2/2/18
Contact Federal Government Officials
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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. What exactly
is the Nunes memo, and how did it come to roil Washington so intensely? Here
are the answers to some basic questions we might have about the document and
how it came to be: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2018/02/01/heres-what-to-know-about-the-nunes-memo-and-why-democrats-are-upset-about-it/?utm_term=.4cc95d38e950 Loyal
Opposition
tells us that our House member has access to the Schiff counter-memo and that
we should tell our House Representative to read the counter-memo and support
its public dissemination if the partisan and misleading Nunes memo is released.
A script and more info can be found here:
https://www.theloyalopposition.net/daily-ctas/release-the-dem-counter-memo-to-the-nuneshoax
2.
Rep.
Paul Ryan (R-WI) could stop this memo nonsense, but it appears that he may be
complicit in some wrongdoing. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/01/29/republican-house-leaders-are-complicit-in-obstruction/?utm_term=.12050acf78b0 Let's
flood @speakerryan with calls and emails and urge him to stop
the release of the FBI bias memo. Let’s tell him that we will have to assume
his complicity, if he does not stop it.
He knows this is not how our government works. Let’s call one of his
offices: https://paulryan.house.gov/contact/officeinformation.htm
3.
It is
well known that Robert Mueller is at risk of being fired, and perhaps
prosecuted, in an effort to derail the Russia investigation. What might not be
so well known is that the Senate has already introduced two bipartisan bills to
protect Mueller from political interference, but that GOP leadership is
dragging its feet on advancing it. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whats-the-status-of-legislation-to-protect-robert-mueller-from-being-fired/ When we call our senators to express support
for the investigation, remember to specifically mention the Tillis-Coons bill (S.1741 - Special Counsel Integrity Act) and the Graham-Booker
bill (S.1735 - Special Counsel Independence Protection
Act). Let's help Robert Mueller in his
fight to help us.
4.
Due to
the new tax law, the federal government does not have enough money to continue
running without raising the debt ceiling. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/01/31/federal-debt-limit-deadline-moved-up-to-mid-march-adding-urgency-to-another-congressional-task/?utm_term=.b3443076b176 This is
just another example of the tax bill being fiscally irresponsible. Let’s let our MoCs know that this was not the
time to cut taxes, in fact, we could have done so much more that needs to be
done had taxes been raise, especially on the wealthy.
5.
The news
broke Wednesday that among his many mob-esque moves, Trump asked
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein if he is “on my team”: http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/31/politics/donald-trump-rod-rosenstein-december-meeting/index.html Let’s let Trump know that the team he
needs to be on is the country whose Constitution he swore to uphold: The White
House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20500 or on Twitter
@realDonaldTrump and then let’s thanks Deputy AG Rosenstein for persisting in
difficult times:https://www.justice.gov/contact-us
6.
Florida
Congressman Matt Gaetz invited a white supremacist to be his guest at the State
of the Union on Tuesday and then claimed to not know who he is: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/371644-gop-rep-invited-alt-right-troll-to-the-state-of-the-union and https://www.politico.com/story/2018/01/31/gaetz-florida-right-wing-troll-380577 Let’s let Rep. Gaetz know that white
supremacy is not a part of our union: https://gaetz.house.gov/contact
7.
In the
House, members across the political spectrum are lining up to support legislation that will better protect congressional
employees from sexual harassment, and ensure that the guilty members of
Congress are held financially responsible for settlements instead of the
taxpayer. In the Senate, leading Republicans like Ron Johnson and Richard
Shelby are suggesting it’s unnecessary (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article196917714.html). We can read the House Administration
committee's one page summary of H.R.4822 here. We can check out the list of 33
co-sponsors here. Let's tell our representatives that we
support H.R.4822 Let’s contact
our senators and let them know that we hear what Johnson and Shelby are saying,
and we think it’s completely necessary for members of Congress to pay for their
misconduct and for their employees to be safeguarded… and we’re insisting that
they hold a vote promptly after House passage of H.R.
4822.
8.
The Trump
administration launched a whole new division at the Department of Health and
Human Services in response to 34 complaints over the course of a full year from
health care workers (https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/01/18/HHS-creates-office-to-handle-health-workers-religious-moral-complaints/1231516295631/). The FBI reported at least three times that many hate crimes targeting transgender people in 2016,
but the Trump administration is willing to move ahead with rules that would
subject them to more discrimination regardless. This serves as a reminder that
we need action to guarantee civil rights for the LGBT community, and we won’t
see it from the White House. Let’s call our members of Congress and ask them to
support or continue to advocate for passage of the Equality Act. We can see if
our House members or Senators are already on board here and here.
9.
The US
military prison in Guantanamo is seen around the world as a disgraceful symbol
of American human rights abuse. In 2009, Obama issued an executive order
directed at closing Guantanamo within a year, but in 2011 the Republican
Congress inhibited this effort by restricting the transfer of detainees to the
US for detention or trial. On Tuesday night, Trump, using the
2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), reversed Obama’s rule and
announced his desire to send terrorism suspects, “bad dudes,” from civilian to
military custody at “Gitmo”: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/1/30/16953208/trump-executive-order-guantanamo-open We need to let the White House know
that we strenuously object to this return to an unlawful, shameful, and cruel
history of American arrogance and impunity.
10. Jeff Sessions’ Justice Department has
effectively closed the Office for Access to Justice, which began in 2010 as an
attempt to “deliver [court] outcomes that are fair and accessible to all,
irrespective of wealth and status.” Sessions cannot close the office outright,
but he can—and has—starved it of resources: its acting director has left, its
staff is much reduced as is its office space, its programs sidelined: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/01/us/politics/office-of-access-to-justice-department-closed.html Sessions needs to hear from us: 202-353-1555 or U.S. Department of Justice, 950
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530-0001
11.
Senator
Tom Udall (D-NM) has introduced https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2354S. 2354, the America’s Natural Treasures
of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the Economies of
States Act (ANTIQUITIES Act) of 2018. This bill, co-sponsored by 18
other Democratic senators, codifies into law the boundaries for over 50
national monuments and validates that only Congress has the authority to reduce
or diminish national monuments. We can read more at KRWG (NM State). Let's see if our Democratic
senators are among the co-sponsors. If they are, let's send notes of
support. If they are not, let's ask that they co-sponsor the Antiquities
Act, S.
2354.
Even though this legislation is unlikely to move forward during this regime,
it's crucial that we continue to tell our Senators about legislation that we
support.
12. Trump and his corporate friends would like
nothing better than to repeal the Clean Water Rule (or WOTUS, the Waters of the
United States), a rule limiting polluting run-off in our small waterways.
So far he has failed, but never underestimate Scott Pruitt, Trump’s EPA
director: on Wednesday, the EPA delayed enforcement of WOTUS for two
years, claiming they need the delay to achieve “long-term regulatory
certainty”: http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/371667-epa-delays-obama-water-ruleLet’s tell the EPA we expect them to protect,
not pollute, our water: @EPAScottPruitt or Environmental Protection Agency,
Mail Code 1101A, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460
13. “The Trump administration is poised to ask
Congress for deep budget cuts to the Energy Department’s renewable energy and
energy efficiency programs, slashing them by 72 percent overall in fiscal 2019,
according to draft budget documents obtained by The Washington Post.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/white-house-seeks-72-percent-cut-to-clean-energy-research-underscoring-administrations-preference-for-fossil-fuelsv/2018/01/31/c2c69350-05f3-11e8-b48c-b07fea957bd5_story.html?utm_term=.7f392948131c Let’s
make sure that ALL of MoCs know that we do not want this approved. The future is in renewable energy and
efficiency programs.
Election 2018 -
General
Election 2018 –
By State
Other Actions
1.
From Action Together
Network: Do you
lead a progressive group or create a resource for activists and organizers?
Join the Leaders Network and connect with hundreds of leaders and creators like
yourself! Email Andrea at andrea@actiontogethernetwork.org for more information.
2.
Colin
Kaepernick, former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, has completed his
pledge to donate $1,000,000 to organizations working in oppressed communities:
http://bit.ly/2DR2ZDF Kaepernick became nationally recognized
for helping to initiate the national anthem protests in order to bring
attention to police brutality and systemic racism and oppression. Let's thank
Kaepernick for all that he has done to help underserved communities across the
U.S. We can contact him @Kaepernick7 on twitter, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kaepernick7/ To learn about more about his work,
including the Million Dollar Pledge and the Know Your Rights camp, we can also
check out his website http://kaepernick7.com/
3.
A
sobering look at what happens to our efforts to connect with Congress: https://www.wired.com/story/opengov-report-congress-constituent-communication
Let’s
use this information to keep on telling our stories and making our positions
clear in the best ways possible.
4.
“Research
conducted by SPLC in 2017 shows that we, as a nation, are failing to adequately
teach the hard history of American slavery. Wondering how your knowledge stacks
up? Take this six-question quiz. Then, sign our statement of support for
improving K-12 classroom instruction about this critical topic.” https://www.splcenter.org/data-projects/how-much-do-you-know-about-american-slavery
5.
Spread the
Vote, which fights voter suppression by helping voters get the IDs they need to
vote, is looking for a Florida State Director to be responsible for the growth
and management of all Florida state operations. The position will focus on
expanding Spread the Vote chapters throughout the state, creating sustainable
chapters, managing and supporting volunteers, and fundraising for Florida
operations. If we are interested, we can find out more about Spread the Vote
here: https://www.spreadthevote.org/ We
can find out more about the position, including how to apply, here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PK0p9BmcZLMiF-dqZc49abqAJqnKUY3pohUXmtUyBRk/mobilebasic
6.
Here’s a
cool idea: Birthday Boxes to encourage 18-year-olds to vote! Let’s read about
it: www.dailyherald.com/news/20180116/birthday-boxes-encourage-naperville-18-year-olds-to-vote and http://interlochenpublicradio.org/post/want-more-young-adults-vote-start-18th-birthday-present Then, let’s look into creating a program
for “emerging” voters in our communities.
7.
“Little
Miss Flint Announces Her Own #BlackPantherChallenge GoFundMe” and we can
help! https://www.teenvogue.com/story/little-miss-flint-announces-black-panther-challenge-gofundme Let’s
help these kids see the first superhero blockbuster film featuring a majority
black cast: https://www.gofundme.com/help-flint-kids-see-black-panther
Marches/events/webinars/Tweetstorms to
attend/organize
1.
With 11 school shootings already this year, make
that 12 as of yesterday, it is time to make a stand against the NRA and its
destructive “guns everywhere” policies. We can raise awareness about stopping
gun violence and the NRA’s dangerous agenda, when we join Action Together
Network’s #StopNRA twitterstorm. Sunday at 8pm EST. All tweets are prewritten and ready to
go with a click. We can find the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1400763046701408/ We can tweet
directly from this sheet here on Sunday: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QFF71UvGIIX-2ogQzJmgLxBOelDWIGy5PSE1TuzOqV4/htmlview
2.
Join ATN for a Leaders Network webinar with the
co-founders of Rapid Resist this Sunday at
6pm EST. Learn about what Rapid Resist is doing in 2018 as well as how Rapid
Resist can help your group. More info and
instructions for this Zoom webinar, click here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2097491880483273/
States
1. Various: San Francisco will be applying California's
new marijuana law retroactively; reducing or expunging thousands of past
convictions http://bit.ly/2nuhEyx As
our country moves forward in legalizing marijuana, let's make sure that we're following
San Francisco's lead, and taking care of those who have been victims of the
racist (http://bit.ly/2rZrYTF)
War on Drugs. If we live in a state where recreational marijuana has been
legalized (http://bit.ly/2ntONKA),
we can contact our state MoC and ask that they also apply the law
retroactively.
2. IA
- Iowa state Representative Skyler Wheeler (R-IA4) introduced House File
2031 that would direct the State Board of Education to create course
standards for Bible literacy classes that would be offered as elective
courses. “To us, this is a clear attempt to teach Christianity,” cautioned
ACLU lobbyist Daniel Zeno. (Source: Iowa Starting Line) Professors
of bible studies at Iowa universities oppose the bill indicating that that
it opens the door for teachers, most of whom have little or no training in
academic biblical studies, to impose their personal religious opinions about
the Bible upon students. (Source: Des Moines Register)
This bill has already passed out of committee. If we are Iowans, let's contact
our state representatives to
tell them we oppose House File 2031.
3. MN:
St. Paul teachers, facing cuts, are calling out companies that are spending
their tax breaks on Super Bowl sponsorships instead of investing in Minnesota
children's education. (Source: The Intercept) On
January 31, the teachers' union members voted overwhelmingly to strike, with 85
percent of teachers voting to strike. (Source: CBSMinnesota)
Mediation sessions are scheduled for February 2nd and 7th. A strike
would not begin until Feb. 13. (Source: St. Paul Federation of Teachers) If we are
St. Paul residents, let's tell teachers we know that we support them and ask
how we can help their cause.
4. VA: Virginia’s Ratification of the ERA is being
held hostage by the VA State House and Senate committees. This call to action
is urgent, time sensitive and requires the action of the entire
nation. The ERA is a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution and
therefore, is a national issue.” It
seems that some Virginia lawmakers are standing in the way of letting this come
to a vote. Let’s work together to help Virginia
House and Senate advance this legislation to become the 37th state to ratify
the ERA. After that, only one more state
is needed! Let’s check here to see how
to help: https://www.ratifyera.org/urgent-call-to-action
Reading/Watching
1.
“An Open Letter to Women Making Black History”
by Sen. Kamala Harris - https://www.popsugar.com/news/Sen-Kamala-Harris-Black-History-Month-Essay-2018-44536216
2.
Highlights from the Women’s March from Postcards for
America: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/957630197083320321.html
3.
“‘I want my voice heard’: Women plot runs for
office in record numbers” - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/i-want-my-voice-heard-women-plot-runs-office-record-n841131
