About · Volunteer Opportunities · Newsletters · Events · Highlight
PEG 6th Congressional District Newsletter 342B
Veterans Day Issue PLUS
“The idea that some of these officers are supposedly ‘woke’ or desk jockeys is ridiculous,” –
Senator Dan Sullivan said.
Tommy Tuberville’s Republican Colleagues Decry his Military Holds on the Senate Floor
Abridged article by Morgan Rimmer, CNN, updated November 1, 2023
Republican 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!
Planet on Fire: Michelle Regalado Deatrick, Washtenaw County’s Climate Activist – PEG Exclusive
Southeastern Michigan’s Michelle Regalado Deatrick is a climate activist who is fighting the climate crisis both locally and nationally. Born to a Latina mom and telephone lineman, she’s founder and chair of the DNC Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis. Committed to a Democratic party that runs a panoply of diverse “climate candidates” committed to “climate and environmental justice,” she believes climate activism has been shown to be vital to the protection of our planet and a winning platform.
Although prominent on the national level, as a farm owner in southeastern Michigan, Deatrick remains committed to the needs of her home community. As a recent County Commissioner and as an organizer, Deatrick ’s fights hard against expansion of fossil fuel pipelines projects including the Enbridge Line 5 which endangers Michiganders as well as destroys farmland and neighborhoods.
Events and Opportunities
Tuesday, November 14. A Crucial Discussion on Global Climate Agenda
The Democrats Abroad Environment & Climate Crisis Council is organizing an event featuring Senator Ed Markey and Michelle Deatrick to discuss U.S. climate policy ahead of COP28. The event will focus on progress under the Biden administration, emphasizing commitments to the Paris Climate Accords and addressing the Loss and Damage framework from COP27. Senator Markey, a longtime advocate for climate and energy policies, and Michelle Deatrick, Chair of the DNC’s Climate Crisis Council, will share insights. Democrats Abroad, recognizing the U.S.’s significant carbon emissions, stresses the urgency for ambitious climate action. The Biden-Harris administration’s achievements, such as rejoining the Paris Agreement and passing key legislation, are highlighted as positive steps. The event aims to inform and inspire Democrats Abroad’s global membership, underlining the importance of sustaining momentum in climate efforts to mitigate risks and protect vulnerable communities. RSVP to get the link here. Noon–6 pm EST
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 Michigan Democratic Party 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, 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
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
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 County
Sometime 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.
PEG Remembers (some of) Our Loved Ones Who Served
Hindu New Year begins Tuesday, November 14
Diwali (Nov 12) is the festival of lights symbolizing good over evil, light over darkness, and is also the last day of the Hindu calendar year.
