2/26/18
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1.
This
week in Congress. The House will be voting on ten (10) bills this week with
seven (7) coming up on Monday and three (3) on Tuesday.
Let's check out the Majority
Leader's Schedule so
we know what's coming.
2.
On
Monday, the Senate will convene at 3pm and resume consideration of
the nomination of Elizabeth Branch, of Georgia, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for
the Eleventh Circuit per the Senate floor schedule. After reviewing Branch’s record,
Alliance for Justice has concerns regarding her views on substantive due
process under the 14th Amendment. We can read their report here. Branch is expected to be confirmed.
3.
The
Washington Post is reporting that this coming week, House Democrats will
introduce a new assault weapons ban (https://twitter.com/JStein_WaPo/status/967195043084820480). This is common sense legislation that
is proven to help reduce mass shootings. Here’s
a list of
House members who have signed on to the bill. If our rep is on there, let’s
call them and thank them. If not, let’s call them and tell them we want them to
co-sponsor this legislation whether they’re Democrats or Republicans.
4.
Congress
has a week to save the DREAMers before DACA ends. Due to pending court action, it is unclear
what will happen should no legislation pass.
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/2/16/17015818/daca-deadline-trump-dreamers-march-5 Let’s continue to let our MoCs know that
this is important to us and most Americans.
We want the DREAMers and their families to stay with a clear path to citizenship.
5.
From
Indivisible: "The week of March 5, the Senate is expected to
vote on S.
2155, a
bill that would drastically reduce oversight of big banks such as Deutsche Bank
and Santander and roll back key consumer protections. You can use our explainer
and call script (http://bit.ly/2ERXdSQ) to learn more and tell your Senator to vote
no on S. 2155." **Let's also note that 12 Democratic senators have
cosponsored the bill. If our senator is one of those cosponsors, let's be sure
to give them a call to tell them we oppose this legislation and we want them to
oppose it as well: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2155/cosponsors
6.
As we
support the Stoneman Douglas survivors, let's also remember that it is not only
AR-15s and mass shootings which are a problem in the U.S., but the
accessibility and number of handguns as well. Vox has a helpful article which
addresses the heart of the problem, then details what we must do to solve
it http://bit.ly/2BJhYBd Let's take advantage of the
momentum these amazing young activists have created, and push for gun reform
which would significantly decrease the number of firearm deaths in the United
States. This means not only asking for a ban on AR-15s and bump stocks, but on
limiting access for (or banning) all semi-automatic firearms.
7.
From one
of our own: Check out H.R.
986. This legislation is pretty important, given
the number of anecdotes I hear detailing unfair treatment faced by Tribal employees.
I see a lot of opportunity for Tribal members to organize resources and power
to do something about their struggles. This bill could take that right away. The
bill says, "This bill amends the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to
exclude Native American tribes and tribal enterprises and institutions on
tribal land from requirements for employers under the NLRA. (Currently under
the NLRA, employers may not engage in unfair labor practices and must allow
employees to form unions, engage in collective bargaining, and take collective
action.)" Contact your US rep and
see where they stand on this and encourage them to oppose it.
8.
On
Saturday afternoon, California Representative Adam Schiff released the White
House redacted version of the Democratic counter-memo to the Nunes memo:
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/375452-house-intel-dems-release-countermemo Not surprisingly, it shows Devin Nunes’
actions for what they were: craven and unpatriotic – along with deceptive.
Let’s let Rep. Nunes know that this nation needs him to resign: https://nunes.house.gov/contact/ Let’s tell Rep. Paul Ryan the same
thing: https://paulryan.house.gov/contact/
9.
The
president’s latest attack on Obamacare is a proposal that would loosen
restrictions on short-term health insurance plans, allowing many to buy “skinny
plans” with less coverage for up to a year. (The current limit is 3 months). http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/375280-short-term-insurance-plans-are-another-assault-on-obamacare. These less-regulated plans can exempt
people for pre-existing conditions and charge high deductibles and out of
pocket costs; yet, since they are cheaper, they are likely to attract healthier
people, which would drive up the premium costs of Obamacare plans for everyone
else. Let’s let the White House and our MoCs know that we are against these
continued attacks on Obamacare.
Election 2018 –
General
Election 2018 –
By State
1.
CT: If we live in Connecticut State House District 120, let’s make sure we get to the polls and
vote for Phil
Young.
2.
KY: If we live in Kentucky State House District 89, let’s cast our ballots for Kelly Smith.
3.
NH: f we live in New Hampshire State House District Belknap 3, let’s get out and vote for Phil
Spagnuolo.
Other Actions
1.
Correction: Last week a group of television writers,
directors, and producers headed by Warren Leight (from Law & Order: SVU)
approached Amazon.com to ask that it stop streaming NRAtv, the public
entertainment mouthpiece of the National Rifle Association. The channel is
available for free and exists to spread pro-gun content from the likes of Dana
Loesch and Oliver North. Let's support Leight and his group by joining with
Everytown for Gun Safety and sign this petition tell streaming services to dump
NRATV: http://act.everytown.org/sign/tell-streaming-services-its-time-to-drop-nratv_ET
2.
With
Parkland Students are leading the way, students are starting to organize
against gun violence. As we see them organize events like school walkouts and
marches, we want to be effective allies for them, helping them to succeed and
to grow into a generation of committed, effective activists. This Youth
Empowerment Guide gives us tip sheets and guidelines to do just that. We can
check it out here: https://www.youthempowerment.com/
3.
It was a
very busy weekend in terms of the advancements of the Parkland students
activists and of consumer pressure to get many companies to end discount
partnerships with the NRA: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-guns-students/florida-students-take-on-nra-set-eyes-on-midterm-elections-idUSKCN1G80GT and https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-guns-boycott/delta-united-airlines-become-latest-companies-to-cut-nra-ties-idUSKCN1G80VP Think Progress has been keeping
track of the corporate changes regarding NRA partnership and we can sign up to
receive updates (within link – and there’s also a great graphic showing
progress with companies): https://thinkprogress.org/corporations-nra-f0d8074f2ca7/ While an NRA boycott won’t substitute
for gun control legislation, we need to keep the pressure on the big companies
like FedEx (800.463.3339 or @FedEx ), Amazon ((206) 266-1000 or @Amazon), and Visa (800-847-2911 or @Visa) to cease doing business with the
NRA.
4.
Yet
another creative way to resist with food and socializing: https://jenniferhofmann.com/creating-resilience-20-20-potlucks-cause/ Let’s
see if we can use these tips to start our own group. h/t to Jennifer Hoffman
5.
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 special
election TOMORROW in New Hampshire (http://www.wmur.com/article/nh-primary-source-substance-misuse-recovery-coach-spagnuolo-plans-run-for-nh-house/13095593). Let’s give him a hand! We can find
instructions on how to phone bank voters for him at http://tinyurl.com/codebluenh.
6.
Democrats
have Connecticut’s congressional delegation locked up, but the state
legislature is a different story, with only a seven-seat Democratic majority in
the House and 18 senators from each party. TOMORROW, we have a chance to
pick up a House seat Republicans have held for 44 years in a special election (https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Hopefuls-hunt-for-voters-12604272.php). Let’s help get out the vote for Democrat
and former Stratford town council member Phil Young! We can help phone bank for
him at
this link.
7.
Colleges across the country have responded by
reassuring students that any disciplinary action resulting from peaceful
protests will not be held against them in the admissions process. Those of us with college degrees should
contact our alma maters and ask them to do the same. Celeste Pewter and Cassie McDaniel have put together a sample letter we can send, and we can see a running list of schools
that have put out statements (and help make sure it’s up to date) here and at this website.
8.
Postcards
to Voters' Campaign
57 is
for Democrat Tom Swisstack running for mayor of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, outside
of Albuquerque. This campaign is available via ABBY (text)
only. Returning writers may text WIN to (484) ASK-ABBY which
is (484)
275-2229 and
get addresses right away, 24/7 with an emailed courtesy copy for added
convenience. If we are new to this effective grassroots effort,
we can still email: Join@TonyTheDemocrat.org OR text JOIN to (484)
ASK-ABBY to get started.
9.
The
special election for Kentucky House District #89 will be held TOMORROW,
and the Democrats have nominated university librarian and progressive activist
Kelly Smith to face off against Republican Robert Goforth. Smith is running to
fight back against education funding cuts and privatization and wants to push
for everyone to pay their fair share (http://www.richmondregister.com/opinion/brosi-kelly-smith-emerges-for-th-district/article_35a6abc8-082c-11e8-b6eb-1fd646f6dc57.html). Let’s help her out! We can sign up to help
phone bank for her at this
link.
10. If we are active on Social Media, we can join
Crowd Rescue, an online volunteer disaster relief support group, help the
people of Puerto Rico, many of whom still need access to find food, water
shelter months after the devastating Hurricane Maria struck. We can share this
ground conditions map, so that more people will be aware of the problems our
fellow Americans still face there: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=24da7c00f59a4876989c4e7b02e0a3ab&extent=-7550145.754%2C1989803.0956%2C-7256627.5654%2C2138702.4267%2C102100 If we
want to do more, we can find a Municipality that needs aid, and volunteer
to help secure assistance for them. We can read more about this project
here: http://www.crowdrescuehq.org/onwardmuni If
we’d like to help or know others who could, we can email them at crowdrescuehq@gmail.com.If we are interested in volunteering to help
support disaster relief in Puerto Rico, and in other areas as the need arises,
we can find out more and contact them here:
11.
Most
states use a “winner take all” approach to Electoral College votes rather than
a percentage based on the popular vote. “A
coalition of prominent law firms and professors has filed four federal lawsuits
claiming the winner-take-all system of electoral college voting distorts
presidential campaigns and violates the U.S. Constitution.” http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/winner-take-all_electoral_college_system_is_unconstitutional_say_suits_by_b/ Let’s keep an eye on these cases that could
change how we elect a president.
12. The net neutrality legal battle has now
kicked into action. Now that the FCC’s decision repealing net neutrality
has been published in the Federal Register, the clock has started ticking and
there is a 60-day window until the rules officially go into effect on April
23. In other words, the states, attorneys general, and Congress have
about two months to act. Several net neutrality supporters and attorneys
general in 23 states have already filed suits against the FCC. Congress
can also act to overturn the regulation. Currently 50 senators (49 Democrats
and Susan Collins) have registered their opposition and we need just one more
senator’s support to push forward a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Resolution
to override the regulatory rule. Net neutrality advocates are planning
an Internet-wide day of action: Operation: #OneMoreVote, on Feb.
27.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/16/all-of-the-senate-democrats-support-net-neutrality-bringing-total-to-50.html. Get involved at:
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to
attend/organize
1.
March
1
- With students everywhere organizing
against gun violence, some school administrations are threatening to punish
them for participating in democracy (http://time.com/5171089/texas-school-threatens-suspend-students-protest/). Let’s make sure
the students, educators, and allies we know get this guide to
student protest rights from the ACLU and know to contact their state ACLU affiliates if their
rights are violated, and that they get the chance to sign up for
an ACLU “Know Your Rights” training conference call on
THURSDAY at 8 PM.
2.
United We Dream, along with a coalition of other
organizations, is asking that we take action on March 5th to
protect immigrant youth in the U.S. There will be a march in Washington, D.C.,
along with various actions across the country, where we will put pressure on
Congress to pass legislation to protect DACA recipients and their families.
Let's make sure that we support immigrants and participate in one of these
actions on March 5th. We can check out the event page for the march https://www.facebook.com/events/405219576614863/ Then, let's
make sure that our local communities and action groups plan to participate in
the day of action.
3.
“Women’s March Youth EMPOWER is calling for
students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in
a #NationalSchoolWalkoutfor 17 minutes at 10am across every time zone on March
14, 2018 to protest Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and
prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods.” More info here: https://www.womensmarch.com/enough/ and here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1767175080245694/ Let’s check
locally to see how we can take part.
4. “On March
24, the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the
streets of Washington DC to demand that their lives and safety become a
priority and that we end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools today. March with us in Washington DC or march in
your own community.” We can find more
information and locations of sister marches here: https://www.marchforourlives.com/ and here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/marchforourlives/events/
5.
As we head towards the 2018 midterms, it's crucial
that we remember our MoC who voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and
that we make sure that they do not change the rhetoric regarding the bill http://nyti.ms/2ECd7Az Polling is
already showing that while only a third of Americans were in favor of the bill
when it passed, the number has risen to 51%. We can help remind constituents
across the country of the realities of the bill, and the way it was passed, by
hosting a Tax Day 2018 event on April 15th:
6.
https://action.notonepenny.org/page/s/host-an-event We can also
double check to see how our members of Congress voted on the bill. House:
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/115-2017/h699 Senate: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/115-2017/s323
7.
Network for Public
Education is calling
“for mass action on April 20, the anniversary of the horrific
shootings at Columbine High School. We urge teachers, families, students,
administrators and every member of the community to engage in acts of protest
in and around their schools. Create actions that work best in your community.
Organize sit-ins, teach-ins, walkouts, marches–whatever you decide will
show your school and community’s determination to keep our students
safe.” More information here: https://networkforpubliceducation.org/national-day-action/
States
1.
MOST: Four northeast states (RI, NY, NJ & CT)
have chosen to work together to address the federal vacuum in gun legislation
by sharing their databases of people who are considered unfit to buy guns in
their state, sharing information on illegal gun tracking, and collaborating on
regional gun violence research. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/22/nyregion/four-northeast-states-pledge-to-share-gun-safety-data.html. Those of us who live in other states in the
Northeast should urge our governors to join this regional initiative, and those
of us in other regions should urge our governors to form similar efforts with
neighboring states. We can find our governor’s contact information here. https://www.usa.gov/state-governor
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, "On a holiday week with Congress out of session, gun control
and the Mueller probe dominated the headlines and the country’s
attention." Let's review Amy
Siskind's list week 67.
2.
Finally,
an article about what the #Resistance really looks like: “tens of thousands of
... women, mostly mothers and grandmothers ranging in age from their 30s to
70s, are fueling an American political transformation that most media outlets
are systematically missing, or at least misreading.” We look forward to more articles
about us, and everyone fighting for our democracy! https://democracyjournal.org/arguments/middle-america-reboots-democracy/
3.
And, as usual, our weekly dose of Small
Victories: https://mailchi.mp/peaceisloud/small-victories-we-call-bs?e=86890239c4
