Representative Joe Wilson - whatifknits
SEPARATION of CHURCH and STATEThe Johnson Amendment, in case you’re not familiar with it, is one of our country’s bulwarks of church-state separation. It prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profits, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates. The Johnson Amendment is law, and because it is law, only Congress has the power to repeal it. However, this fact has not prevented Donald Trump from announcing to evangelical leaders, “Now one of the things I'm most proud of is getting rid of the Johnson Amendment,” implying that they now have the right to endorse political candidates from the pulpit. If they take the President at his word, we are apt to see a wave of church-based candidate endorsements—despite that fact that this has not been legalized. (Write-up 8/30/2018)REMIND Trump that he is not a dictator and cannot undo law on his own and INSIST that he stop making misleading statements about the Johnson Amendment? Donald Trump, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111REQUEST that our Congresspeople take an active role is assuring that the Johnson Amendment remains in place and is not undercut by the Trump’s falsehoods? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Trump’s Evangelical Advisory Board (consisting of only far-right Christian religious leaders) was created during Trump’s campaign. Members of the Board have spoken about their access to the President and their ability to influence policy. Federal law requires that the Board’s meetings and documents be available to the public, but this has not happened. Americans United has filed a letter demanding that the Evangelical Advisory Board cease and desist until it is in compliance with federal law. The Board insists that it is not a board, but an informal group, and is not subject to federal transparency laws. However, Trump has held a formal White House dinner for Board members, which indicates the group is more than “informal.” Americans United has also filed a federal open-records request for documents, including transcripts, minutes, working papers, agendas, and studies, prepared for the Board or made available to it. (Write-up 8/30/2018)INSIST to Trump and the White House Counsel that this group honor federal transparency laws? Donald Trump, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111? Don McGahn, White House Counsel, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111ASK that our Congresspeople investigate this violation of federal transparency laws and church-state separation? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861CONSUMER PROTECTIONS, WORKING CONDITIONS, and ECONOMIC JUSTICEThe Trump administration has been rolling back all sorts of worker safety protections. Under Obama, workplace inspections at mines had to occur before workers started their shifts, but the Trump administration said it would allow inspections to begin while miners were already working. The Interior Department is seeking to roll back regulations for offshore oil rigs that were put in place after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, rescinding the rule that inspections of blowout preventers must only be conducted by government-approved third parties. And the Agricultural Department is considering lifting line speed requirements in hog processing plants. This threat is exacerbated by the recent Supreme Court decision to allow workers to opt out of joining a union, since reduced union power means workers are going to be less able to advocate for safety measures themselves. (Write-up 9/9/18) (h/t to Rogan’s List)ASK our Congresspeople to support—or introduce—legislation that will restore worker safety protections? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861INFORM leadership of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that we don’t support the administration’s rollbacks and want to see legislation restoring worker safety protections? Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chair, HELP Committee,428 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5375? Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member, Committee,428 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5375? Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chair, Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Vice-Chair, Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) Ranking Member), Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527From the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) via Rogan’s List: “CEO pay continues to be very, very high and has grown far faster in recent decades than typical worker pay. Higher CEO pay does not reflect correspondingly higher output or better performance. Exorbitant CEO pay therefore means that the fruits of economic growth are not going to ordinary workers.… CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are more productive or have special talents or more education. If CEOs earned less or were taxed more, there would be no adverse impact on output or employment.” To remedy this problem, the EPI has recommended that the U.S. “reinstate higher marginal income tax rates at the very top; set corporate tax rates higher for firms that have higher ratios of CEO-to-worker compensation; set a cap on compensation and tax anything over the cap; allow greater use of ‘say on pay,’ which allows firm’s shareholders to vote on top executives’ compensation.” (Write-up 8/30/2018)TELL Congressional leaders that this is the kind of tax reform Americans, and not just the 1%, want to see? Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader, 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2541? Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, 322 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6542? Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), Speaker of the House, 1233 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3031? Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Majority Leader, 2421 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2915? Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Majority Whip, 2338 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3015? Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Minority Leader, 223 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4965? Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Minority Whip, 1705 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4131As the Los Angeles Times headline put it, “Marco Rubio’s Parental Leave Plan Would Rob Peter to Pay for Peter Jr.” S.3345, the misleadingly titled “Economic Security for New Parents Act,” would allow parents to take partially paid leave after the birth of a child, but to do so they would have to tap their future Social Security benefits. Parents could receive two months partially paid leave if they agree to put off receiving their Social Security benefits for three to six months. A better program would be like that in California, which is administered through the State Disability Insurance Program and is funded from the existing 1% payroll deduction for disability insurance. This program has another benefit that Rubio’s proposal doesn’t: it allows partially paid leave to care for a seriously sick family member as well as after a birth. S.3345 has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. (Write-up 8/30/2018)TELL key finance committee members that this bill takes the wrong approach and that parents shouldn’t be penalized for caring for newborns? Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Chair, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515? Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking member, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515URGE our Senators to hold out for a California-style model—they should understand its benefits since they’re representing California? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553Elizabeth Warren has introduced the Accountable Capitalism Act, S.3348. Vox states her rationale: “if corporations are going to have the legal rights of persons, they should be expected to act like decent citizens who uphold their fair share of the social contract and not act like sociopaths whose sole obligation is profitability — as is currently conventional in American business thinking.” This act would require corporations making more than $1 billion in revenue per year to change their primary focus from maximizing profit to considering the public good. One of her requirements would be “co-determination,” that a percentage of seats on boards of directors be elected by employees rather than shareholders. This legislation currently has no cosponsors. It is with the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. (Write-up 8/23/18)THANKS to Warren for introducing this revolutionary legislation? Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), 317 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4543EXPLAIN to our Senators that in a post-Citizens United world we need this kind of legislation and ASK that they cosponsor and vocally support it? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553INSIST to key committee members that as long as Citizens United is in play, we absolutely must hold corporations to the standards we would expect from non-corporate “people”? Senator John Thune (R-SD), Chair, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, 512 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-1251? Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), Ranking Member, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, 512 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-0411The “Rent Relief Act”—S.3250 in the Senate and H.R.3670 in the House—would give a tax credit to anybody who spends more than 30 percent of their income on rent plus utilities. The Senate version of the legislation was introduced by our own Kamala Harris; Dianne Feinstein is a cosponsor. S.3250 is with the Senate Finance Committee. H.R.3670 is with the House Ways and Means Committee. Jimmy Panetta is no a cosponsor and perhaps should be, given housing costs in the Santa Cruz area. (Write-up 8/10/2018)THANKS to Harris for introducing S.3250 and to Feinstein for cosponsoring? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841URGE support for S.3250 from key Senate Finance Committee members? Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Chair, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515? Senator Ron Wyden (O-OR), Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515QUESTION Panetta about his reasons for not cosponsoring H.R.3670 and say you hope he’ll actively support it? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861URGE support for H.R.3670 from key House Ways and Means Committee members? Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chair, House Ways and Means Committee,1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 205615, (202) 225-3625? Representative Richard Neal (D-MA), Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Committee,1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 205615, (202) 225-3625The “Workflex in the 21st Century Act,” H.R.4219, would allow employers who offer “workflex plans” exemption from state and local employment laws. It would also allow employers to deny workers requested sick time if this would “unduly disrupt” their business. While some aspects of “workflex” could benefit some workers, the end run around state and local laws will certainly be disastrous. The legislation is currently with the House Education and the Workforce Committee. (Write-up 8/10/2018)INFORM key House Education and Workforce Committee members that undermining local laws under the guise of “flexibility” and EXPLAIN that if they want to benefit workers the should focus on national paid family and medical leave? Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Vice-Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Robert C. Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527REQUEST that our Representative keep an eye out for this legislation and oppose it forcefully should it reach the House floor? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861From Rogan’s List: “The U.S. is in dire need of paid family leave, not only for new parents and postpartum recovery, but also for adult caregivers who are taking care of their aging parents or sick family members. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) have introduced a bill which would provide paid leave, however, individuals would be drawing from their Social Security payments, leaving them to gamble their future financial security against their current medical. The bill would also only cover new parents, not caregivers or those who take medical leave.” [On the other hand] the Family and Medical Insurance Leave, or FAMILY, Act, S.337 in the Senate and H.R.947 in the House, which would create a trust fund from which individuals could receive benefits while on leave to care for relatives, their newborn babies, or to recover from their own health conditions S.337 is with the Senate Finance Committee. Feinstein and Harris are co-sponsors. H.R.947 is with the House Ways and Means Committee. Jimmy Panetta is a co-sponsor. (Write-up 8/10/2018) THANKS for co-sponsoring the FAMILY Act to? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861URGE key members of the Senate Finance Committee to support S.337? Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Chair, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515? Senator Ron Wyden (O-OR), Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515URGE key members of the House Ways and Means Committee to support H.R.947? Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chair, House Ways and Means Committee,1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625? Representative Richard Neal (D-MA), Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Committee,1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625EDUCATIONSeth Frotman, the student loans ombudsman at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), has resigned in protest because CFPB head Mick Mulvaney has “turned his back” on student borrowers. His office handles some 23,000 complaints each year about lenders, debt collectors, and purported “debt relief” agencies. (Write-up 9/9/18)CASTIGATE Mulvaney for turning his back on student borrowers and for making it impossible for those working under him to responsibly do their jobs? Mick Mulvaney, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G St. NW, Washington DC 20552, (855) 411-2372The “Local Control of School Lunches Act,” H.R.6541, would repeal a number of nutritional standards for school lunches put in place during the Obama administration, including limits on calories and salt and minimum requirement for percentage of enriched or whole grain flour. Given that childhood obesity rates have tripled in this country since 1970, we might want to keep the Obama-era standards in place. H.R.6541 is currently with the House Education and the Workforce Committee. (Write-up 8/30/2018)REMIND key members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee that our children deserve better than unlimited calories, salt, and refined flower? Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Ranking Member, House Education and the Workforce Committee, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is preparing new policies narrowing the definition of campus sexual harassment; strengthening the rights of students accused of assault, harassment, or rape; and reducing campus liability. The proposed rules would hold schools accountable only for formal complaints filed with “an official who has the authority to institute corrective measures” regarding conduct that occurred on campuses. The new rules would also establish a higher legal standard to determine whether schools improperly addressed complaints. With estimates that approximately one in every five women and one in every sixteen men are sexually assaulted while in college and that 90% of such assaults go unreported (National Sexual Violence Resource Center), this legislation could negatively affect the lives of thousands of college students. (Write-up 8/30/2018)INFORM Secretary DeVos that she should be making sure campuses are safe for students, not making it easier for assaults to occur and for campuses to ignore those assaults? Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington DC 20202, (800) 872-5327The administration has proposed new rules that would make it harder for individuals to receive student loan forgiveness from unethical for-profit colleges. Currently, individuals can apply for loan forgiveness if the school they attended engaged in false advertising. Under the new proposal that standard would be raised to “intent to deceive” or demonstration of “reckless regard for the truth.” Student claims would be limited to three years from the date they “discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the misrepresentation [by the school].” The rules would bar students who were given the opportunity to transfer their credits to a different institution from filing for loan forgiveness. The rules would also prohibit state Attorneys General from filing class action lawsuits on behalf of affected borrowers. The “gainful employment rule,” which requires that for-profit colleges and career programs demonstrate that the students they enroll are able to obtain appropriately paying jobs after completion of a program, would be eliminated. Currently, the gainful-employment rule prevents colleges and programs that claim to prepare students for careers, but do not actually allow students to succeed on the job market, from receiving federal financial aid. California’s Attorney General, Xavier Becerra, has protested these proposed changes by the Department of Education. (Write-up 8/23/18)INSIST to the Secretary of Education that we need more, not fewer protections, against predatory for-profit colleges and career programs? Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington DC 20202, (202) 401-1576ASK our Congresspeople to work against these rollbacks that will hurt students? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861THANKS to our State Attorney General for standing up for defrauded students? Attorney General Xavier Becerra, 1300 I St., Sacramento, CA 95814-2919, (916) 445-9555The Republicans’ main bill to reduce college costs is H.R.4508, the “PROSPER Act” [Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform Act]. Under this legislation, loans would be allowed to accrue interest while the student is still attending school?—?something that can’t be done under current Stafford loan. The bill “makes financing a college education harder for low- and middle-income students, dramatically reducing available grant aid and making student loans more expensive,” according to a group of House Democrats, who note that “The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that H.R. 4508 will reduce direct spending in the Pell Grant and Student Loan programs by $14.6 billion over ten years. While the bill makes college less affordable, it makes federal student aid more generous for for-profit institutions, at the expense of taxpayers and students. H.R. 4508 eliminates necessary guardrails and dilutes consumer protections that safeguard students and taxpayers. [It] expands and creates loopholes that will allow ineligible providers access to federal student aid without adequate oversight to ensure quality, and in some cases, even without compliance with any federal law.” H.R.4508 is currently with the House Education and the Workforce Committee. (Write-up 8/10/2018)EXPLAIN to key members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee that we want legislation that doesn’t allow interest to accrue while students are still in school and that has safeguards in place to keep for-profit institutions from profiting by encouraging excessive student loans? Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Vice-Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Robert C. Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527ELECTIONS In a report issued in July, the Brennan Center for Justice warns that a significant threat to voting rights that isn’t getting enough attention is purges of voter rolls. While accurate purges are needed from time to time to eliminate voters no longer in a district or who have passed away, the country has seen a rash of poorly managed purges that have left thousands of people forced to file provisional ballots or simply turned away at the polls. These problems have occurred in locations ranging from Brooklyn (more than 200,000 voters incorrectly removed from rolls) to Virginia (where purges in some counties had error rates up to 17%). There are federal standards for purges, set in the 1993 National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). Since 2013 Florida, New York, North Carolina and Virginia have conducted illegal purges. Alabama, Arizona, Indiana, and Maine have written policies that violate the NVRA and provide for illegal purges. Some groups around the country (guess who?) are urging for even more draconian purges. (Write-up 9/13/2018)TELL our Congress people and key members of the Senate Judiciary Committee that we want to see the provisions of the NVRA followed in every state and that we want further protections for voter, not increased purges.? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861In August, a federal court ruled that North Carolina’s congressional maps were unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor Republican. Nonetheless, the same court has rule that those gerrymandered maps must be used in November midterm elections because there is insufficient time to redraw them, meaning that North Carolinas elections will overtly be skewed to favor Republicans. (Write-up 9/9/18)EXPRESS disgust with this state of affairs and TELL our Congresspeople that the time has come for more effective national protections against gerrymandering? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861The “Secure Elections Act,” S.2261, is a bipartisan effort that would give the Department of Homeland Security responsibility for sharing information about attempted cyber-attacks on elections. DHS would be able to award election cybersecurity and modernization grants to states to remedy identified weaknesses in state voting systems and to make it easier to audit voting results. It appeared this legislation would be moving out of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee and on to consideration by the full Senate, but the work session at which this would have happened was cancelled, reportedly in response to pressure from the White House. (Write-up 8/23/18)INFORM key members of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee that we have ample evidence of Russian interference in our elections and that delaying action on S.2261 is unacceptable? Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), Chair, Senate Rules and Administration Committee, 305 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6352? Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member, Senate Rules and Administration Committee, 305 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6352? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Member, Senate Rules and Administration Committee, 305 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6352From Rogan’s List: “Donald Trump clearly can't be counted on to stop Russia from interfering in our elections, making the DETER Act, S.2313—which makes punishment for such actions automatic, taking it out of Trump's—crucial. This should be common sense legislation, and a litmus test for anyone who believes the intelligence agencies and not Putin.” This bipartisan legislation is currently with the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. (Write-up 8/10/2018)ASK our Senators what they are doing to force a vote on it S.2313? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841INFORM key members of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee that we need automatic punishments because our President has repeatedly demonstrated that he refuses to accept the conclusions of our intelligence agencies and prefers “assurances” from Putin? Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Chair, Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, 534 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-7391? Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ranking Member, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, 534 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-7391From Rogan’s List: “August 6 was the 53rd anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Over the years, Congress has voted to impinge on many of the facets of the original bill. Let’s tell Congress that we want to celebrate this important anniversary by having it fully restored.In a democracy there is no right more important than the right to vote. We used to protect it with the Voting Rights Act, but ever since key parts of that law were gutted by the Supreme Court in 2013, our right to vote has been under steady and increasing attack by moneyed interests and opportunistic politicians. Congress has introduced new legislation to restore these lost protections, the Voting Rights Advancement Act (S.1419 and H.R.2978).” These bills are with the Judiciary Committees of their respective houses. S.1419 and H.R.2978 need more sponsors to advance, but we can thank all three of our Congresspeople for already being cosponsors. (Write-up 8/10/2018)THANKS for fighting to restore and preserve voting rights to? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861ASK key members of both Judiciary Committees to step up for the franchise and to support? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951The Tampa Bay Times reports: “Russian operatives have ‘penetrated’ some of Florida's voter registration systems ahead of the 2018 midterms, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Wednesday, adding new urgency to concerns about hacking…. ‘They have already penetrated certain counties in the state and they now have free rein to move about,’ Nelson told the Tampa Bay Times before a campaign event in Tampa…. Nelson and Florida's other senator, Republican Marco Rubio, wrote a July 2 letter to the 67 county election supervisors about potential threats. But that letter lacked the specificity Nelson laid out. ‘County election boards should not be expected to stand alone against a hostile foreign government,’ the lawmakers wrote in recommending ‘a wide range of services’ from the Department of Homeland Security. ‘We were requested by the chairman and vice chairman of the Intelligence Committee to let the supervisors of election in Florida know that the Russians are in their records.’ [However, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of State claims they have] ‘received no information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that corroborates Senator Nelson's statement and we have no evidence to support these claims’…. [Nelson’s] account was partly corroborated by two county officials, who said they heard a similar warning at a private meeting with Rubio in May. (Write-up 8/10/2018)EMPHASIZE to our Congresspeople and the Department of Homeland Security that we are deeply concerned about election interference and want to see strong preventative actions taken before the November elections? Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Matthew Masterson, Senior Adviser, Cybersecurity Unit, Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861H.R.12, the “Voter Empowerment Act,” would strengthen voting rights in a number of ways including-Requiring states to provide online voter registration-Promoting access to registration and voting for individuals with disabilities-Supporting pilot programs allowing disabled voters to vote from their homes-Requiring states to inform those convicted of or paroled for state criminal offenses that they have the right to vote in federal elections-Updating requirements for voting system audits-Requiring durable paper ballotsH.R.12 currently has 183 co-sponsors, all of the Democrats. Our Jimmy Panetta is one of these co-sponsors. It is before a number of committees and subcommittees: the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice; the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity; the Committee on House Administration; the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce (Write-up 8/10/2018)THANK our Representative for his co-sponsorship of H.R.12 and his commitment to defending our voting systems? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861EXPLAIN to key committee and subcommittee members that we need action now to protect our elections and ensure the franchise to all Americans and that H.R.12 offers a way of accomplishing this? Representative Steve King (R-IA), Chair, House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Vice-Chair, House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Chair, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, 335 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3527? Representative Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), Ranking Member, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, 335 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3527? Representative Gregg Harper (R-MS), Chair, Committee on House Administration, 1309 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-8281? Representative Rodney Davis (R-IL), Vice-Chair, Committee on House Administration, 1309 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-8281? Representative Robert Brady (D-PA), Ranking Member, Committee on House Administration, 1309 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-8281? Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX), Chair, House Committee on Science Space, and Technology, 2321 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-6371? Representative Frank D. Lucas (R-OK), Vice-Chair, House Committee on Science Space, and Technology, 2321 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-6371? Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Ranking Member, House Committee on Science Space, and Technology, 2321 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-6371? Representative Trey Gowdy (R-SC), Chair, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 2157 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-5074? Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Ranking Member, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 2157 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-5074? Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Joe Wilson (R-NC), Vice-Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Ranking Member, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527ENVIRONMENTThe federal government has lifted a stay on mineral exploration in national forests just outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a one million acre wilderness in northeastern Minnesota. Roughly a quarter of a million people visit Boundary Waters annually for canoeing, fishing, and hiking, making it one of the most visited wilderness areas in the country. National forests are owned by all of us—and given the importance of Boundary Waters, mineral exploration in the surrounding area (and in a national forest) is a terrible idea. (Write-up 9/13/2018)TELL our Congresspeople and key members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and its Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee that we want Boundary Waters and other wilderness areas protected for our use, not for the benefit of corporations? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861? Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chair, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971? Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971? Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Chair, Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971? Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member, Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971For decades, the U.S. has been a leader in protecting endangered species, but that has been changing under the current Republican administration. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have proposed rule changes that would significantly weaken the administration of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Currently only biological factors based on rigorous science can be taken into account when a decision about a species’ endangered status is made. Under the proposals by FWS and NOAA, economic analyses would be added to the factors considered when a decision about a species/ endangered species status is made. Currently under the ESA, protections are put into place immediately once a species is determined to be endangered. The FWS proposal would instead require a separate proposed rule to protect any species found to be endangered from harassment, harming, and killing—leaving the open to human threats while the second, necessary rule is crafted, commented upon, and enacted. (h/t Wildlife Conservation Society) (Write-up 9/13/2018)REMIND our Congress people and leaders at FWS and NOAA that “engendered” means endangered now—now when business interests find it convenient or after yet another bureaucratic process? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861? Jim Kurth, Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, 1849 C St. NW, Washington DC 20240, (800) 344-WILD? Steve Guertin, Deputy Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, 1849 C St. NW, Washington DC 20240, (800) 344-WILD? Dr. Neil Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1401 Constitution NW, Room 5128, Washington DC 20230, (828) 271-4800? RDML Tim Gallaudett, PhD, Assistant Secretary and Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1401 Constitution NW, Room 5128, Washington DC 20230, (828) 271-4800ProPublica has reported that an Energy Department order that could be used to withhold information from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) and prevent them from overseeing worker safety at nuclear facilities appears to violate provisions in the Atomic Energy Act. Members of the DNFSB, both Republican and Democrat, are united in their criticism of this order published in mid-May. The order prevents the DNFSB from accessing sensitive information, imposes additional legal hurdles on board staff, and mandates that energy officials “speak with one voice” when communicating with the board. This order has already been cited in denying the Board access to information studies related to explosives at the Pantex Plant in Texas and about reclassification of explosive reactions at Los Alamos National Laboratories. Before the order was issues, the Department of Energy consulted with private contractors who run national laboratories, but not the board, workers’ unions or residents near nuclear facilities. This follows an effort last year, led by the Trump-appointed then-chairman of the board to dissolve the DNFSB entirely. (Write-up 9/13/2018)TELL the Energy Department and key members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and its Energy Subcommittee that for the sake of public safety we want a board regulating its activity and want to see any orders interfering with the functions of that board overturned? Rick Perry, Secretary of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20585, (202) 586-5000? Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security; Administrator, National Nuclear Safety Administration, 1000 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20585, (202) 586-5000? Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chair, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971? Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971? Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), Chair, Subcommittee on Energy, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971? Senator Joe Manchin III (D-WA), Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Energy, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971Former Dow DuPont lawyer Peter Wright has been nominated as assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Land and Emergency Management (and has been temporarily hired by the EPA as a special counsel while the confirmation process is underway). And what exactly does the Office of Land and Emergency Management do? It is in charge of Superfund environmental clean-ups—exactly (not) the sort of work we want to have guided by a chemical industry insider. (Write-up 9/9/18)URGE our Senators to fight Wright’s confirmation in order to uphold the integrity of the Superfund program? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553H.R.3671, the “Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act,” would transition the U.S. from fossil fuels to clean energy. It would require that by 2027 80% of energy must be generated by clean sources, 80% of new vehicle sales must be of zero-emissions vehicles, and 80% of train lines and trains must be electrified. By 2035, these percentages would move upward to 100% in each of the three categories. A host of House committees are currently considering this legislation: the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; the House Committee on Ways and Means; the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; the House Committee on Education and the Workforce; the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee; the House Financial Services Committee; the House Foreign Affairs Committee; the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials; the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management; the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment; and two Subcommittees on the Environment. (Write-up 8/30/2018)REQUEST strong support for H.R.3671? Representative Greg Walden (R-OR), Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), Vice-Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Fred Upton (R-MI), Chair, Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL), Ranking Member, Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chair, House Ways and Means Committee, 1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625? Representative Richard Neal (D-MA), Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Committee, 1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625? Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA), Chair, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Member, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative Lou Baretta (R-PA), Chair, Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? A. Drew Furgeson IV (R-GA), Vice-Chair, Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative Dina Titus (D-NV), Ranking Member, Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative Jeff Denham (R-CA), Chair, Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative John J. Faso (R-NY), Vice-Chair, Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative Michael E. Capuano (D-MA), Ranking Member, Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative Garrett Graves (R-LA), Chair, Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water, Resources, and the Environment, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative Brian J. Mast (R-FL), Vice-Chair, Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water, Resources, and the Environment, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Ranking Member, Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water, Resources, and the Environment, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-9446? Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Ranking Member, House Education and the Workforce Committee, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX), Chair, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, 2321 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-6371? Representative Frank D. Lucas (R-OK), Vice-Chair, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, 2321 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-6371? Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Ranking Member, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, 2321 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-6371? Representative Randy Weber (R-TX), Chair, Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy, 2321 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-6371? Representative Steve Knight (R-CA), Vice Chair, Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy, 2321 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-6371? Representative Marc Veasey (D-TX), Ranking Member, Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Energy, 2321 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-6371? Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Chair, House Financial Services Committee, 2129 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-7502? Representative Patrick T. McHenry (R-NC), Vice-Chair, House Financial Services Committee, 2129 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-7502? Representative Maxine Water (D-CA), Ranking Member, House Financial Services Committee, 2129 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-7502? Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-5021? Representative Francis Rooney (R-FL), Vice-Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-5021? Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-5021From Rogan’s List: “Trump's and the EPA's new power plan will kill an additional 1400 people a year. The EPA itself acknowledges this.” (Write-up 8/30/2018)QUERY our Congresspeople about what they’re doing to stop this insane decision and protect the Clean Power Plan? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has backtracked on its well-publicized decision not to accept donations from fossil fuel companies. For some reason, the DNC is keeping much more quiet about this reversal than it was about the original decision. (Write-up 8/23/18)PROTEST this back-tracking and betrayal of our environment and our future to? Tom Perez, Chair, Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington DC 20003, (202) 863-8000? Keith Ellison, Deputy Chair, Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington DC 20003, (202) 863-8000? Ken Martin, Vice-Chair and ASDC President, Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington DC 20003, (202) 863-8000? Maria Elena Durazo, Vice-Chair, Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington DC 20003, (202) 863-8000? Michael Blake, Vice-Chair, Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington DC 20003, (202) 863-8000? Representative Grace Meng, Vice-Chair, Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington DC 20003, (202) 863-8000? Karen Carter Peterson, Vice-Chair of Civic Engagement and Voter Participation, Democratic National Committee, 430 South Capitol St. SE, Washington DC 20003, (202) 863-8000The STORAGE Act, H.R.6354, would exempt areas of water infrastructure (reservoirs, dams, etc.) from being required to follow Endangered Species Act (ESA) policies. A gift for corporations and local governments that don’t want to spend the time or money to follow the law or who simply don’t want environmental blocks to prevent their projects. The PETITION Act, H.R.6355, is even bolder, allowing listing deadlines to be ignored if a ‘backlog’ is declared (meaning species may go extinct waiting for review) and aims to again cut out crucial judicial review of decisions with the excuse that it will expedite petitions. Finally, H.R.6345 aims to weaken the ESA by allowing states and county governments to put the kibosh on ESA petitions before they even get to the federal government. All three bills are currently with the House Natural Resources Committee. (Write-up 8/10/2018)EXPLAIN to key House Natural Resources Committee members that ESA policies are grounded in good science and should apply to all governmental and civilian organizations? Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chair, Natural Resources Committee, 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2761? Representative Don Young (R-AK), Chair Emeritus, Natural Resources Committee, 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2761? Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Vice-Chair, Natural Resources Committee, 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2761? Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Ranking Member, Natural Resources Committee, 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2761The California Air Resources Board has responded to what it contends are theAdministration’s illegal environmental and climate actions by formally initiating theprocess to push the button on its long threatened “nuclear” option for air quality:rescission of “deemed-to-comply” for automakers importing vehicles into California andits replacement by direct regulation through tariffs, taxes, fees and even caps on vehicleregistration (in consequence, import quotas), effectively threatening multiple red stateswith massive economic retaliation and dramatically increasing the risk of a viciousconstitutional legal fight that may ultimately escalate into a conflict with nullificationistovertones. The vote is scheduled in California for September 27. Each of the 14 compactstates plus the District of Columbia (all fighting the proposed changes in emissions standards) will have to decide separately whether to join this escalation. California has stated that it is willing to negotiate with Washington DC; however, it has expressed pessimism as to the likelihood that the US will be willing to pull back from the brink. (Write-up 8/10/2018)ASK your state legislators to support this move if necessary and support themost rigorous possible response by California to the EPA rollback of vehicle emissionsstandards? Assembly Member Anna Caballero [Watsonville, Hollister, Salinas], 275 Main St., Suite 400, Watsonville, CA 95076, (831) 768-3035 ? Assembly Member Mark Stone [Santa Cruz], 701 Ocean St., 318B, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 425-1503ASK our California Senator to support SB 881? Senator Bill Monning, 701 Ocean St. #318A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 425-0401CONTACT the California Air Resources Board and ask for a Yes vote on September 27? Mary D. Nichols, Chair, California Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812, (800) 242-4450? Sandra Berg, Vice-Chair, California Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812, (800) 242-4450? John Gioia, Bay Area Air Quality Management Member, California Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812, (800) 242-4450? Richard Corey, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812, (800) 242-4450? Ellen M. Peter, Chief Counsel, California Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812, (800) 242-4450? Veronica Eady, Assistant Executive Officer for Environmental Justice, California Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812, (800) 242-4450? Senator Eduardo Garcia, Ex Officio Member, California Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812, (800) 242-4450? Senator Ricardo Lara, Ex Officio Member, California Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812, (800) 242-4450The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revoked a 2014 ban on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in national wildlife refuges. Recent research has linked this particular class of pesticides to harmful effects on bees and other pollinators. Conservationists have already notified the Republican administration that they will sue. (Write-up 8/10/2018)OBJECT to this reversal of an important ban that served humans, bees, and our planet? Donald Trump, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111? Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator, Mail Code 1101A, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20460? Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Chair, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, 307 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6441? Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE), Ranking Member, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, 513 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2441? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553Asbestos, along with nine other currently banned substances, is now legally allowed back into U.S. manufacturing under a serious of loopholes by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On June 1, the EPA authorized a “SNUR” (Significant New Use Rule) that allowed the distribution of products containing asbestos on a case-by-case basis. The EPA’s new framework for evaluating proposed use of asbestos will not take into consideration the presence of asbestos in the air, ground, or water—in other words, the dangers they might pose to people who have indirect contact with asbestos. Let’s recall that Trump distains anti-asbestos regulations and after the World Trade Center attack tweeted that the towers would not have burned if they contained more asbestos. And one more point: the largest exporter of asbestos is—you guessed it—Russia. In fact, one Russian asbestos producer has been using an image of Trump’s face on the material with which it seals pallets of asbestos. (Sounds crazy, but I am not making this up.) (Write-up 8/10/2018)DEMAND an immediate reinstatement of the asbestos ban for the sake of those who work with it and those who come into indirect contact with it and POINT OUT that Trump’s claim asbestos is safe doesn’t begin to outweigh decades of peer reviewed science showing it is dangerous at any level? Donald Trump, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111? Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator, Mail Code 1101A, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20460? Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Chair, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, 307 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6441? Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE), Ranking Member, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, 513 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2441? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553The Fresno Bee reports: “Ending a five-year moratorium, the Trump administration Wednesday took a first step toward opening 1.6 million acres of California public land to fracking and conventional oil drilling, triggering alarm bells among environmentalists. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management said it’s considering new oil and natural gas leases on BLM-managed lands in Fresno, San Luis Obispo and six other San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast counties. Meanwhile, activists in San Luis Obispo are pushing a ballot measure this fall to ban fracking and new oil exploration in the county. If BLM goes ahead with the plan, it would mark the first time since 2013 that the agency has issued a new lease for oil or gas exploration in California, according to the Center for Biological Diversity, which immediately vowed to fight the move. California is the nation’s fourth largest oil-producing state, after Texas, North Dakota and Alaska, with much of the production concentrated in the southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California. (Write-up 8/10/2018)OBJECT to this proposed move to key administration and committee figures? Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Interior, 1849 C St. NW, Washington DC 20240, (202) 208-3100? Brian Steed, Deputy Director, Policy and Programs, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C St. NW, Room 5665, Washington DC 20240, (202) 208-3801? Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chair, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971? Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971? Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Chair, Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971? Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, 304 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4971The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) has once again come under attack. S.2942 and H.R.6013 expand hunting seasons for migratory birds and add even more hunting days for special groups like children and military personnel. This comes at a time when migratory birds already face significant threats from Changing environmental policies and climate warming. (Write-up 8/10/2018)ASK our Senators to oppose the unnecessary expansion of hunting seasons on migratory birds presented by S.2942? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553ASK our Representative to oppose the unnecessary expansion of hunting seasons on migratory birds presented by H.R.6013? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861ETHICS, SEPARATION OF POWERS, and TRANSPARENCYIt turns out that part of the way we’re paying for all the detentions required through the new “zero tolerance” immigration policy is by pulling money out of other pots. We’ve got hurricane season coming up and expect it to be a bad one, so one would figure we might want to take good care of funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Coast Guard, as both organizations will be helping during the disaster and the recovery. It appears, however, that detaining asylum seekers is a more importance use of funding. Senator Jeff Merkley has released documents showing that the Department of Homeland Security has transferred $10 million from the FEMA budget into detention funding. Homeland Security did the same with the Coast Guard, moving $29 million dollars earmarked for them to pay for detentions. (Write-up 9/13/2018)EXPLAIN to appropriate administration figures that if they really want us to feel secure in our homeland, they shouldn’t take away money that could protect us from natural disasters we know are coming in order to implement blanket detention of asylum seekers whether or not they present any threat to public safety? Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Ronald D. Vitiello, Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th St. SW, Washington DC 20536,(866) DHS-2-ICEASK our Congresspeople what they intend to do in light of this cutting of disaster funding? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861THANK Senator Merkley for shedding light on these financial shenanigans? Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), 313 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3753Let’s take a moment to that whistleblower Reality Winner who has been sentenced to more than five years in prison as a result of leaking documents that helped start the Russia investigation. Without her courage, we might not know as much as we currently do about threats to our elections and possible administration complicity with those threats. Our democracy is safer because of her courage. (Write-up 9/9/18)THANKS to Reality Winner for supporting our democracy at a great personal cost? Reality L. Winner, Lincoln County Jail, PO Box 970, Lincolnton, Georgia 30817Back when Bill Clinton was being investigated by a special counsel, Lindsey Graham, who prosecuted the impeachment, said “You don’t even have to be convicted of a crime to lose your job… impeachment is not about punishment. Impeachment is about cleansing the office. Impeachment is about restoring honor and integrity to the office.” (Write-up 8/30/2018)COPY these three sentences onto a postcard and send them to Senator Graham—no need for an attribution, he should remember who the speaker was? Senator Lindsey Graham, 290 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5972SHARE this statement with Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee with Senator Graham—in which case, you might want to add the attribution? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 104 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5251? Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 517 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2934? Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 404 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5922? Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 413 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4521? Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 185 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6342? Senator Michael S. Lee (R-UT), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 361A Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5444? Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 136 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4224? Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 239 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6142? Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 383 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4623From Rogan’s List: Last week, Senator McCaskill released the “U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Minority Report,” which notes that the Trump administration's proposed budget would cut funding for inspectors general (IGs) at the Environmental Protection Agency, Homeland Security, State Department, the Treasury, Department of Agriculture, and the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The importance of these governmental watchdogs cannot be overstated, as they are non-partisan and provide oversight to each respective agency. (Write-up 8/24/18)ALERT our Congresspeople to this move to undermine oversight and accountability and INSIST that they fight to continue funding for all inspectors general ? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Elizabeth Warren's new “Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act,” S.3357, would place a lifetime ban prohibiting former presidents, vice-presidents, cabinet members, and Congresspeople from becoming lobbyists and would apply somewhat less stringent restrictions on other federal workers. It would require presidents and vice-presidents to release eight years’ worth of tax returns and to place any assets that could create a conflict of interest into a blind trust to be sold off. It would bar federal judges from owning individual stocks or accepting gifts or payments that could potentially influence the outcome of their rulings. These rules, and additional restrictions, would be overseen by a newly created U.S. Office of Public Integrity. Right now, S.3357 has no co-sponsors. It is with the Senate Finance Committee. (Write-up 8/24/18)THANK Senator Warren for this legislation that would enforce ethical standards that should be followed by all in government? Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), 317 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4543URGE our Senators to really take a step to “drain the swamp” by co-sponsoring and supporting S.3357? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553EXPLAIN how crucial you feel this legislation is to key members of the Senate Finance Committee? Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Chair, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515? Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515The JACK Act [Justice Against Corruption on K Street], S.2896, requires any lobbyist to disclose any previous conviction for any of the following crimes: “bribery, extortion, embezzlement, an illegal kickback, tax evasion, fraud, a conflict of interest, making a false statement, perjury, or money laundering.” Given the current climate in our still-to-be-drained DC swamp, this seems like a step in the right direction. S.2896 is currently with the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. (Write-up 8/10/2018)URGE our Senators to become cosponsors and REQUEST vigorous support for this legislation? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553EXPLAIN to key Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee members that this is exactly the sort of monitoring and transparency we need right now? Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chair, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, 328 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5323? Senator Claire McKaskill (D-MO), Ranking Member, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, 503 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6154ProPublica has reported that a trio of Mar-a-Lago insiders (a doctor, a lawyer, and an entertainment executive, none of whom have military experience) have become de facto heads of the Veteran Affairs (VA). Though the three claim they are only offering advice, the record makes it clear that the VA is following this advice closely. (Write-up 8/10/2018)DEMAND an end to this manipulation of the VA by unqualified civilians from administration officials and congressional Armed Services Committees members (including our own Jimmy Panetta)? Robert Wilkie, Secretary of Veran Affairs, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 810 Vermont NW, Washington DC 20420, (844) 698-2311? James N. Mattis, Secretary of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301-1000, (703) 571-3343? Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chair, Senate Armed Services Committee, 228 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 224-3871? Senator Jack Reid (D-RI), Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee, 228 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 224-3871? Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chair, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151FAMILY SEPARATION, DENATURALIZATION, and IMMIGRATIONNow that the courts have put the kibosh on family separation, the Republican administration is planning to—detain families together. There’s a court agreement (the “Flores Agreement”), in place since 1997, limits the detention of minors in immigration jails to twenty days. Now the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services are moving to withdraw from the Flores Agreement, so family detention can be indefinite. (Write-up 9/13/2018)CRITICIZE this latest attempt to criminalize and penalize asylum seekers, including families with children and DEMAND that we continue to honor the Flores Agreement? Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC20201, (202) 690-7000THANK our Congresspeople for their full and consistent opposition to family separation and “zero tolerance and ASK them to keep up the fight? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861If you’re uncomfortable with this new “detention in togetherness” policy, you will want to urge support for H.R.6692, the “Alternative to Detention Act,” which directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop alternative programs to the current use of immigration detention. H.R.6692 requires a determination within two days of whether the detainee fits into one of the following categories: asylum seeker, victim of torture, victim of human trafficking; those with special religious, cultural, or spiritual considerations; pregnant and nursing women; those younger than 21 or older than 60; gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or intersex; victim of or witness to crime; those with mental disorders and/or physical disabilities; those who have suffered severe trauma, torture, or gender-based violence. If an individual does fall into one of these categories, H.R.6692 calls for her/him to be given an alternative to immigration detention. Given that the Republican administration is currently moving to triple the size of a Texas tent camp for unaccompanied minor children (we now have the largest population of detained migrant children ever), H.R.6692 needs support now. (Write-up 9/13/2018)ASK these members of the House Judiciary Committee, where H.R.6692 is currently awaiting action, to take swift, decisive action to see that these alternatives to detention are approved and funded? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Raúl Labrador (R-ID), Chair, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951IMPLORE our Representative to join the very small (4) list of cosponsors for H.R.6692 and POINT OUT that doing this is particularly appropriate given both the population he represents and previous stances he’s taken on immigration legislation? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861At the moment, our country is home to individuals from ten countries who have been granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows them to remain in the U.S. beyond the usual visa period due to natural disaster or ongoing armed conflict in their home countries. These nations are El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The Republican administration has repeatedly signaled its intention to end TPS for these groups—despite the fact that many of the have been in the U.S. for a decade or more. (Write-up 9/13/2018)TELL our Congresspeople we want them to fight to see that these valuable and vulnerable members of our communities can remain here? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Let’s put two recent pieces of immigration news alongside one another. First, on September 5, NBC News reported that in 2017 the National Counterterrorism Center completed a report analyzing the risks presented by immigrants entering the country. The risks, according to that report? Pretty much nonexistent. When the report was brought to a meeting with Associate Attorney General Rachel Bland, she announced “We read that. The Attorney General doesn’t agree with the conclusions of that report.” Never mind that one organization contributing to the report was the FBI, an organization under the direction of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. A few months later, Trump political appointees wrote a new report contradicting that prepared by U.S. intelligence agencies and claiming that immigrants represent a significant terrorist threat. The new report is being challenged in court for allegedly excluding incidents of domestic terrorism by white supremacists, and wrongly including terrorist acts committed overseas by individuals who were later brought to the U.S. to stand trial for those acts. In others, the government brought in the terrorists it warns of and had them in custody. Former Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord, who worked for the Justice Department’s National Security Division—which has the responsibility for prosecuting alleged terrorism—described the report as “both over-inclusive and under-inclusive” resulting in “an inaccurate picture of the threats of terrorism within in the United States. Alongside this bit of news, let’s place an analysis, also from NBC, of Immigration and Custom Enforcement data from the first fourteen months of the Trump administration. This data shows that federal arrests of undocumented immigrants with no criminal record have tripled under Trump (in a comparison with data from the final fourteen months of the Obama administration) and may still be accelerating. (Write-up 9/9/18)DECRY this distorting of data and subsequent harassment and pursuit of individuals without criminal records to? Jeff Sessions, Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20530-0001, (202) 353-1555? Ronald D. Vitiello, Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th St. SW, Washington DC 20536,(866) DHS-2-ICE? Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chair, Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4751? Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Ranking Member, Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4751Under Trump, last year’s U.S. refugee cap was 45,000. Compare that with the highest annual admissions ceilings set by recent U.S. Presidents: Ronald Regan, 140,000; George H. W. Bush, 142,000; Bill Clinton, 121,000; George W. Bush, 80,000; and Barak Obama, 110,000. Bear in mind that these are caps, so the actual number of refugees admitted may be significantly lower. Now, according to the New York Times, the Trump administration is considering cutting the refugee cap to 25,000. (Write-up 9/9/18)APPEAL to our Congresspeople to fight to raise the cap to at least 75,000 (a number suggested by the International Refugee Committee) for next year and REMIND them that given U.S. involvement in conflicts across the globe we have an obligation to take in a fair share of those people displaced by these conflicts? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Even though the Trump administration has stopped its family separation policy under a court order, it has not reunited families at the rate demanded by the judge ruling in that case. In fact, as of the end of August 416 immigrant minors were still in U.S. custody, including 15 children under the age of five. Nearly 2/3 of these children have parents who were deported during the first few weeks of the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy. (Write-up 9/9/18) (Updated 9/10/18)DEMAND that greater funding and staff be devoted to family reunification? Ronald D. Vitiello, Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th St. SW, Washington DC 20536,(866) DHS-2-ICE? Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494ASK our Congresspeople to keep advocating for family reunification? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Several recent press reports have documented the challenges facing unaccompanied minors in immigration courts. Because immigration courts are considered civil courts, not criminal, unaccompanied children aren’t guaranteed a right to a court-appointed attorney. Having an attorney makes an immense difference in the results of these court appearances. According to data gathered by Syracuse University tracking rulings through 2014, only 12% of unrepresented minors wind up being allowed to remain in the U.S.; more than 80% of represented children are allowed to remain. In an opinion piece for the New York Times, Americans for Immigrant Justice explains: “We created a coloring book to explain to these children their rights. It explains concepts such as what a country is, who is an immigrant and what a judge does. We read the book to separated and unaccompanied children as part of our ‘know your rights’ presentations and have them act out scenarios from the story.” The situation of a proportion of these children is complicated by the fact that they speak only an indigenous language, not Spanish. If Congress chose to act, it could create regulations requiring representation for these children. (Write-up 8/30/2018)POINT OUT the cruel absurdity of the situation in which these children find themselves and DEMAND that they receive representation ? Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader, 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2541? Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, 322 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6542? Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), Speaker of the House, 1233 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3031? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861The U.S. government has begun denying passports to U.S. citizens with Spanish surnames living along our southern border. The Trump administration alleges that thousands such people were actually born on the Mexican side of the border and have fraudulent birth certificates. According to the State Department, “the U.S.-Mexico border region happens to be an area of the country where there has been significant incidence of citizenship fraud.” The Washington Post reports, “In some cases passport applicants with official U.S. birth certificates are being jailed in immigration detention centers and entered into deportation proceedings. In others, they are stuck in Mexico, their passports suddenly revoked when they attempt to reenter the United States. (Write-up 8/30/2018)OBJECT to this harassment of and disrespect for American citizens to? Donald Trump, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111? Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Ronald Vitiello, Acting Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th St. SW, Washington D.C. 20536, (866) DHS-2-ICEREQUEST an investigation by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of this mistreatment of American citizens? Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 423 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4651? Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 423 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4651URGE attention to these practices from our Congresspeople? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Our own Kamala Harris Has introduced the DONE Act (Detention Oversight, Not Expansion), S.2849, which would, as its title suggests, prohibit the construction of new immigration detention facilities and increase oversight of those currently operating. It is currently with the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which both California Senators sit. Companion legislation, H.R.5820, has been introduced in the House by Representative Pramila Jayapal, where it is with the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees. (Write-up 8/30/2018)THANKS to Senator Harris for introducing S.2849? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553URGE key members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to expedite discussion of S.2849? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841URGE key members of the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chair, House Homeland Security Committee, 176 Ford House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 226-8417? Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member, House Homeland Security Committee, 176 Ford House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 226-8417Miami New Times has reported on another example of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s heavy-handed and questionable practices. New Times recounts the story of Nolbiz Orellano, who fled Honduras after receiving death threats from gang members. He arrived alone in the U.S., asking for asylum, and hoping to join family members in Nebraska. However, ICE placed him in the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children, where he remained for three months—until his 18th birthday. “That's when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed up at the children's shelter, slapped handcuffs on Orellana's wrists, chained them to his waist, and shackled his legs together,” according to New Times. “The agents drove Orellana to the Broward Transitional Center, an infamous immigration jail in Pompano Beach, where he was thrown into a cell with men twice his age…. [W]hat happened to the Honduran refugee seems to have become ICE's national policy. ‘When they turn 18, it's basically, “Happy birthday,” and then they slap on handcuffs and take them off to adult detention centers,’ says Lisa Lehner, an attorney with the nonprofit Americans for Immigrant Justice. Since April, at least 14 children at the Homestead center have been handcuffed on their 18th birthdays and taken to a jail cell in Broward, Lehner says. And at least one of those kids had been separated from his father under the Trump administration's since-abandoned policy to rip apart families that crossed the border together.” (Write-up 8/24/18)DECRY this inhumane and potentially illegal treatment of young asylum-seekers to? Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Ronald Vitiello, Acting Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th St. SW, Washington D.C. 20536, (866) DHS-2-ICE? Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC 20201, (877) 696-6775? Steven Wagner, Acting Assistant Secretary, Administration for Children and Families, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, (202) 401-9200? Scott Lloyd, Director, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C ST SW, Washington DC 20201, (202) 401-9246REMIND our Congresspeople that we haven’t forgotten about ICE’s abuses, even if they’ve “fallen below the fold” as other Trump administration activities emerge and ASK that they investigate these new allegations and keep fighting for fair, respectful treatment of all people arriving to the U.S. in hopes of creating better lives for themselves and of contributing to our national community? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Two laws dating back to the Immigration Act of 1929 criminalize crossing the U.S. border without authorization. These are Title 8 U.S. codes 1325 and 1326. Repealing these laws would decrease family separation, stop wasting taxpayer dollars on mass detention, and add some humanity to our immigration policies. (Write-up 8/10/2018)ENCOURAGE our Congresspeople to investigate a repeal to this two laws that are currently being abused to injure so many? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861From Rogan’s List: In its latest attack on immigrants, the administration is putting forth a proposal to limit legal immigrants from attaining citizenship, especially those who have used public assistance. Ultimately, this policy will result in increased deportations, hunger, and homelessness for families and children. The number of immigrants who were granted green cards dropped 20% from 2016 to 2018. (Write-up 8/10/2018)REGISTER our outrage over this new policy with? Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Ronald Vitiello, Acting Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th St. SW, Washington D.C. 20536, (866) DHS-2-ICE? Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chair, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, 328 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5323? Senator Claire McKaskill (D-MO), Ranking Member, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, 503 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6154? Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security, 2001 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515? Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member, House Committee on Homeland Security, 2466 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 226-8417ASK our Congresspeople what they can do to assure the hard-working legal immigrants are not denied the process of attaining citizenship? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861An Action Network petition explains: “Privatized detention and incarceration centers are hell on earth—and they are big business for private companies. Ending private detention is a way to start ending detention—period…. Between 2014 and 2018, the Office of Refugee Resettlement paid private companies $3.4 Billion to house migrant children. Further, 44 percent of those companies face serious, well documented reports and allegations of child maltreatment. These include forced administration of psychotropic drugs and physical and sexual abuse. Another $2 billion is spent on adults’ facilities…. These privatized detention centers are big money makers for the industry.” (Write-up 8/10/2018)INSIST to key administration and Congressional figures that this profit-motivated, privatized detention needs to end now? Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Ronald Vitiello, Acting Director, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th St. SW, Washington D.C. 20536, (866) DHS-2-ICE? Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chair, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, 328 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5323? Senator Claire McKaskill (D-MO), Ranking Member, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, 503 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6154? Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security, 2001 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515? Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member, House Committee on Homeland Security, 2466 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 226-8417Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has ordered officials from the Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Department of Juvenile Justice to investigate abuse claims by migrant teens who were held in the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center juvenile detention facility in the state. Northam has promised, “If Virginia public officials find evidence of abuse or mistreatment at this facility, my administration will do everything we can to ensure the safety of these children.” The Governor’s action follows claims made by six teens being held at the detention facility for months or years after entering the U.S. The teens say they were stripped, strapped to chairs with bags over their heads, had their mattresses, bedding, and clothes taken away, and placed in solitary for weeks at a time. (Write-up 8/10/2018)THANK Governor Northam for initiating this investigation? Governor Ralph Northam, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 1475, Henrico, VA 23233, (804) 786-2211SUGGEST to Homeland Security that the responsibility to investigate—and end—these abuses should be theirs? Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494Since a month after his inauguration, Trump planned to separate children from their parents at the border. He has done so and the results are inhumanely disastrous. We need a special investigator to determine how this can be remedied, responsible people held accountable, and policies set so this can never happen again. (Write-up 8/10/2018)ASK our Congresspeople to look for (or create) opportunities support an investigation of this kind? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861As of July 15, 273,000 U.S.-born children were in danger of being separated from their foreign-born TPS-receiving parents, if those parents are deported as planned by the Trump administration. TPS stands for Temporary Protected Status, and many of these families have been here for decades under this immigration program, such as the Honduran refugees who came after Hurricane Mitch in 1999 or the El Salvadoran refugees who came after two earthquakes in 2001. The Department of Homeland Security plans to begin deportations when the current TPS statuses run out in 2019 and 2020 (depending on country of origin). The State Department still issues travel advisories for their countries of origins, suggesting they are not safe to return to. People forced to flee their home countries who have legally made their homes in the United States, many of them for more than a decade, are facing deportation with Trump stripping them of their temporary protected status. The American Promise Act of 2017, H.R.4253, and the SECURE Act, S.2144, would provide permanent legal residency and a pathway to citizenship for all TPS holders. Each of these pieces of legislation is with the Judiciary Committee of its respective house. (Write-up 8/10/2018)TELL our Congresspeople and key House and Senate Judiciary Committee members that it’s essential to avoid a new round of family separations and that we want people with TPS to be able to remain here with their children and away from harm? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951GENERAL DECENCYThe “Strength in Diversity Act,” which would give funds to elementary and secondary schools that institute programs to increase their diversity, has been introduced in both houses of Congress. In the Senate, this legislation is S.3413; in the House it is H.R.6722. The Senate version of the bill is with the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee; the House version is with the Education and the Workforce Committee. (Write-up 9/13/2018)ENCOURAGE our Senators to support S.3413? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553ENCOURAGE our Representative to support H.R.6722? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861URGE key members of the Senate HELP Committee to take quick action on S.3413? Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chair, HELP Committee,428 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5375? Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member, Committee,428 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5375URGE key members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee to take quick action on H.R.6722? Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chair, Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Vice-Chair, Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) Ranking Member), Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527We’re entering another hurricane season, and Puerto Rico is still struggling to recover from last year. Meanwhile Trump is spinning Puerto Rico’s 3000+ deaths as “fake news” created by the Democrats to hurt him. We can’t turn Trump into a decent human being, but we can stand up for Puerto Rico.INSIST that Puerto Rico not be forgotten and that further funding be found for its recovery efforts? Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? William B. “Brock” Long, FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C St. SW, Washington DC 20472, (202) 646-2500? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861The bipartisan “Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act,” S.1917, would result in a number of much-needed reforms in sentencing in federal courts. These include limiting the use of mandatory many mandatory minimum sentences and a requirement that all federal prisons have recidivism reduction programs including things like academic courses and jobs training. Dianne Feinstein was one of the original sponsors of this legislation. Kamala Harris has become a cosponsor. S.1917 has made it through the Senate Judiciary Committee. (Write-up 9/9/18)TELL the Senate Majority Leader that this bipartisan legislation needs to be brought to a vote of the full Senate as soon as possible? Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader, 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2541THANK our Senators for supporting S.1917? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553Two bills that would improve police accountability are on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature. A.B.748 would require police departments to release body camera footage for most police shootings within 45 days. S.B.1421 would make investigation records public in police shootings and confirmed cases of sexual assault or lying by police. Since 1978, California has shielded records on police misconduct, so these bills would mark an important change in state practice. (Write-up 9/9/18)URGE the Governor to sign A.B.748 and S.B.1421 into law to improve police accountability? Governor Edmund G. Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-2841Politico reports that at least five complains involving transgender bathroom access have been filed with the Civil Rights Office of the Department of Education. These cases have been ignored because Education Secretary DeVos has halted such investigations. The lack of available bathrooms and the isolated location of such bathrooms add to the constant reminders of their difference that transgendered students experience at school every day. (Write-up 8/30/2018)AFFIRM to the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights that these students have a right to accommodations and the Department of Education’s Civil Rights Office should be investigating their claims? Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington DC 20202, (800) 872-5327? Ken Marcus, Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington DC 20202, (800) 872-5327When he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in early August Randy Moss wore a very special tie—one embroidered with the names of twelve black men and women who were killed by police or died in police custody, including Tamar Rice, Eric Garner, Walter Scott, and Michael Brown. After the induction ceremony, Moss explained to the NFL Network that he “wanted to express with [his] tie” that the families of those listed “were not alone. I’m not here voicing, but by having these names on my tie in a big platform like the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there’s a lot of stuff going on in our country, and I just wanted these family members to know they’re not alone.” Since then, some have thanked Moss for this gesture, but he has also been receiving death threats from others who resented this gesture. (Write-up 8/24/18)THANKS to Randy Moss for keeping alive the memories of these men and women and for reminding us of the circumstances of their deaths? Randy Moss, c/o Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton, OH 44708, (330) 456-8207In response to endless calls reporting on people eating/driving/sleeping/swimming while Black, New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton has proposed legislation that would make 911 calls made against people of color when there is no evidence of any wrongdoing a hate crime. “This pattern of calling the police on black people going about their business and participating in the life of our country has to stop,” Hamilton told his local paper, the Prospect Heights Patch. (Write-up 8/24/18)ASK our state representatives to consider similar legislation in California? Senator Bill Monning, 701 Ocean St., Suite 318A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 425-0401? Assemblymember Anna Caballero [Watsonville], 275 Main St., Suite 400, Watsonville, CA 95076, (831) 768-3035? Assemblymember Mark Stone [Santa Cruz], 701 Ocean St., 318B, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 425-1503From Rogan’s List: “Even though the administration is threatening a government shutdown if Congress doesn’t provide funding for a border wall, the Government Accountability Office announced yesterday that the White House has not yet provided a full analysis of the costs and projected outcomes of the project.” (Write-up 8/10/2018)TELL our Congresspeople that without a complete accounting of the full costs and benefits of the project, it would be fiscally irresponsible to move forward, no matter what the president is threatening—and moving forward on this wall would threaten our relationship with Mexico? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Newsweek reports that inmate fire fighters working on California’s many wildfires are being paid $2 a day, with a $1 per hour additional for hours spent actively fighting fires. Regardless of whether these firefighters are inmates, they are putting their lives on the line to protect the people, land, and property of this state and deserve much better. Currently 3,400 inmates from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation—and at least 58 juvenile offenders—are serving our state in this capacity. California saves an estimated $80 million a year from using these underpaid firefighters. (Write-up 8/10/2018)DECRY the underpayment of these firefighters facing conditions most of us cannot even imagine? Governor Edmund G. Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-2841? Scott Kernan, Secretary, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 1515 S St., Sacramento, CA 95811, (916) 324-7308? Kathleen Allison, Director of Adult Institutions, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 1515 S St., Sacramento, CA 95811, (916) 324-7308? Charles Supple, Director, Division of Juvenile Justice, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 1515 S St., Sacramento, CA 95811, (916) 324-7308? Brantley Choate, Director, Division of Rehabilitative Programs, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, 1515 S St., Sacramento, CA 95811, (916) 324-7308GUNSAmong the pieces of legislation waiting on Governor Brown’s signature is S.B.1100, which would raise the legal age for buying firearms to 21. (Write-up 9/13/2018)URGE the Governor to sign off on this legislation? Governor Edmund G. Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-2841Yet another piece of legislation currently on the Governor’s desk is S.B.221, which would ban gun shows at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. The Governor has vetoed similar legislation in the past, so he needs to hear from Californians who are trying to reasonably limit gun sales. (Write-up 9/9/18)URGE the Governor to sign S.B.221—whatever his reasoning in the past, this bill is needed now? Governor Edmund G. Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-2841Despite a federal court order blocking the sale of blueprints for guns that can be produced with 3-D printers, Cody Wilson, continues the online sale of such blueprints. One way of addressing this issue (since it appears the court order is not being enforced) would be passage of S.533 and H.R.2033, the “Undetectable Firearms Modernization Acts.” These pieces of legislation would expand the federal definition of firearms to include printable guns and their components to the federal list of prohibited firearms. Each of these pieces of legislation is currently with its house’s Judiciary Committee. (Write-up 8/30/2018)POINT OUT the need for legislation regulating printable guns, DECRY the current violation of the court order barring selling of blueprints for these guns, and URGE movement of both versions of the Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act through committees? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951AB.2103, which would require training prior to the issuing of concealed carry permits in the state of California, has passed both the state Senate and Assembly and now awaits the governor’s signature. (Write-up 8/24/18)URGE our Governor to do the right thing and make it harder to get a concealed carry permit than a driver training permit (because right now it isn’t…)? Governor Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-2841The “3D Printed Gun Safety Act,” S.3304, would ban online publication of directions for making a gun with a 3D printer. The bill, which is currently with the Senate Judiciary Committee, has thirty-two co-sponsors, including our own Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, who both sit on the Judiciary Committee. (Write-up 8/24/18)THANKS to our Senators for standing up for reasonable restrictions on potentially untraceable weapons? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553EXPLAIN to the Judiciary Committee Chair that you want to see S.3304 expedited through committee? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744H.R.6649 would prohibit publishing 3D printer plans for the printing of firearms, which besides being easy to make are also untraceable. At the moment, this legislation has only three cosponsors, all Democrats. Given the nightmare possibilities that 3d printer guns would open up, it deserves much strong support—and bipartisan support. H.R.6649 is currently with the House Judiciary Committee. (Write-up 8/10/2018)URGE our Representative to become a cosponsor of this crucial legislation? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861INSIST to key members of the House Judiciary Committee that you want to see this legislation prioritized—regardless of an individual’s stance on gun regulation, we can agree that printable guns are dangerous and dissemination of plans for making them is irresponsible? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951Two pieces of House legislation could set important, reasonable gun controls. H.R.6643 would require that all firearms be traceable, which could help restrict the making of guns on 3d printers. H.R.6654 would allow only licensed dealers to transfer guns at gun shows, ending unregulated sales and trading among attendees. Both are currently with the House Judiciary Committee. (Write-up 8/10/2018)URGE key House Judiciary Committee members to support H.R.6643 NS 6654? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951TELL our Representative that we want strong support for these bills if they reach the House floor? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861H.R.367 is an ill-advised piece of legislation that would essentially eliminate all restrictions on gun silencers and would “treat any person who acquires or possesses a firearm silencer as meeting any registration or licensing requirements of the National Firearms Act with respect to such a silencer.” It would also require refunding of the current $200 silencer tax to anyone who paid it on or after October 22, 2015. H.R.367 Is currently with the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. (Write-up 8/10/2018)EXHORT our Representative to fight this dangerous piece of legislation? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861INFORM key members of the House Ways and Means and Judiciary Committees that this legislation is a move in the wrong direction and will make Americans and law enforcement more vulnerable? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chair, House Ways and Means Committee,1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 205615, (202) 225-3625? Representative Richard Neal (D-MA), Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Committee,1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 205615, (202) 225-3625HEALTHCARE and HEALTHThe Money Follow the Person Program (MFP) has enabled people with disabilities to transition out of institutions, in order to live in less restrictive environments, become more independent, and integrate into their communities. Unfortunately, the program was not renewed in 2016 and is now sunsetting, ending FMP funding for states. The EMPOWER Care Act (S.2227 in the Senate; H.R.5306) would reauthorize the MFP demonstration program. (Write-up 9/13/2018)ASK our Senators to keep an eye out for S.2227 and to give it their full support? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553ASK our Representative to keep an eye out for H.R.5306 and to give it his full support? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is not only higher than in other developed nations, but it is also getting worse. What's more is the large disparity in the maternal health and morbidity rates of black women, as compared to white women. S.1112 and H.R.1318, the “Maternal Health Accountability Act,” would provide funding for maternal mortality review committees in each state to examine and address the cause of maternal deaths. S.3363, the “Maternal CARE Act” (introduced by our own Kamala Harris), would work to end maternal mortality by using “evidence-based quality improvement to protect the health of mothers during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the postpartum period and to reduce neonatal and infant mortality [in order] to eliminate racial disparities in maternal health outcomes.” S.1112 is with the Senate Help, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP). H.R.1318 is with the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee. S.3363 is with the Senate Finance Committee. (Write-up 8/30/2018)THANKS to Senator Harris for introducing S.3363? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553URGE key HELP Committee members to push for quick movement of S.1112 through committee and to the Senate floor? Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chair, Health Education Labor, and Pensions Committee, 428 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5375? Senator Patty Murray (D-OR), Ranking Member, Health Education Labor, and Pensions Committee, 428 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5375URGE key Energy and Commerce Committee/Subcommittee members to push for quick movement of H.R.1318 through committee and onto the House floor? Representative Greg Walden (R-OR), Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), Vice-Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX), Chair, Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KT), Vice-Chair, Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Gene Green (D-TX), Ranking Member, Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927URGE key Senate Finance Committee members to push for quick movement of S.3363 through committee and onto the Senate floor? Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), Chair, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515? Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking member, Senate Finance Committee, 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4515Don’t let S.3388, the deceptively titled “Ensuring Coverage for Patients with Pre-Existing Conditions Act,” get your hopes up. Republicans are touting it as a way to guarantee insurance coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. If passed, S.3388 would go into effect if states (led by Texas) are successful in a suit claiming that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. Larry Levitt, Senior Vice President for healthcare reform at the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation, explains, “An insurer would have to give you coverage if you have a pre-existing condition, but it could exclude any services associated with your pre-existing condition.” (Write-up 8/30/2018)REMIND Congressional leaders and our own Congresspeople that we want real healthcare that addresses our real health issues and POINT OUT that S.3388 is an utter failure at doing this? Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader, 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2541? Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, 322 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6542? Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), Speaker of the House, 1233 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3031? Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Majority Leader, 2421 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2915? Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA), House Majority Whip, 2338 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3015? Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Minority Leader, 223 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4965? Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Minority Whip, 1705 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4131? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861The 2003 “United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act,” which funds global healthcare programs is set to expire this year. H.R.6651 would extent the act through 2023, leaving those programs in place. The legislation has bipartisan support and is currently with the House Foreign Affairs Committee. (Write-up 8/25/18)URGE our Representative to become a co-sponsor and to fight vocally and consistently to see that S.6651 passes? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861EXLAIN to key members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee that these programs are essential to global health (and we’re part of that globe) and reflect the kind of leadership constructive U.S. that has been lacking recently and URGE quick movement of S.6651 through committee? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-39561? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-39561? Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-39561? Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA), Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-39561? Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-39561In a piece from Counter Punch, Conn Hallinan (formerly a Journalism Program faculty member at UCSC) explains why and how climate change is leading to increased health threats across the globe. Early springs and late falls lead to longer lifespans for disease vectors like ticks and mosquitos, meaning individual insects have more time to infect people with the diseases they carry. As temperatures increase, “tropical” diseases are expanding into new territory. The list of threats is terrifying: Malaria is becoming resistant to most antibiotics; Denge Fever is now found in 100 countries (in 1970, it was limited to nine); Yellow Fever is making a comeback. At the same time, the administration is making dangerous cuts to existing U.S. and global health programs. Donald Trump has asked for $15 billion in healthcare funding, with particular emphasis on reducing funding for overseas programs. National Security Adviser John Bolton has eliminated the National Security Agency’s (NSA) program for epidemic prevention. (Write-up 8/25/18)WARN Trump that no one is safe from epidemic disease, which can now cross national boundaries easily with air travel, and that he shouldn’t be trying to cut healthcare funding in the U.S. or abroad? Donald Trump, White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111DEMAND to know how the NSA plans to deal with global epidemics with no program in place to do that work? John Bolton, National Security Adviser, 9800 Savage Rd., Suite 6272, Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755-6000, (301) 688-6311URGE our Congresspeople to recognize the connection between climate change and epidemic disease and to fight for better healthcare funding at home and abroad? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861HUMAN and CIVIL RIGHTSNational Security Adviser John Bolton has denounced the International Criminal Court (ICC), which prosecutes crimes against humanity, most notably genocide. The ICC is recognized by 123 nations, but the U.S. has never been one of them. Bolton’s move comes at a time when new cases are expected to be open to look at crimes committed by Afghan national security forces, Taliban and Haqqani militants—and U.S. forces and intelligence in Afghanistan, who are accused of torture and illegal imprisonment. Bolton also criticized the PLO’s efforts to press war crimes charges against Israel for its policies in the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Gaza. (Write-up 9/14/18)EXPRESS your respect for the ICC and EXPLAIN to Bolton that the best way to avoid problems with the ICC is to avoid systematic violations of international law.? John Bolton, National Security Adviser, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111The Republican administration has a new tactic for reducing immigration: find a mistake or a piece of missing evidence on a visa or green card application, don’t contact the applicant, and immediately deny the application. Past practice was to contact applicants about minor errors and to ask that their applications be updated. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers can choose to contact applicants about problems with their applications, but they are no longer required to do this as they were during the Obama administration. (Write-up 9/14/18)TELL USCIS leadership that people applying for citizenship and hoping to contribute to America should not be irrevocably penalized for minor errors? L. Francis Cissna, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 1111 Massachusetts Ave., Washington DC 20005, (800) 375-5283? Tammy Meckley, Associate Director, Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 1111 Massachusetts Ave., Washington DC 20005, (800) 375-5283? Kathy Neubel Kovarik, Chief, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, 1111 Massachusetts Ave., Washington DC 20005, (800) 375-5283EXPRESS CONCERN about this change in USCIS policy to our Congresspeople? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861The State of Virginia has confirmed that immigrant teenagers at the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center were strapped to chairs and had mesh bags placed over their heads. There is, however, nothing to worry about, as this treatment does not meet the state’s legal threshold of abuse or neglect. The state review followed Associated Press reports that children as young as fourteen were being beaten while handcuffed and locked naked for long periods into solitary. (Write-up 9/14/18)CASTIGATE administration officials for allowing this treatment under the guise of “homeland security”? Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Ave. SW, Washington DC20201, (202) 690-7000URGE our Congresspeople to voice their objection to these practices by the Republican administration? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Now that the Supreme Court has upheld Trump’s travel ban, primarily affecting people from predominantly Muslim countries, we need to look for other ways to fight back against this form of faith- and race-based discrimination. A pair of bills, S.1979 in the Senate and H.R.4271 in the House, would prohibit the spending of federal funds to support these bans. Feinstein and Harris are cosponsors of S.1979. Panetta has not cosponsored H.R.4271. These bills have been sitting in committee since late last year. S.1979 is currently with the Senate Judiciary Committee on which both Feinstein and Harris sit. H.R.4271 is with four committees/subcommittees: the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Select Intelligence Committee, the Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee, and the Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee of the Committee on the Judiciary. (Write-up 9/9/18)TELL committee leadership that we want to see action on this legislation? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 225-5021? Representative Francis Rooney (R-FL), Vice-Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 225-5021? Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2170 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 225-5021? Representative Devin Nunes (R-CA), Chair, House Select Intelligence Committee, Capitol Visitor Center HVC-304, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington DC 20515-6415, (202) 225-4121? Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ranking Member, House Select Intelligence Committee, Capitol Visitor Center HVC-304, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington DC 20515-6415, (202) 225-7690? Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chair, House Homeland Security Committee, 176 Ford House Office Building, Washington DC 20515-6480, (202) 226-8147? Representative Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member, House Homeland Security Committee, 176 Ford House Office Building, Washington DC 20515-6480, (202) 226-8147? Representative Martha McSally (R-AZ), Chair, Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, House Homeland Security Committee, 176 Ford House Office Building, Washington DC 20515-6480, (202) 226-8147? Representative Filemon Vela (D-TX), Ranking Member, Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, House Homeland Security Committee, 176 Ford House Office Building, Washington DC 20515-6480, (202) 226-8147? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Raúl Labrador (R-ID), Chair, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951Nigerian Udoka Nweke is gay and fled his home country to seek asylum in the U.S. He has been held in Adelanto Detention Center, a privately-run immigration detention center, since December 2016. When his asylum application was denied, Nweke attempted suicide. Since then he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression. The Black LGBT Migrant Project have petitioned for Nweke’s release so he can access lifesaving medical treatment. (Write-up 9/9/18)JOIN the Black LGBT Migrant Project’s call for Nweke’s release by appealing to? David Marin, Adelanto ICE Field Director, Adelanto East 1400 Rancho Road, Adelanto, CA 92301, (760) 561-6100Some Americans of Mexican heritage delivered by midwives, especially those living in the Rio Grande Valley, are being denied passports because the State Department is questioning their state-issued birth certificates, claiming that midwives often provide a U.S. address for babies delivered on the Mexico side of the border to give infants U.S. citizenship. As a result, these individuals are being asked to prove their citizenship by providing obscure, often unavailable, documentation, like their mothers’ prenatal care records or rental agreements from their infancy. (Write-up 9/9/18) (h/t Rogan’s List)OBJECT to this stripping of citizenship rights? Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520-2204, (202) 647-6575? Michelle S. Guida, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs, State Department, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520-2204, (202) 647-6575SHARE your objections with our Congresspeople and URGE action to end this harassment and denial of rights of U.S. citizens? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861The Virginian-Pilot has published a comprehensive investigation of conditions for those experiencing mental illness in America’s jails, tracking the cases of 404 people with mental illnesses who have died in America’s jails since 2010. The Virginian-Pilot created its database using court records, Google searches, newspaper websites, state records, and existing databases. There are 900+ jail deaths each year in the U.S., but the federal government does not track mental illness diagnoses, nor do most states, so the figure of 404 is almost certainly an undercount. The patterns/problems this investigation found included the facts that 41% of mentally ill prisoners who died in custody were, or had recently been, held in isolation; 44% of these deaths were suicides, which can often be prevented with careful monitoring; in 70 cases, inmates were shocked with a taser or stun-gun, pepper-sprayed or restrained—often in combination—before dying; in at least eleven cases, family or friends warned jails of a prisoner’s mental illness and, in more than half of those cases, they attempted to bring the prisoner’s medications to the jail. Elizabeth Sinclair, of the Treatment Advocacy Group, explained, “The lack of data collection, the lack of accountability is such a systematic, widespread issue, and the fact that [the Virginian-Pilot’s study] is the only database that has this information available to people—it points to the fact that if data doesn’t exist then they [jails and jailers] cannot be held accountable to what’s happening. I think people expect the data to be collected by the criminal justice system, but the reality is, it’s not systematically collected on any level.” The Senate Judiciary Committee has oversight of the Bureau of Prisons. (Write-up 8/30/2018)CALL FOR close examination of this study and for meaningful legislation in response to it from key members of the Judiciary Committee, including both of California’s Senators? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553A number of women have come forward with claims that they were subjected to invasive body cavity searches by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, despite the fact that. Many of these women were travelling with valid U.S. passports. A number of law suits have been filed by these women. The Washington Post reports, “The women who’ve brought these lawsuits, including two minor girls, say CBP officers subjected them to indignities — such as strip searches while menstruating and prohibited genital probing — despite finding no contraband. Four women further allege they were handcuffed and transported to hospitals where, against their will, one underwent a pelvic exam and X-rays. In one of the cases, the woman’s lawsuit asserts she was intravenously drugged at the hospital, according to lawsuits. Such invasive medical procedures require a detainee’s consent or a warrant. In two cases, the plaintiffs say they were billed. A lawsuit filed in San Diego federal court on behalf of a Hispanic 16-year-old identified as C.R. alleges CBP strip-searched her last September as she and her adult sisters returned from a family visit to Mexico through the San Ysidro pedestrian port. The sisters were flagged after a false drug-sniffing dog alert, the lawsuit asserts. Female officers took C.R. aside and allegedly told the tearful girl to disrobe, hand over a sanitary pad, and squat and cough ‘while officers probed and shined a flashlight at her vaginal and anal areas,’ the lawsuit says.” The Senate Judiciary Committee has oversight of CBP. (Write-up 8/30/2018)DEMAND an immediate end to these abusive violations of the 4th Amendment by CBP officers from? Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Kevin McAleenan, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20229, (877) CBP-5511? Robert E. Perez, Acting Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20229, (877) CBP-5511? Jeff Sessions, Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20530-0001, (202) 353-1555CALL FOR a thorough investigation of these claims from key members of the Senate Judiciary Committee? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553Private prisons have well-documented higher abuse and civil rights violation rates in comparison to state-run prisons (which are not free from such problems themselves). While California makes less use of private prisons than some states, our use of private prisons is nonetheless growing. According to the Sentencing Project’s “Capitalizing on Mass Incarceration,” in 2000, California housed 4547 prisoners in private prisons. By 2016 that number had increased to 7005. During this same period, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisianna, and several other states ended all use of private prisons. Surely California can do the same. (Write-up 8/25/18)TELL our state legislators that we don’t want to see any prisoners in our state held in private prisons and that we don’t want our tax dollars going to those profiting from inhumane incarceration? Senator Bill Monning, 701 Ocean St., Suite 318A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 425-0401? Assemblymember Anna Caballero [Watsonville], 275 Main St., Suite 400, Watsonville, CA 95076, (831) 768-3035? Assemblymember Mark Stone [Santa Cruz], 701 Ocean St., 318B, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 425-1503A study from the National Academy of Sciences, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS), has found that (1) militarized police are more often deployed where there are more African-American residents, (2) militarized policing does not reduce crime or make police safer, and (3) militarized policing may hurt the reputation of the police. (Write-up 8/25/18)ASK our legislators at every level if they have seen the PNAS article and TELL them that we don’t want to see our police militarized? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861? Senator Bill Monning, 701 Ocean St., Suite 318A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 425-0401? Assemblymember Anna Caballero [Watsonville], 275 Main St., Suite 400, Watsonville, CA 95076, (831) 768-3035? Assemblymember Mark Stone [Santa Cruz], 701 Ocean St., 318B, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 425-1503For the moment Army has stopped discharging immigrant recruits seeking a path to citizenship. An internal memo from Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Marshall Williams states “Effective immediately, you will suspend processing of all involuntary separation actions.” According to Army Lt. Col. Nina L. Hill said they were stopping the discharges in order to review the administrative separation process. This decision could affect hundreds of enlistees. (Write-up 8/10/2018)THANKS for issuing this order and CALLS to make it permanent to? Marshall Williams, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, 111 Army Pentagon, #2E460, Washington DC 20310-0111, (703) 697-9253REQUEST an end to discharge of immigrant recruits from key Senate and House Armed Services Committees members? Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Chair, Senate Armed Services Committee, 228 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 224-3871? Senator Jack Reid (D-RI), Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee, 228 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 224-3871? Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chair, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151INTERNATIONALThe U.S. has announced the closure of the Palestinian mission in Washington DC. The State Department claims that the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) “has not taken steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel.” The Palestinian Authority (PA) has responded that this move will allow Israel to continue “the policies against the Palestinian People and Land.” At the same time, Trump has ordered that $200 million in aid, including $25 million that would have been used in East Jerusalem hospitals be “directed elsewhere,” essentially (as Rogan’s List points out) “weaponizing” humanitarian aid. (Write-up 9/14/18)CRITICIZE these short-sighted moves by the White House and State Department? Donald Trump, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111? Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520-2204, (202) 647-6575The New York Times reports that the U.S. has just certified that Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are doing enough to minimize the deadly impact of their campaign in Yemen. This certification comes at a time of repeated targeting of civilians by the Saudi and Emirati coalition, including the bombing of a school bus that killed twenty-two children. This certification means that the U.S. can continue allowing U.S. military aircraft to continue refueling warplanes belonging to the two Gulf Nations. (Write-up 9/14/18)TELL the Secretary of State that we have no business contributing to this genocidal war? Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520-2204, (202) 647-6575TELL our Congresspeople how disappointing you find this move and URGE them to keep fighting to end U.S. military support for the Saudi and Emiratis? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861In violation of Egyptian Law, Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein has been held beyond the maximum period of time permitted in pre-trial arrest (according to Section 143 of the Egyptian Penal Code). He has now been imprisoned for more than eighteen months and, a Cairo court has approved his continued detention for another forty-five days. Hussein has been put in solitary confinement. He has been accused of) “disseminating false news and receiving monetary funds from foreign authorities in order to defame the state’s reputation,” but has yet to be formally charged with any crime. Al Jazeera has denied all charges against Hussein and demands his immediate, unconditional release. (Write-up 9/9/18)JOIN Al Jazeera in calling for Hussein’s immediate release? Ambassador Yassed Reda, Egyptian Embassy, 3521 International Court NW, Washington DC 20008, (202) 966-6342Spain, the fourth largest arms supplier to the Saudi-led coalition war in Yemen, has just cancelled a $10.6 million arms sale to Saudi Arabia in a protest of the killing of civilian non-combatants. Spain has announced that it will be returning the money to Saudi Arabia. In March, the U.S. State Department approved a $1 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia over the objections of human rights groups. (Write-up 9/9/18)FIRMLY SUGGEST to the Department of State and to our Congresspeople that the U.S. should be following Spain’s example by discontinuing arms sales that support this combat being conducted in violation of the international rules of war? Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520-2204, (202) 647-6575? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Officials from the Pentagon are concerned about the U.S.’s failure to provide safe haven to Iraqi interpreters and others who have helped American forces in that country. The Pentagon is concerned that Iraqi locals may be more hesitant to cooperate when they notice that we don’t keep our promises—and that this may dissuade individuals in other combat zones from cooperating with the U.S. as well. In 2016, the U.S. admitted over 5,100 Iraqi refugees who had helped our government, and in 2017, over 3,000. So far in 2018, we have admitted only 48. (Write-up 9/9/18)TELL the Secretary of State that this failure to keep promises to those who have served the U.S. in good faith is both dishonorable and a path to greater difficulties in achieving cooperation—and greater hostility—from foreign nationals in the future? Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520-2204, (202) 647-6575The International Campaign for the Rohingya reports that, “the United Nations Security Council discussed a damning new UN report that concludes that Myanmar’s top military generals should be prosecuted for genocide against Rohingya in Rakhine State. The U.N. Fact-Finding-Mission on Myanmar found evidence of genocidal intent and compiled a ‘non-exhaustive list’ of alleged perpetrators of crimes under international law, including Burmese Commander-in-Chief Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing.This represents further evidence that the U.S. Administration needs to take tougher action. The U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, is on the verge of publishing the findings of a major State Department investigation into Burma's atrocities against the Rohingya. Holding up the report's publication is a heated internal U.S. government debate over whether to term the Burmese army's actions ‘crimes against humanity’ or ‘genocide.’ Whatever the term it uses, we must insist that the U.S. government publish the report as part of imposing further, tougher sanctions to end Burma's march toward the genocide of the Rohingya.” (Write-up 8/30/2018)URGE quick release of this report by Secretary Pompeo? Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520, (202) 647-4000United Nations investigators have issued a report alleging that the Saudi and Emirati colalition fighting in Yemen have engaged in war crimes, including killing thousands of civilians, torturing detainees, raping civilians, and using child soldiers. Kamel Jendoubi, the chairman of the panel of experts that produced the report noted, “There is little evidence of any attempt b y parties in the conflict to minimize civilian casualties.” Nevertheless, the U.S. continues to provide funding for the Saudi-Emerati coalition. (Write-up 8/30/2018)DEMAND an immediate end to the U.S. role in and funding of this conflict? Donald Trump, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111? Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520, (202) 647-4000? Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 423 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4651? Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 423 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4651There has been relatively little reporting in the U.S. of the current struggle in Nicaragua. The strife originated in a plan announced by the Ortega government to rework and scale back social security benefits. Following public protests against the proposed policy, the Ortega government began responding with repression and violence. By mid-July, the death toll had reached 273. Student activists have continued in their protests, despite government violence against them. The bipartisan legislation S.6683, the “Nicaragua Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Act,” would impose sanctions against those responsible for the violence in Nicaragua. S.6683 is currently with the Senate Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees. (Write-up 8/30/2018)URGE quick movement of S.6683 through the appropriate committees from? Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 423 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4651? Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 423 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4651? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553The situation in Yemen is worsening and American complicity is yielding deadly results. Recently, Saudi forces using a U.S. bomb destroyed a bus carrying school children. Forty boys between the ages of six and eleven were killed. Eleven adults were also killed. There were an additional seventy-nine casualties. This war was never authorized by Congress. It has fueled a cholera outbreak in addition to the usual violence of armed conflict. (Write-up 8/25/18)DEMAND that Congress mandate an end to the U.S. role in this conflict and the atrocities it has generated? Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader, 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2541? Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, 322 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6542? Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), Speaker of the House, 1233 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3031? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861The State Department has frozen approximately $230 million that had been intended to be used for Syrian stabilization projects. This follows a pattern of withdrawing or freezing support for Syrian recovery efforts, which the Trump administration has been doing since earlier this year. So far, the war has resulted in 400,000 deaths and has uprooted 12 million people, half of the country’s population. (Write-up 8/25/18)EXPLAIN to our Secretary of State that withdrawing support for Syrian stabilization is poor international policy, for which the U.S. may ultimately have to pay a steep price? Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, Department of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520, (202) 647-4000TELL our Congresspeople that we want the U.S. to do what it can to support Syrian stabilization? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861From Rogan’s List: “Trump has until the end of September to determine the number of refugees that the U.S. will accept for the next fiscal year. With Stephen Miller in the White House, along with new, more hardline cabinet secretaries Mike Pompeo and Kirstjen Nielsen, we can assume that it will be a fight to maintain the same number that we had this year, which was already a drastic reduction from previous years. Still, let's be sure that we do not make it easy for them to reduce the immigration cap even further this year.” (Write-up 8/10/2018) CONTACT administration officials and our Congresspeople to say we want to see immigration numbers maintained of increased for Fiscal Year 2019? Donald Trump, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111? Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Washington DC 20528-0075, (202) 282-8494? Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, US Department of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520, (202) 647-4000? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861Since late August 2017, the Burmese army has waged a brutal offensive against Rohingya communities in Burma (Myanmar). The military has now forced more than 600,000 people to seek refuge in Bangladesh. This is the worst example of ethnic cleansing that the world has witnessed in more than a decade. A bipartisan group of U.S. senators and representatives have introduced companion bills in the Senate and House to use U.S. leverage to end the violence, provide humanitarian assistance, and hold the perpetrators accountable. The Burma Human Rights and Freedom Act (S.2060) and the Burma Unified Through Rigorous Military Accountability Act (H.R.4223) will:-Mandate the U.S. government to take steps to help end the repression and violence against the Rohingya.-Facilitate continued U.S. humanitarian assistance to the affected people.-Implement targeted sanctions against Burmese military officials responsible for the atrocities.-Effectively prohibit U.S. military-to-military cooperation with Burma's army.-Call for full implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, which includes recognition of citizenship rights for the Rohingya.S.2060 is currently with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Dianne Feinstein is a co-sponsor; Kamala Harris is not. H.R.4223 is currently with four House committees: Foreign Affairs; Financial Services; Armed Services; and Ways and Means. Jimmy Panetta is not a co-sponsor, but is a member of the Armed Forces Committee. (Write-up 8/10/2018)DECRY these ongoing crimes against humanity and ask for swift action on S.2060 from? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225DECRY these ongoing crimes against humanity and ask for swift action on H.R.4223 from? Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2066 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515 (202) 225-5021? Representative Francis Rooney (R-FL), Vice-Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2066 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515 (202) 225-5021? Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2066 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515 (202) 225-5021? Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Chair, House Financial Services Committee, 2129 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-7502? Representative Patrick T. McHenry (R-NC), Vice Chair, House Financial Services Committee, 2129 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-7502? Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member, House Financial Services Committee, 2129 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-7502? Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chair, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chair, House Ways and Means Committee,1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625? Representative Richard Neal (D-MA), Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Committee,1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625INTERNETS.B.822, California’s net neutrality legislation has been passed by the State Senate and Assembly and awaits the Governor’s signature. (Write-up 9/9/18)URGE Governor brown to protect the people of California and to provide national leadership on this issue by signing S.B.822? Governor Edmund G. Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-2841From Rogan’s List: “When Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai repealed net neutrality rules earlier this year, he promised that fair access to the Internet would instead be protected by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Now we're hearing that ISPs have been busily lobbying the FTC hard, to convince it to abandon any defense of net neutrality as well. Furthermore, they are pressuring the FTC to issue new rules to prevent states from passing their own net neutrality laws, as California is doing.” (Write-up 8/30/2018)TELL the FTC to be better than the FCC, and to not drop the ball on this crucial issue because more than ever before, democracy depends on free access to information!? Joseph J. Simons, Chair, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania NW 20580, (202) 326-2222? Maureen K. Ohlhausen, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania NW 20580, (202) 326-2222? Noah Joshua Phillips, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania NW 20580, (202) 326-2222? Rohit Chopra, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania NW 20580, (202) 326-2222? Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania NW 20580, (202) 326-2222In a move that can only be called dumbfounding—or maybe murderous is the right word—Verizon slowed internet speeds for a California firefighters’ command post fighting the Mendocino Complex Fire, the biggest in our state’s history. The data connection for the unit was slowed to about one two-hundredth of its usual speed, forcing firefighters to rely on other agencies’ internet services and personal devices. Verizon had been pushing the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection Unit, which ran the command post affected, to switch to a new, more expensive data plan. Homes and lives were at stake and Verizon pursued profit over public safety. This is a particularly troubling example of why net neutrality is essential to prevent deliberate slowing of internet speeds. (Write-up 8/25/18)DEMAND a restoration of net neutrality by the Federal Communications Commission and ASK the Commissioners how they would feel if their homes were literally in the line of fire? Ajit Pai, Chair, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th St. SW, Washington DC 20544, (888) 225-5322? Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th St. SW, Washington DC 20544, (888) 225-5322? Brendan Carr, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th St. SW, Washington DC 20544, (888) 225-5322? Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th St. SW, Washington DC 20544, (888) 225-5322URGE our Congresspeople to monitor this situation and to be vocal in calling attention to this consequence of abandoning net neutrality? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861CASTIGATE Verizon and its official for their willingness to risk lives to make a few dollars more per month? Hans Vestberg, Chief Executive Officer, Verizon Communications, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 559-2001? Ronan Dunne, Executive Vice President and Group President, Verizon Communications, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 559-2001? Kenneth Dixon, Senior Vice president and Group President—Consumer Sales and Service, Verizon Communications, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 559-2001? Matthew D. Ellis, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Verizon Communications, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 559-2001? Tami Erwin, Executive Vice President—Wireless Operations, Verizon Communications, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 559-2001? Rose Stuckey Kirk, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, Verizon Communications, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 559-2001? Craig Silliman, Executive Vice President—Public Policy and General Counsel, Verizon Communications, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 559-2001? James J. Gerace, Chief Communications Officer, Verizon Communications, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 559-2001? Rima Qureshi, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Verizon Communications, One Verizon Way, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, (908) 559-2001JUDICIARYFollowing a deal between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer which would guarantee an on-time break for the Senate, the confirmation of seven federal district judges was fast-tracked, with all seven being confirmed in a single day. This was problematic in multiple ways. First, these are more of Trump’s lifetime appointments, that will be shaping the laws of our land long after Trump leaves office, making any delay in their confirmation (even if that confirmation appears certain) a small success. Second, a number of Democratic Senators voted in favor of some of these candidates, including Charles Goodwin, who was ranked as “not qualified” by the American Bar Association. (Write-up 8/30/2018)REMIND Senator Schumer that in the current political climate, where courts are essential to assure limitations on executive overreach and an extremely conservative agenda, he should not be making it easy to confirm extremist judges? Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, 322 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6542EXPRESS your disappointment in the six Democrats who voted to confirm Goodwin, pointing out that it’s one thing to confirm a judicial appointee nominated by a President on the other side of the aisle and quite a different thing to confirm a judicial appointee who has been evaluated as unqualified by the body governing his profession? Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN), 702 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-4814? Senator Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH), 330 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3324? Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), 302 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3244? Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), 503 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6154? Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), 309 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-5641? Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), 311 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2644From Rogan’s List: “Now that Trump has been named as an unindicted co-conspirator in violating campaign finance laws, several Democratic Senators are taking a stand and insisting that the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing needs to be put on hold. A president whose legitimacy is in question should not be appointing a Supreme Court Justice, especially one who has been on record stating that a President should be immune from criminal investigation. The Mueller investigation must continue before this appointment is considered. As Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) tweeted…, ‘As an unindicted co-conspirator of a federal crime, President Trump should not be allowed to appoint someone to a lifetime position on the highest court in our land–a court which may very well adjudicate on this matter.’” (Write-up 8/25/18)DEMAND that key Senate figures put any consideration of Kavanaugh—or any other Supreme Court nominee—on hold until the Mueller investigation is complete? Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader, 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2541? Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, 322 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6542? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553From Rogan’s List: “Now that Trump has been named as an unindicted co-conspirator in violating campaign finance laws, several Democratic Senators are taking a stand and insisting that the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing needs to be put on hold. A president whose legitimacy is in question should not be appointing a Supreme Court Justice, especially one who has been on record stating that a President should be immune from criminal investigation. The Mueller investigation must continue before this appointment is considered. As Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) tweeted…, ‘As an unindicted co-conspirator of a federal crime, President Trump should not be allowed to appoint someone to a lifetime position on the highest court in our land–a court which may very well adjudicate on this matter.’” (Write-up 8/25/18)DEMAND that key Senate figures put any consideration of Kavanaugh—or any other Supreme Court nominee—on hold until the Mueller investigation is complete? Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader, 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2541? Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, 322 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6542? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553The National Archives is claiming that it will take until at least the end of October to supply all the documents that are being requested for review in the Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination, and Democrats on the Judiciary Committee are being forced to file Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to get what they need to properly vet Kavanaugh. Even Judiciary Committee Chair, Chuck Grassley, (R-IA) is admitting that the confirmation process may need to be pushed back, but we need to make sure he follows through appropriately and doesn’t rush confirmation hearings. (Write-up 8/10/2018) WEIGH IN on the importance of reviewing all documents with our own Senators and other key members of the Senate Judiciary and URGE them to do their job of taking the utmost possible care in checks and balances and assuring that our democracy isn’t eroded on the judicial level. ? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510-6050, (202) 224-5225ME TOOSenator Mazie Hirono, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has kept to her promise to ask all judicial nominees, under oath, if they have a history of sexual assault or harassment, directly addressing a topic that has too long remained unspoken. (Write-up 9/9/18)THANKS to the Senator for her leadership in this area? Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), 730 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-6361S.B.820 and A.B.3080 are currently awaiting the Governor’s signature. S.B.820 would bar confidentiality stipulations in settlements of sexual harassment suits that currently silence victims and protect serial offenders. A.B.3080 would make it illegal for an employer to take back a job offer or retaliate if an employee refuses to sign a mandatory arbitration agreement or non-disparagement clause. These are currently used to make to make sexual harassment claims difficult to pursue and to silence victims. (Write-up 9/9/18)POINT OUT the urgent need for this legislation and ask the Governor to sign off on it immediately? Governor Edmund G. Brown, c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916) 445-2841The “Closing the Law Enforcement Loophole Consent Act,” H.R.6568, would make it illegal for federal law enforcement officers to engage in sexual acts with individuals in their custody and would encourage states to enact similar legislation. There’s been an ugly history of sexual acts/assaults between law enforcement officers and those in their custody, with the officers claiming the activity was consensual and the individuals in custody saying the activity was forced. By barring this kind of sexual activity, H.R.6568 would close the “consent loophole,” protecting individuals in custody. This bipartisan legislation is currently before the House Judiciary Committee. (Write-up 8/30/18)URGE key Judiciary Committee members to take action on this essential legislation? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951Since its passage in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act has increased accountability for perpetrators. It has also received bipartisan support for three previous renewals. The current renewal, H.R.6545 is currently with several House committees and subcommittees: the House Committee on the Judiciary, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the House Financial Services Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Education and the Workforce Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaskan Native Affairs. H.R.6545 have 142 sponsors (including our own Jimmy Panetta)—none of them are Republicans. (Write-up 8/30/18)INSIST to Republican committee leadership that renewal of the Violence Against Women should be prioritized and that the lack of Republican support is shameful and unacceptable? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Greg Walden (R-OR), Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), Vice-Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Chair, House Financial Services Committee, 2129 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-7502? Representative Patrick T. McHenry (R-NC), Vice-Chair, House Financial Services Committee, 2129 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-7502? Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chair, House Ways and Means Committee, 1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625? Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Ranking Member, House Education and the Workforce Committee, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representation Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chair, House Natural Resources Committee, 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2761? Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Vice-Chair, House Natural Resources Committee, 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2761? Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Chair, Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Subcommittee, 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2761ASK Democratic committee leadership to consistently and vocally push for movement of the Violence Against Women Act through committee and onto the House floor? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Committee, 2125 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2927? Representative Maxine Water (D-CA), Ranking Member, House Financial Services Committee, 2129 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-7502? Representative Richard Neal (D-MA), Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Committee, 1102 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3625? Representative Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member, House Education and the Workforce Committee, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Ranking Member, House Natural Resources Committee, 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2761? Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Ranking Member, Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Subcommittee, 1324 Longworth House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2761THANKS to our Representative for cosponsoring this legislation? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Offic e Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861H.R.6464, the bipartisan Hold Accountable and Lend Transparency (HALT) Campus Sexual Violence Act is intended to strengthen prevention and enforcement efforts to combat campus sexual violence. The bill was introduced by Jackie Speier, who cites data showing that 20% of female college students and 6% of male college students are likely to experience sexual assault on campus. Too often, Speier say, victims of campus sexual assault are accused of “code of ethics” violations, like drinking at parties or going to other students’ dorm rooms, or are blamed for not fighting back. HALT would-Allow the Department of Education to fine colleges not in compliance with civil rights requirements under Title IX-Increase penalties for violations of the Cleary act, which requires colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to maintain and disclose campus crime statistics-Create a private right of action for students harmed by institutions that fail to meet campus safety requirements-Institute biennial campus climate surveys-Require public disclosure of colleges and universities under investigation for violations of Title IX and the Cleary Act-Provide an additional $5 million for Title IX and Cleary Act investigationsAnd more. HALT is supported by a number of organizations, including the National Women’s Law Center; End Rape on Campus; Girls, Inc.; and YWCA. H.R.6464 is currently with the House Education and the Workforce and Judiciary Committees. (Write-up 8/10/2018)ADVOCATE for strong, positive action on H.R.6464 from our own Representative and from key members of the two committees currently reviewing the proposed legislation? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861? Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-3951? Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Joe Wilson (R-NC), Vice-Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527? Representative Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Ranking Member, House Education and the Workforce Committee, 2176 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4527From Rogan’s List: “By the time Congress returns from recess, they will have just eleven days to reauthorize the Violence Against Women's Act (VAWA) before it expires. This important legislation has been around since the early nineties with bipartisan support and offers protections for victims of domestic violence and provides grants for law enforcement training and victims services. This year's proposal would also address the needs of Native American women both within and outside of reservations.” (Write-up 8/10/2018) CONTACT our Representatives and make sure that they pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, H.R.6545, ASAP? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861MILITARIZATIONSecretary of Defense James Mattis has reversed his position on Trump’s proposed “space force,” which he originally opposed. (Write-up 8/25/18)TELL the Secretary he was right the first time and that we do not need to create an entire new branch of the military to address problems that are the responsibility of existing military branches? James Mattis, Secretary of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301-1000, (703) 571-3343Mike Pence has laid out a plan for developing a “Space Force,” which would be a new, sixth branch of our military. According to the plan, the “Space Force” could be created as early as 2020. This proposal would be hugely expensive and faces significant opposition both within and outside of our existing military. Previously, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had spoken out against it, but he now appears to be back-pedaling, saying the Pentagon and the White House are “in complete alignment” on the need to view space as a war-fighting domain. The White House is reported to be ready to move ahead on “Space Force” creation without the involvement of Congress. At least two members of the House Armed Services Committee, one Republican, one Democrat (Mike Rogers and Jim Cooper), have gone on record saying that the “Space Force” would create a “safer, stronger America.” (Write-up 8/10/2018)REJECT this costly (8 billion for start-up), illogical attempt to turn space into a war zone and, most likely, to fatten the already immense Pentagon budget and NOTE, if you’re inclined, that the proposed responsibilities of the “Space Force” could be taken on by the Air Force if they prove truly necessary? Donald Trump, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111? Mike Pence, the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20500, (202) 456-1111? James N. Mattis, Secretary of Defense, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301-1000, (703) 571-3343? Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chair, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151? Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN), Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2216 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-4151PRESS FREEDOMS and RELATEDWhile Trump continues to disparage the press as “the enemy of the people,” the Senate is considering S.Res.501, “A Resolution Recognizing Threats to Freedom of the Press and Expression around the World and Reaffirming Freedom of the Press as a Priority in Efforts of the Government of the Unites States to Promote Democracy and Good Governance.” It affirms the value of the international—though does not address press issues at home. Nonetheless, this resolution, which does not have the power of law, does provide a counterpoint to administration name-calling. S.Res.501 has four sponsors: three Democratic and one Republican. It has been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and now heads to the Senate floor. (Write-up 8/10/2018)TELL our Senators we’re counting on them to support this resolution upholding press freedoms? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553The New York Times reports: “the Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs on Canadian newsprint is hastening the demise of local newspapers across the country, forcing already-struggling publications to cut staff, reduce the number of days they print and, in at least one case, shutter entirely…. A Charles River Associates study undertaken on behalf of a coalition of printers, publishers and paper suppliers projects that American newsprint prices will increase more than 30 percent in the next one to two years, and that newspapers and printers will face an increased cost of roughly half a billion dollars from the remaining five American mills producing newsprint. The study was filed with the United States International Trade Commission, an independent federal agency that governs trade and could ultimately overturn or change the Commerce Department’s decision in a ruling expected [in September].” (Write-up 8/10/2018)ASK our Congresspeople to protect freedom of the press and support small businesses by pushing for an end to this tarriff? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861RUSSIA, OBSTRUCTION, and MUELLERThe Global Engagement Center, a State Department unit created two years ago to fight Russian disinformation campaigns, still has not received the funding dedicated by Congress in 2016. The Huffington Post explains, “even if some money comes through for the Global Engagement Center before the end of the fiscal year, it will now be just one-sixth of the amount originally directed to the center…Foreign policy experts suggest that the funding delay is a combination of previous disinterest at the State Department and current foot-dragging at the Defense Department.” (Write-up 9/9/18) (h/t Rogan’s List)EXPLAIN to the Secretaries of State and Defense that we desperately need a functioning Global Engagement Center to protect out elections from disinformation campaigns that we know are happening? Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of State, 2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520-2204, (202) 647-6575? James N. Mattis, Secretary of Defense, 10009 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301-1000, (703) 571-3343REQUEST that our Congresspeople investigate this failure to launch an important, Congressionally enacted program of protection for our elect oral system? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224- 3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553? Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), 228 Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515, (202) 225-2861S.2644, the “Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act,” made it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee back in April, but has not yet been brought up for a vote of the full Senate. This act would limit the right to remove a special counsel to the Attorney General or most senior Senate-confirmed Department of Justice (DOJ) official, would require that a special counsel being removed receive written notice of the reasons for that removal, and would allow the special counsel to challenge that removal in federal court. This legislation has four sponsors/so-sponsors, two Republican, two Democrat. (Write-up 8/30/18)URGE the Senate Majority Leader to put S.2644 on the Senate calendar and AFFIRM that the Mueller investigation needs to be thorough and comprehensive? Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Leader, 317 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-2541ASK our Senators for vocal support of S.2644? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553From Rogan’s List: “After telling the president last year that he would not confirm a new Attorney General (AG), if Jeff Sessions were fired, Senate Judiciary Chair, Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has done a complete about face and now says he would hold confirmation hearings for a new AG. Firing Sessions would be a first step toward firing special prosecutor Robert Mueller.” (Write-up 8/30/18)EXPRESS your dismay at Senator Grassley’s turn-around and TELL him that legislation protecting the Mueller investigation absolutely has to be in place before any confirmation hearings for a new AG are held? Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3744TELL our Senators that any confirmations hearings for a new AG must be preceded by passage of protection for the Mueller investigation? Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 331 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3841? Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), 112 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington DC 20510, (202) 224-3553SCIENCEThe Guardian reports: “Prominent U.S. climate scientists have told the Guardian that the Trump administration is holding up research funding as their projects undergo an unprecedented political review by the high-school football teammate of the U.S. Interior Secretary. At the beginning of 2018, interior secretary Ryan Zinke instated a new requirement that scientific funding above $50,000 must undergo an additional review to ensure expenditures ‘better align with the administration’s priorities’… Zinke has signaled that climate change is not one of those priorities. Steve Howke, one of Zinke’s high-school football teammates, oversees this review…. Howke’s highest degree is a bachelor’s in business administration. Until Zinke appointed him as an interior department senior adviser to the acting assistant secretary of policy, management and budget, Howke had spent his entire career working in credit unions…. One of the largest programs affected is the Climate Adaptation Science Centers, a network of eight regionally focused research centers located at ‘host’ universities across the country.” (Write-up 8/30/18)EXPLAIN to the Interior Secretary that evaluations of scientific proposals should be done by actual scientists, not football buddies? Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Interior, 1849 C St. NW, Washington DC 20240, (202) 208-3100 ................
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