider.com/elizabeth-warren-plan-essential-workers-coronavirus-higher-wages-sick-leave-2020-4 When we click this link, we can get key
talking points and be connected to our Representatives to demand the House pass
protection for essential workers: https://elizabethwarren.com/action/essential-workers/call-for-bor
NO LIABILITY
PROTECTION FOR BUSINESSES:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced his opposition to what he
calls “a blue state bailout”—leaving coronavirus hot spots like NY and NJ, if
they happen to be led by Democrats, to adopt extreme austerity measures to
compensate for public health costs; now, he has announced that liability
protection for businesses constitutes a Republican “red line” in plans for a
third coronavirus relief package: https://www.usnews.com/news/economy/articles/2020-05-05/liability-protection-looms-over-next-coronavirus-stimulus-package Such
protections from liability would leave vulnerable workers—like those Trump has
forced back to work in meat processing plants—with no recourse if their
employers fail to ensure workplace safety. We must make our opposition
to liability protection for employers known by our MoCs in no uncertain
terms. And we might make our views known, too, to the US Chamber of
Commerce, which shares McConnell’s view: https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/05/05/850720292/u-s-chamber-of-commerce-businesses-are-worried-about-getting-sued-as-they-reopen;
the Chamber can be contacted at 202-659-6000 or 1615 H Street, NW, Washington
DC 20062-2000
RACIAL
DISPARITIES/COVID-19: Senator
Kamala Harris and Representative Robin Kelly have introduced the COVID-19
Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force Act to both chambers of
Congress (https://bit.ly/35Jke8Q).
The legislation would "require the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) to establish an interagency task force of policy experts, community
leaders, and government officials to make data-driven recommendations to
federal agencies about directing crucial resources—like testing kits, testing
supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE)—to communities with racial
and ethnic disparities in COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and death
rates," (https://bit.ly/3cczHk3). The
bill has not yet been numbered, but let's take the time to read through it, then tell our MoC that we want them to
cosponsor and support this crucial legislation.
VOTE BY
MAIL: “If the federal and state governments do not
prepare to hold general elections amid the coronavirus pandemic, the United
States government could be forced to rely on rules of succession that have
never been used, in circumstances the framers never imagined.” https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/what-if-coronavirus-cancels-election-answer-will-make-you-want-ncna1195791 We’ve relied on vote-by-mail for our military
since after the Civil War. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-voting-by-mail-bad-but-troops-vote-that-way-2020-4 Let’s remind our MoCs (federal and state)
that it is time to move to this safer way of voting.
#FREEBLACKMAMAS: National Bail Out is a collective of organizations,
including Color of Change, Dream Defenders, The Movement for Black Lives, and
others, who focus on pretrial detention and mass incarceration. They provide
fellowship and run projects such as the annual Mama's
Bail Out Day, which posts bail for mothers who would otherwise be separated
from their children on Mother's Day. For those of us who are able,
let's be sure to help get these moms home to their families this Mother's
Day: bit.ly/freeblackmamas2020
ICE IS
BRINGING COVID TO SMALL TOWNS: ICE’s
policy of transferring detainees to detention centers in the rural south is
bringing increased incidences of COVID and overwhelming the medical support
structures in these communities. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/05/05/coronavirus-ice-detention-rural-communities-186688.
This is one more reason to tell our MoCs and state legislators to speak out
publicly on releasing all ICE detainees that do not have violent criminal records,
rather than randomly transferring them to sensitive and vulnerable rural areas.
HHS
WHISTLEBLOWER: Dr. Rick
Bright, former director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and
Development Authority (BARDA), released a statement claiming that he was removed
from his positions at the Department of Health and Human Services and
"involuntarily transferred," after resisting pressure to promote
widespread use of hydroxychloroquine (https://bit.ly/2Lib1el). Dr. Bright is requesting that the
Inspector General of the HHS investigate "the manner in which this
Administration has politicized the work of BARDA and has pressured [him] and
other conscientious scientists to fund companies with political connections as
well as efforts that lack scientific merit," (https://cnn.it/2W8xOiR).Acting
HHS Inspector General Christi Grimm is also set to be replaced after publishing a report that detailed
shortages of personal protective equipment throughout the U.S. Let's
contact the office of the Inspector General, and ask them to begin an
investigation ASAP: Office of the Inspector General, 330 Independence
Avenue, S.W.; Washington, D.C. 20201, Phone Number: (202) 619-3148.
THE LINCOLN
PROJECT’S LATEST VIDEO: A
prominent and motley crew of Never Trumper Republicans called The Lincoln Project have released their
latest anti-Trump video titled “Mourning in America” and in the wee hours of
Tuesday morning, Trump went on a Tweet rage about it: https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-s-twitter-rant-against-lincoln-project-s-mourning-america-ncna1200881 Let’s share the video via social
media to keep it front and center and under the skin of our unfit leader:
https://lincolnproject.us/news/mourning-america/
ELECTION/VOTING
REMINDER: Regularly check your voter registration
status. States are purging voters routinely--you don't want to get caught
off guard. Take 1 minute and check right now: I Will Vote Then, check how to vote by mail in your
state. Many rules have changed due to the pandemic and you may be able to
vote with a mailed ballot. Find your state's latest voting rules here: How to Vote By Mail in Every State
CALIFORNIA
SPECIAL ELECTION: The New York Times has declared
Tuesday's special election for the House seat in California's 25th District to
be a "microcosm of the country's politics amid the health crisis" and
"an early test of Trump's sway." Trump is pushing hard for the
Republican, conservative defense contractor Mike Garcia, while everyone from
Hillary to Elizabeth Warren to Barack Obama is backing Democratic Assemblywoman
Christy Smith (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/us/politics/california-christy-smith-mike-garcia-trump.html).
We have an opportunity to send a message to the country - let's make sure
it's the right one by volunteering to make phone calls or text for Christy
Smith here.
HELP
UNSEAT A GOP SENATOR: A new poll came out in Iowa suggesting that
Senator Joni Ernst may be more vulnerable than previously thought. Ernst, who
has marched in lockstep with Mitch McConnell in backing Trump and cutting taxes
for the wealthy, has only a 37% approval rating, and led the Democratic
frontrunner by only one point. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/495937-poll-ernst-lead-evaporates-in-iowa-senate-race Let's take action to help unseat Joni
Ernst. We can donate to a fund for the Democratic nominee being selected June
2nd here.
VOTE BY
MAIL FLORIDA. Postcards to Voters'
volunteers continue to write to Florida registered Democrats to encourage them
to enroll in Vote By Mail. The campaign continues with St. Lucie County (Port
St. Lucie area) on the Southeast coast. Let's request 5 addresses today
to help with this effort. #MailTheVoteFL
NEBRASKA
PRIMARY: TUES. MAY 12. Nebraska
is forging ahead with plans to hold the nation’s first in-person election in
more than a month, despite health concerns about the coronavirus pandemic and
allegations that political motivations are fueling opposition to an all-mail
approach. We can read more at Time. If
we are Nebraska voters, let's make a plan to vote as safely as we can.
WEST
VIRGINIA PRIMARY: JUNE 9. The
West Virginia primary originally schedule for May 12 has been postponed to June
9. Over one million registered voters in West Virginia have or will be
receiving absentee ballot applications in the mail, allowing them the
opportunity to apply to vote by mail in this year’s primary election. We can
read more at WV Metro News. If we are West Virginia voters, let's
make a plan to return our ballots quickly after we receive them.
CALIFORNIA
SPECIAL ELECTION. In-person
voting kicked off Saturday, May 2 for the May 12 special election in
California's 25th District to fill Katie Hill's seat. The district includes
parts of northern LA County including Santa Clarita, Palmdale and Lancaster, as
well as parts of Ventura County near Simi Valley. Postcard to Voters'
volunteers wrote to get out the vote for Democrat Christy Smith (Campaign 198). We
can read more at abc7. If we are voters in this district, let's make
a plan to vote as safely as we can.
WISCONSIN
SPECIAL ELECTION. The
Wisconsin Elections Commission reports that more than 44% of people who
requested absentee ballots for a May 12 special congressional election in
northern Wisconsin have returned them. (Source: WMTV nbc15) Postcards to Voters' volunteers wrote to
Democratic voters in this district with Campaign
199: Tricia Zunker for Congress. If we are Wisconsin 7th congressional
district voters, let's mark and return our absentee ballots today or make a
plan to vote as safely as we can on Tuesday, May 12.
TURN PA
BLUE POSTCARD KIT: Turn PA
Blue, https://turnpablue.org/ ,
needs us to write postcards to Pennsylvania voters and get them to sign up for
mail-in ballots. Let’s order our kits today and help flip PA
blue! https://turn-pa-blue.myshopify.com/products/turn-pa-blue-postcard-kit-package-of-50
STATE/LOCAL
MA--SUBMIT COMMENTS TO THE RE-OPENING TASK FORCE, ADVOCATING
FOR EXTREME CAUTION: Massachusetts has put together a task force, which is
collecting feedback to develop a plan to “re-open” the state. Let’s make sure
to tell them it would be extremely dangerous and premature to reopen business
before, at the very least, 14 consecutive days of downward trending infection
and death rates and insist that they make public health, their primary
consideration, not the economy. We can submit comments on this form.
MI—NO GUNS IN THE STATE CAPITOL: “Michigan Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer wants to bar weapons from being brought into the state Capitol
after anti-lockdown protesters showed up with firearms, she told NBC News in a
wide-ranging interview.” https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/michigan-gov-whitmer-wants-ban-guns-capitol-after-armed-anti-n1200296 Let’s let our state MoCs know that we
agree with Governor Whitmer. Guns are
not allowed in our courts nor in the U.S. Congress. They are not necessary in our state Capitol
building either.
RALLIES/GATHERINGS/TRAININGS/GROUP ACTIONS/TWEETSTORMS
SOCIAL
MEDIA STRATEGIES WEBINAR: Today, May 7 at 5pm ET - “With no opportunity for in-person
campaign activities, the ability to connect with your base over social media is
more valuable than ever. Ampersand Strategies President Josh Nanberg
talks to Beth Becker, founder of Becker Digital Strategies, about social media
strategy for nonprofit, advocacy, and political clients.” We can
sign up here for
this free webinar.
REPRODUCTIVE
ACCESS IN THE COVID AGE WEBINAR: “Please join The Women's March and #VOTEPROCHOICE for a webinar
discussing the fight for reproductive freedom in this time. An expert panel
will cover the status of COVID abortion bans in various states, the upcoming
Supreme Court ruling in June and more. Additionally, the panel will provide
solutions for those working to access services and other practical actions we
can all take.” The webinar is today, May 7 at 8pm ET. They highly
encourage candidates, current officeholders (especially those in the six states
with current abortion bans AL, IA, OH, OK, TN + TX), and all others who
are concerned about ensuring fair access to reproductive health services. We can RSVP here: https://bit.ly/WMReproWebinar
GET
TRAINED IN VIRTUAL FUNDRAISING: If we are running for office, working on a campaign, or building our
local party’s or organization’s infrastructure, we need to raise money, but how
can we do this when we can’t meet in person? The National Democratic Training
Committee is here to help! We can join them on Friday, May 8th from
1pm-2pm EST for a free virtual live training on “Fundraising When You Can’t
Meet in Person”. During this fundraising session, their trainer will
train us on effective best practices to raise money when we can’t meet in
person and answer our questions. An email with directions and login information
will be sent out by prior to the virtual live training. We can sign up
for this Virtual Fundraising Live Training On Zoom, Friday May 8, 2020 from
1:00pm - 2:00pm (ET) here: https://traindemocrats.org/event/fundraising-when-you-cant-meet-in-person-05-08-2020/
ACLU
SMART JUSTICE CAMPAIGN WEBINAR: The ACLU Smart Justice campaign has decided
to host a digital day of action titled “Uniting for Pretrial Reform” in May. It
will be online, and it will be throughout the day on May 27th. Some of
the sessions include a Q&A with ACLU staff, a tele-townhall with multiple
legislators (on the topic of pretrial reform), a storytelling panel in the
afternoon, and throughout the day there will be multiples ways to engage our
elected officials. Here’s a registration
link to sign up! https://zoom.us/webinar/register/1415859446055/WN_Wb92iZkTRGmkTJlHepNcIg We want to make sure that people feel their
voices can be heard even during this new normal phase we currently we find
ourselves in and that we advocate for the most vulnerable of us.
MASS
POOR PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY & MORAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON: “The Mass
Poor People’s Assembly & Moral March on Washington is going digital! On
June 20th, we will hold the largest digital and social media gathering
of poor and low-wealth people, moral and religious leaders, advocates, and
people of conscience in this nation’s history. A global pandemic is exposing
even more the already existing crisis of systemic racism, poverty, ecological
devastation, the war economy and militarism, and the distorted moral narrative
of religious nationalism. On June 20, the 140 million poor and low-wealth
people across this nation will be heard!”
We can sign up here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/rsvp-for-june-20-2020-mass-poor-peoples-assembly-moral-march-on-washington
READING/WATCHING/LISTENING
Everything
We Know About Covid-19 Antibody Tests (So Far) - https://www.wired.com/story/everything-we-know-about-covid-19-antibody-tests-so-far/
Colorado’s
Vote By Mail System Could Save the 2020 Election. Why Aren’t More States Using
It? - https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/vote-by-mail-like-colorado-992376/
Security
Researchers Say The Reopen America Campaign Is Being Astroturfed - https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonchandler/2020/04/24/security-researchers-say-the-reopen-america-campaign-is-being-astroturfed/#34cef30f6506
Coronavirus
may last 2 years, study warns. And its second wave could be worse. - https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/05/01/coronavirus-wont-end-2-years-worse-second-wave-study-warns/3064708001/
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We can stay up
to date on Congress by checking out their schedules. a) The House publishes
a weekly schedule at The Weekly Leader (published and dated Friday)
as well as daily schedules at The Daily Leader. b) The Senate updates
their schedule daily at the Senate Floor Schedule
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