PEG 6th Congressional District Newsletter 342
Veterans Day Issue
“The idea that some of these officers are supposedly ‘woke’ or desk jockeys is ridiculous,” –
Senator Dan Sullivan said.
New! Michigan Cancer Drug Donation Program
Abridged article by Morgan Rimmer, CNN, updated November 1, 2023Republican Senators Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Todd Young of Indiana, and Mitt Romney of Utah met Wednesday night, November 1, in conference in an attempt to pass 115 top military nominees delayed by fellow Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s hold on military promotions over Pentagon abortion policy.
Tuberville has been holding up military promotions since February because of a Department of Defense policy that reimburses travel costs for military members requiring reproductive care outside of the state in which they are stationed. Sullivan pushed back on Tuberville’s argument that the top nominees are not as essential for readiness, and that some of them are leftist. Senators also argued that these military nominees have no control over the Pentagon’s policy on reproductive care. Senator Joni Ernst, a former member of the military herself, noted that she is part of a military family, and she is “proudly, adamantly, and unabashedly pro-life.” However, she also called on Tuberville to lift his holds.
Some senators argued that long-term, blanket holds set a poor precedent in the Senate that would lead to increased gridlock and politicization of the military. “Everybody in this body could find an issue with any administration they don’t agree with, and what we’re going to do is Pandora’s box,” Graham said. Romney commented that, “it’s simply, in my opinion, an abuse of the powers we have as senators to say if there’s something we vehemently disagree with, that we’re going to use that power to hold up the promotion of over 350 men and women in our military.”
Stay tuned!
Tuesday, November 14. Let’s Talk to Reps Rheingans and Conlin
A2D2 (Ann Arbor inDivisible for Democracy) is hosting an event to meet with Michigan House Representatives Jennifer Conlin and Carrie Rheingans, both newly elected in 2022. Join them for an evening of informative conversation and kickoff planning for the 2024 election. Get more info and RSVP here or contact Hilary Robinson, 734-657-0419 or hilrob@umich.edu. 5–6 pm
Wednesday, November 15. Coffee Hour with Reps Rheingans and Conlin
State Representative Carrie Rheingans (District 47) and special guest State Representative Jennifer Conlin (District 48) will host a constituent coffee hour at the Dexter District Library at 3255 Alpine Street, Dexter, MI 49203. 10–11 am
Wednesday, November 15. MDP Veterans Caucus Meetup with Rep. Conlin
Celebrate Veterans Day with the Washtenaw County chapter of the MDP Veteran’s Caucus. Rep. Jennifer Conlin, the Chair of the Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security Committee, will be the guest speaker. She will be sharing what is happening in Lansing for Michigan veterans. Rob Kull, a Navy veteran currently serving in the Michigan National Guard, former Director of the Monroe County Veteran Affairs, and a candidate for state representative, will also be present to answer questions about public service during and after military service. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact MDP Veteran’s Caucus vice-chair Bryant Lepic at lepic.bryant@gmail.com or 740-526-1559. The event will be held at Thompson & Co. in Ypsi’s Depot Town at 400 N. River Street. Plenty of parking spaces are available, with great food and drinks. 7 pm
Wednesday, November 15. Zoom in: New House Targets!
Join Swing Left Executive Director Yasmin Radjy and a team of political experts as they unveil an additional 10 flippable red-to-blue target districts that will be critical for Democrats to win on the path to regain the House majority next year.. RSVP here. 8–9 pm
America at a Crossroads Virtual Series
- Wednesday, November 15. “How to Know a Person: A Heartfelt Examination of Human Connections.” Moderate conservative political and cultural commentator David Brooks, with Madeleine Brand. (Register here) 8 pm ET
- Wednesday, November 29. “Collision of Power: Trump, Bezos, and The Washington Post.” Martin Baron recounts the struggle over power, money, media, and tech, with Patt Morrison. (Register here) 8 pm ET
FYI: Nextgen America is done getting out the vote for the year—no more texting or calling. The election yesterday was FABULOUS.
Visit the PEG Events Page for all upcoming events at www.equalityingov.org/events!
More things to do, read, watch, and listen to
Help see that we have the resources needed to reach carbon neutrality in Washtenaw CountySometime in the next couple weeks, the Washtenaw County budget will be approved by the Washtenaw County Commissioners. In order to implement the Resilient Washtenaw plan adopted last year, the budget needs three (3) sustainability positions instead of the one (1) in the proposed budget.
A County Commissioner needs to submit a Budget Amendment to fund at least two (2) sustainability positions for a vote. Yousef Rabhi, Annie Somerville, and Katie Scott, are on the Environmental Council and could be the most likely to sponsor such a budget amendment. . Your email to them can make a difference. For more information, contact Larry Schmitt.
