Friday, March 31, 2017

ACTION: Call to Appoint Special Counsel

From Indivisible Oregon

**CALL TO ACTION**
Friday, March 31, 2017

BOENTE MUST APPOINT SPECIAL COUNSEL NOW!
________________________________________________________
#RussiaGate
On March 20, James Comey confirmed what we had long suspected: that the FBI has been investigating Donald Trump's Russia connections since July 2016. Unfortunately, many MOCs continue to focus on “leaks” and Trump’s crazy wiretapping claims rather than the real issue of Team Trump’s collusion with the Russians to steal an election. 
--House Intelligence chair Devin Nunes has lost any real credibility to lead an inquiry, but has refused to recuse himself.
--The months-old Senate Intelligence Committee Investigation is FINALLY calling witnesses, but is still a GOP-controlled committee in a GOP-controlled Senate investigating a GOP President.
This issue is too important to leave in the hands of a partisan Congress that refuses to stand up to Trump, and a partisan FBI that deliberately defamed Hilary Clinton in the last days of the election. Daniel Boente, the Deputy Attorney General, has the power to appoint a Special Counsel to launch an UNBIASED investigation. Such an investigation would also have the power to pursue evidence of any other wrongdoing, such as violations of the Emoluments Clause.
The following MoCs have called for Special Counsel in recent weeks; now it’s time to reiterate, clarify, and intensify the demand:
Senator Wyden http://bit.ly/2oflPjg
Senator Merkley http://bit.ly/2oEXf8f
Rep Blumenauer http://bit.ly/2oFd52p
____________________________________________________________
**CALL YOUR SENATORS AND HOUSE REPS** 
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [---], a constituent from [city], Oregon (zipcode). The issue of Team Trump’s possible collusion with Russia to hijack the presidential election is too important to be left exclusively to a GOP-controlled Congress. I’m asking (Senator---/Rep---) to intensify pressure on Deputy Attorney General Daniel Boente to appoint a nonpartisan Special Counsel to conduct a broad and unbiased investigation. I would like (Senator---/Rep---) to make a public statement on this topic THIS WEEK.”
____________________________________________________________
**PHONE NUMBERS**
SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386
DC: 202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102
Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102
Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525
DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555
Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122
Bend: (541) 330-9142
CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855
OR: (503) 469-6010
CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730
Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408
LaGrande (541) 624-2400
CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811
OR: (503) 231-2300
CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416
Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523
Coos Bay (541) 269-2609
CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711
Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324
** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!** 

Thursday, March 30, 2017

ACTION: CALL TO STOP ASSAULT ON HUMAN RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS

From Indivisible Oregon:

**CALL TO ACTION** 
Thursday, March 30, 2017
——————————————————————————————
TRUMP, SESSIONS, AND THE GOP DECLARE WAR ON LOCAL SANCTUARIES!
——————————————————————————————
Trump, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and their congressional allies are intensifying their relentless assault on the civil rights of our hardworking immigrant families AND the rights of local governments which--as NY AG Eric Schneider points out--have “broad authority under the Constitution to not participate in federal immigration enforcement.”
--Last week Homeland Security started posting “lists of shame” with the names of local law enforcement agencies who refuse to keep immigrants in jail so ICE can pick them up: http://nyti.ms/2nKFMie
--This Monday, Sessions pledged to strictly enforce rules that would revoke federal law enforcement funding for sanctuary states and cities.
--A bill has been introduced in the US House that would prevent such cities from receiving ANY federal financial assistance at all: http://bit.ly/2lONcMJ
--Let’s make our voices heard this week on this crucial human rights issue
——————————————————————————————
**ACTION 1** CALL YOUR US SENATOR:
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am proud to be part of a state with a strong sanctuary movement. I am appalled by Trump and Sessions’ assault on the human rights of our hardworking immigrant families and the Constitutional rights of our local governments to NOT become agents of ICE. I know that ultimately the courts may decide this issue, but I would like the Senator to speak out forcefully NOW. I would like to see a strong public statement or CNN appearance dedicated to this issue.
**ACTION 2** CALL YOUR US REPRESENTATIVE:
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am proud to be part of a state with a strong sanctuary movement. I am appalled by Trump and Sessions’ assault on the human rights of our hardworking immigrant families and the Constitutional rights of our local governments to NOT become agents of ICE. Can I count on Representative (--) to vote NO on HR 83, the ‘House Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act’ ?”
——————————————————————————————
**PHONE NUMBERS**
SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386
DC: 202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102
Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102
Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525
DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555
Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122
Bend: (541) 330-9142
CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855
OR: (503) 469-6010
CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730
Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408
LaGrande (541) 624-2400
CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811
OR: (503) 231-2300
CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416
Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523
Coos Bay (541) 269-2609
CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711
Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324
** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!** 

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

ACTION: Call to Vote No on Anti-Climate Science "Honest" Act

From Indivisible Oregon

**CALL TO ACTION**
Wednesday, March 29
——————————————————————————————
VOTE “NO” ON ANTI-CLIMATE-SCIENCE “HONEST” ACT
——————————————————————————————
Here is what is happening. The GOP has figured out that our grassroots phone call campaigns work. That is why they are working at lightning speed to move onerous bills out of committee to full votes. They think we can’t possibly keep up with their pace. Let’s prove them wrong! Today, there is yet another crucial floor vote—on the deceptively-named HR 1430 “Honest Act” http://bit.ly/2nfpE3l.

--HR 1430 prohibits the EPA from using science that is “not transparent or reproducible.” This is a back door assault on climate science, since collecting data on global patterns and events is not “reproducible” in the lab, and the reams of raw data are often not in published form http://bit.ly/2mOazdH .

--A similar bill entitled “The Science Advisory Board Reform Act” or HR 1431, may also be voted on this week http://bit.ly/2nhbWxM

--Acting in concert, Trump signed an executive order yesterday directly the EPA to rescind the 2013 Climate Action Plan http://theatln.tc/2nJ1h1Q.  Rep Bonamici’s response: http://bit.ly/2nz0CzK
——————————————————————————————
ACTION:  CALL YOUR US REPRESENTATIVE:
Find your Rep: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am outraged by current House efforts to sabotage the EPA’s mission to protect Americans from the desire of the fossil fuel industry to maximize profit, even if it means destroying our planet for future generations. I am calling on Representative (--) to vote NO on the anti-climate science bills HR 1430 and HR 1431. If (she/he) votes yes, I will interpret that as a sign that (he/she) is willing to throw away the future of our children and grandchildren to line the pockets of fossil fuel CEO’s. Please make sure these bills end in the House!

JUST AS IMPORTANT: CALL, TEXT, AND EMAIL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN RED DISTRICTS TO DO THE SAME. “SHARE” OR COPY / PASTE THIS ACTION!

——————————————————————————————

**PHONE NUMBERS**

CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855
OR: (503) 469-6010

CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730
Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408
LaGrande (541) 624-2400

CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300

CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416
Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523
Coos Bay (541) 269-2609

CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711
Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324

** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**

http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press-release/honest-sab-bills-undermine-science#.WNsW528rLcu

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Bonamici Bulletin


March 28, 2017

My office has been flooded with callsletters, and emails from thousands of engaged constituents. It gives me hope seeing Oregonians raise our voices and resist dangerous Trump Administration policies—and it makes a difference! Trump's first nominee for Labor Secretary withdrew from consideration, former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn resigned within a month, andEducation Secretary DeVos barely gained enough votes for confirmation; Vice President Pence was forced to cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate. And Friday, after a chaotic week in Washington, House Leadership and President Trump had to cancel the vote on Trumpcare. I'm convinced this wouldn't have happened without you speaking up and making your voices heard.
Here are some of the ways I'm standing up for Oregon values in Washington DC:
Focusing on Improving Access to Health Care 
Access to health care is a right, not a privilege for only the wealthy. The TrumpCare bill would have been devastating. If it had passed, Oregonians and Americans would have paid more and received less. Millions would have faced a futurewithout health insurance, or with inadequate coverage. It would have been especially bad for seniors, who would see their rates increase significantly. This bill was a disaster both in policy and procedure (it had no hearings and was brought forward for a vote less than three weeks after it was introduced), and I'm glad it was pulled from consideration. As our economy continues to recover, working families need the stability of knowing they won't face economic ruin if someone in their family gets sick. I planned to vote against TrumpCare, but I stand ready to work with all of my colleagues on policies that improve access to affordable health care for all.
Sustainable Timber in the 21st Century Economy 
Rural communities, schools, and residents in the Northwest depend on a sustainable timber harvest. Oregon is showing leadership as innovation in the industry harnesses the potential of timber. I'm proud to support the Timber Innovation Act to encourage new and innovative uses for wood as a building material. With the potential of new timber technologies, rural communities will have the opportunity to generate more jobs and value from their natural resources. And Oregonians will benefit from more sustainable construction materials that create attractive buildings. I will continue to look for ways to support this exciting new way to grow rural economies.
Protecting Communities from Intimidation 
We all want our country to be safe, but tearing apart hard-working immigrant families betrays our values as Americans. For years, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been directed to avoid immigration enforcement action at "sensitive locations," including schools, hospitals, and places of worship. This policy made our communities safer and healthier. I'm deeply concerned about reports of ICE agents roaming local courthouses and staking out places like domestic violence shelters, churches, and community clinics. These actions by ICE have created fear and intimidation in Oregon and around the country. Soon I'll be introducing legislation to make sure that immigrants and vulnerable communities can access services at courthouses and shelters, go to their places of worship and schools, and report crimes without fear of deportation or intimidation.
Putting Higher Education Within Reach 
I worked my way through community college, university, and law school, and graduated with a manageable amount of debt. My experience is less common today because the costs of higher education have skyrocketed and put an affordable education out of reach for too many students. We need to strengthen Pell Grants and financial aid programs like Federal Work Study, which offers students valuable work experience while still in school. I recently reintroduced bipartisan legislation to improve financial counseling to help student loan borrowers anticipate the complete costs of college and make informed decisions about their borrowing. Unfortunately, Secretary DeVos is shirking her responsibility to protect student loan borrowers, and the Education Department now permits exorbitant fees to be charged to struggling borrowers who are working to repay their defaulted loans. As a leader on theHouse Education and the Workforce Committee, I'm doing everything I can to make higher education more affordable and accessible, and to fight the administration's misguided attempts to target vulnerable students and student loan borrowers.
Hearing from You 
It's been incredible to see so many community members join my town hall meetings inMcMinnville and Hillsboro. Many of you have called, written, or stood up in my town hall meetings to voice your concerns about many issues, including the Administration's connections to Russia and Russian involvement in the November election. I've called for acomprehensive, transparent, and independent investigation into the Trump Administration's ties to Russia and Russian involvement in the election, and I will continue demanding an investigation until we get all of the facts. Since the introduction of President Trump's budget, I've also heard from many of you about protecting the promise of public education and investing in domestic priorities like transportation and infrastructure instead of needlessly boosting defense spending. Here's a link to the additional town hall meetings I'll be holding over the next several weeks. I hope to see you there!
You can find more updates about my work around the district and in Washington, DC on Facebook,TwitterInstagram, and YouTube. You can also contact my Oregon and Washington, DC offices with questions, comments, or for assistance with a federal agency. This mailbox is not monitored. To contact me via email, please use this secure web form.
OFFICE LOCATIONS:
           

ACTION: CALL TO DELAY GORSUCH NOMINATION

From Indivisible Oregon...

**CALL TO ACTION**
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
———————————————
CALL SENATORS TO DELAY GORSUCH NOMINATION
————————————————
#NOGorsuch
Last week, FBI Director James Comey confirmed that the agency is investigating whether members of Donald Trump’s campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election. These are serious allegations, which call into question Donald Trump’s legitimacy as President – including his right to nominate a Supreme Court Justice who will influence the court for decades.
Yesterday, the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee delayed the committee vote on Gorsuch until next week. Our Senators have already vowed to filibuster Gorsuch’s confirmation. Both of these actions are a good start, and undoubtedly happening thanks to public pressure from constituents like YOU. But it’s not enough.
Senators Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren have called for the vote to be delayed until the FBI investigation is complete. Our senators must do the same. 
They must demand a halt to the nomination process of Neil Gorsuch until a full and thorough investigation of White House ties to Russia is complete
————————————————
CALL OUR SENATORS
SAMPLE SCRIPT
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am calling to thank the Senator for committing to filibuster Judge Gorsuch’s Supreme Court nomination. However, filibuster is not enough. As long as the FBI is investigating the Trump campaign's ties to Russia, he should not have the right to nominate a Supreme Court Justice, which will shape our country for decades. I'm asking the Senator to stand with Senator Schumer in calling for a DELAY on Judge Gorsuch’s vote until the investigation is complete.”
AS USUAL, CALL OR EMAIL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN OTHER STATES TO DO THE SAME!
————————————————
SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525
DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555
Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122
Bend: (541) 330-9142
SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386
DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102
Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102

Monday, March 27, 2017

INCO March 27 Newsletter

SPRING INTO ACTION

Success!
You can resist every day. The calls and postcards flooding DC have a real impact on votes and decisions made by Members of Congress (MoC). You and thousands of others spoke up and helped defeat Trumpcare last Friday - across the river, our WA Peninsula group deserves a special shout-out for helping convince their Republican MoC to stand against Trump on this issue!

This is your win, and you did it by standing Indivisible.

Words Matter
Letters to the Editor (LTEs) are widely read and influential. Share your story, opinions, and information in an LTE. A paragraph or even a page - - your voice matters.
editor@dailyastorian.com or www.dailyastorian.com - click on ‘opinion’
news@thecolumbiapress.com - Warrenton’s weekly newspaper
Be sure to include  your name and contact information. Send us a copy - you might find an excerpt published in our newsletter!

Your MoCs | Call, Fax, Email, Facebook, Tweet 

 
  • If Congress allows Trump to slash funding or defund important agencies and programs, we will feel it here on the north coast. Major cuts are proposed for theUS Coast Guard - think of our Coasties and the heroic work they do - theCorporation for Public Broadcasting - think KMUN, KCPB, and KTCB - and the EPA - toxins in the Columbia River, coal dust and methanol in our air, oil slicks killing fish. Rough estimates show Oregon could lose tens of millions of dollars each year in grants for environmental cleanups, legal aid to the poor and funding for local counterterrorism programs, according to a document from U.S. House Democrats. Funding for the arts would be gutted and research at Oregon's public universities would be hampered. Read this Oregonian analysis.If this isn’t OK with you, then tell your MoCs!
  • Senators Merkley and Wyden are keeping quiet about the Jordan Cove LNG pipeline and terminal proposed for southern Oregon. They talk a lot about using renewables and making Oregon a green state, but they’re remarkably silent about this massive fossil fuel export proposal. Meanwhile, area residents, property owners, and environmentalists continue to fight this project and its pollution of air and water, destruction of forest land and waterways, threats to climate change, abuse of private property rights, support for fracked gas, etc. Tell Senators Merkley and Wyden to take a stand for a sustainable future for Oregon and against LNG in Oregon.
 
  • Fed up with the secrecy about Trump’s tax returns? Rep. Bill Pascrell’s Resolution of Inquiry (H.Res. 186), directing the Treasury Secretary to provide the House of Representatives with Trump’s tax returns from 2006 through 2015, will have a markup in the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesdayafternoon. Only 62 Members have cosponsored this resolution so far. Tell your MoC to cosponsor H.Res. 186. Click the  button for a suggested script from Indivisible.
Demand Trump's Tax Returns!

INCO CALENDAR


Monday, March 27
Clatsop County Democrats Volunteer Fair: Work Local for Democracy!

5:45 pm- social, 6:15pm - meeting starts
Clatsop Community College, Columbia Hall, Room 219, Astoria; accessible parking and entry from the parking lot in back. Candidate campaigns for the May 16 Special District elections (Port of Astoria, the college, etc.) To help campaign for progressive candidates,contact Cheryl Johnson by email or at 503-458-6910.

Thursday, March 30
Astoria/East County Strategy meeting

6:30 pm, Street 14 Cafe, 14th & Commercial, Astoria
Space is limited. Advance signup for the strategy session is required; please indicate on the form whether or not you will attend. Next general meeting is April 8.

Friday, March 31
“Where’s Jaime?” Rally

3-5 pm, Seaview, WA Post Office
To invite US Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler to a town hall on the peninsula

Saturday, April 1
Fire the Fool

5 PM · Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse , Portland
Hosted by Indivisible Oregon D-3

WednesdayApril 5
Gearhart-Seaside CG General Meeting

6:15 - 7:45 pm, Seaside Public Library
Planning for April 29 Climate Change events and activities is among the agenda items

Saturday, April 8
Astoria/East County CG General Meeting

2-3:30, Grace Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 1545 Exchange, Astoria

Saturday, April 15
Town Hall with U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamci

11 a.m., Warrenton High School gymnasium, 1700 S. Main St., Warrenton
Voter registration drive inside the school, hosted by the Warrenton CG

Saturday, April 22
Cannon Beach CG booth at Twelve Days of Earth Day in Cannon Beach

Tuesday, April 25
Last day to register to vote in Clatsop County’s May 16 election. Register online here.

Saturday, April 29
Save Our Beaches/Vote the Future Burma Shave-style campaign and postcards, hosted by Seaside/Gearhart CG

Wednesday, May 3
AAUW Candidates Forum
7 pm, Clatsop Community College, Columbia Hall 219, Astoria
Q&A from the audience for key Special District election on May 16
Accessible parking in back of Columbia Hall, enter from Lexington Avenue
Some of our INCO leaders: From left, Gwen Brake, WA peninsula CG, Carmen Hammersmith, Warrenton CG; Deb Vanasse, INCO;  Tiffiny Mitchell, Astoria CG; Sigrid Wood, Astoria CG; Laurie Caplan, INCO; Jim Osburn, Cannon Beach CG.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

With support voiced by the Cannon Beach CG, will CB pass an Inclusive City resolution on April 11? How many Save Our Beaches postcards will our Gearhart-Seaside group distribute on April 29, encouraging citizen involvement to fight climate change? Which INCO outcomes will the Astoria CG pursue this year? How many new voters will the Warrenton CG register at the April 15 Bonamici Town Hall in Warrenton? Can the WA Peninsula CG convince US Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler to show up on the coast for a town hall?
All of these activities and more are happening up and down the coast, thanks to the involvement of INCO members like you. Check the INCO Calendar and join in the action!
 
DEFEND DEMOCRACY | NEW INCO RESOURCES
 
INFORMED AND EMPOWERED: The INCO guide to our emails, blog, and Facebook group
 
INCO PROJECT PLANNER: The nuts & bolts of turning ideas into action!
 
2017 INCO OUTCOMES: Specifics about what we hope to accomplish this year...with your help, of course!

For lots more Action Resources, check out the Indivisible North Coast Oregon blog!

 

LEVITY!
It’s important to de-stress, especially on heavy-duty bad news days. For some much-needed levity, check out these Jokes about Trump. Then submit your own joke, jingle, limerick, or cartoon - you might see it published here!  

WEEKLY UPDATE FROM THE INDIVISIBLE NATIONAL TEAM

We don’t usually start our weekly updates by quoting Paul Ryan, but this time he said it best: “Obamacare is the law of the land.”
On Friday, you achieved something no one imagined was possible: you stopped Trump and Paul Ryan from taking health care away from millions of Americans. They thought it would be easy—but then you showed up.
An insider’s account of how you defeated Trump’s top legislative priority. As former congressional staff, we can tell you exactly how this went down. Trump and Ryan were in a bind. With no Democratic support, they needed to pass a bill that would satisfy both the extreme right and the purple-state Republicans. Your constituent power, asserted week after week over the last few months, ultimately made this political calculus impossible.
Your relentless constituent pressure ensured that TrumpCare was deeply unpopular before it was even introduced. That unpopularity made it easy for the far-right Republicans to oppose the bill. Ryan and Trump needed those far-right votes, so they tried to offer more extreme concessions to win them over. Those extreme concessions spooked the purple-state Republicans, who started to bolt. Why? Because of intense pressure from their constituents (i.e. YOU). Suddenly, the bill was losing votes from both the far-right and the purple-state Republicans. In a matter of days, the congressional coalition behind Trump’s top legislative priority simply collapsed. TrumpCare was toast.
TrumpCare was terrible, but terrible legislation passes all the time. The difference this time was that you were organized and determined. You mounted a sustained, nationwide resistance that broke the will of the Republican caucus and derailed Trump’s agenda. Politics is the art of the possible, and you changed what was possible. You stood indivisible and it worked—and people will literally live longer, healthier lives as a result.

So What’s Next?

The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) survival is a big blow to Trump, but, unfortunately, he isn’t done yet—he’s still got a long list of atrocious policy priorities that he’s trying to get through Congress next. So we’ve still got work to do. Here’s what’s coming up next:
  • Keep your Members of Congress (MoCs) accountable on health care. Got some time today? Just because there was no vote doesn’t mean your MoC doesn’t need constituent feedback. Visit your MoC’s local office and let them know how you feel about their stance (or lack thereof) on TrumpCare. And let them know that you’re going to keep watching out for any new attacks on the ACA down the road. While Trump and Ryan have retreated “for the foreseeable future” (to quote Ryan again), this fight may not be over—stay tuned for more resources you can use to keep defending the ACA over the next congressional recess and beyond.
  • Protect the Supreme Court for decades to come: no cloture on #SupremelyExtreme Gorsuch. Last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on Neil Gorsuch were more of the same for the Trump administration: an extreme nominee attempting to defend his record of standing with corporate power instead of the American people. To ensure Gorsuch doesn’t roll back civil rights, women’s rights, labor rights, and many other rights for years to come, we need the Senate to show some serious spine.
    • The important vote for Gorsuch is the “cloture” vote. Voting for “cloture” means voting to cut off debate and end a filibuster. This vote requires 60 votes to succeed, which means Senate Republicans CAN’T win this on their own—they don’t have enough votes. Ask your Senator (regardless of party) to vote “NO on cloture” for Gorsuch—check out our newly updated script on this here.
  • Keep the pressure on Congress to force the release of Trump’s tax returns. On Tuesday at 4 p.m., the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a markup on H.Res. 186, a Resolution of Inquiry directing the Secretary of the Treasury to provide the House of Representatives with Trump’s tax returns. Tell your MoC to cosponsor this resolution: here’s the script.
  • Shed some sunlight on Trump’s Russia ties. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) thinks he can get away with moving hearings behind closed doors. It’s clear that he can’t be trusted to lead an unbiased investigation. Tell your MoCs that it’s time to take Nunes off the case and put the investigation in the hands of a nonpartisan, independent commission, in full view of the American people.
    • Tell your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 356, the Protecting our Democracy Act, which would create a special commission to investigate Russian interference into our elections.
    • Tell your Senator to cosponsor S. 27, which would similarly create an independent commission to investigate Russian interference in our democratic institutions.  
  • Protect Americans’ privacy from corporate greed. Last week, while many of us were focused on defending health care, Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans passed S.J. Res. 34 on a narrow, party-line vote. This bill would block the Federal Communications Commission from regulating large internet service providers (think Comcast) in their efforts to sell the troves of information they gather about you without your consent. The House is poised to vote on this measure, H.J. Res. 86, this week. Call your MoC and tell them to protect your privacy and side with ordinary people over powerful corporate interests. Here’s the script.

Resist the Trump agenda—and sound smart at barbecues

Our latest explainer on the legislative process covers appropriations: the process by which Congress decides how the government spends money. If you’ve been wondering about Trump’s appalling budget proposal and whether he can really get away with cutting things like PBS, here’s a great place to start: Legislative Process 101—Appropriations (or “Keeping the Lights On”).

Get ready for recess

You did amazing work over February’s congressional recess, and we can’t wait to see what you’re going to do next! You’ll get a chance to show off your skills and creativity again from April 8–23. Now is the time to start asking your MoCs when they’re planning to hold town halls during the upcoming recess. If they refuse to tell you, check out our Missing Members of Congress Action Plan, which shows you how to take control of the situation. And we’re busy putting together exciting new recess resources that will be ready for you next week!
Last week's victory was so important—and not only because you saved the ACA, but also because you proved without a doubt that standing indivisible works. Last week we stood indivisible, and we won. And we’re just getting started.
In solidarity,
The Indivisible Team
P.S. We want to amplify your group’s voice! Keep sharing your pictures, videos, and stories with us at stories@indivisibleguide.com.

@bkindivisible is standing indivisible against Trump’s budget!