Border deal in motion, no rush to war, smart donating, and more!
FEB 5
Contact all members of Congress:
- By phone: (202) 224-3121
- By email: democracy.io
- By US mail: Representatives / Senators
- By fax: Representatives / Senators
- By Resistbot: Resist.bot
Contact White House or other federal agencies:
- BORDER DEAL RELEASED
Senators released a bipartisan bill that joins aid for our allies with stricter border and immigration policies late yesterday. While we are still learning more about the final agreement, multiple immigrant advocacy groups have condemned it for failing to address the root causes of migration or the future for Dreamers and our other undocumented friends and neighbors, for gutting the asylum system and short-circuiting parole. It was also immediately rejected by the hardline right and by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Nevertheless, Majority Leader Schumer has indicated the Senate will hold a procedural vote to advance the package Wednesday. Given the importance of immigration reform, our elected officials should be focused on getting this done right, rather than fast. Let’s take some time over the next few days to familiarize ourselves with the details and listen to the opinions of the members of the immigrant community who it will affect most. And let’s urge our members of Congress to slow down and do the same, instead of rushing to action on a bill with little immediate prospect of passage, and to instead push for stand-alone votes on critical measures included in the agreement (such as aid for Ukraine and the Afghan Adjustment Act) as soon as possible. - TELL THE WHITE HOUSE TO IGNORE THE WARMONGERS
The U.S. launched strikes over the weekend at both the Houthis in response to attacks on international shipping lanes and US warships and at Iran-backed militants and military targets in Iraq and Syria in response to a drone attack that killed US troops, and national security adviser Jake Sullivan has indicated there is more to come. This is already a step beyond previous U.S. military action post-October 7th, but is unlikely to satisfy those on the right who are urging President Biden to attack Iran directly. Let’s make our voices heard right alongside those who want more violence. Let’s reach out to the White House and tell them to ignore the chickenhawks and do everything possible to avoid escalating towards war.
- INVESTIGATE TRUMP BUSINESS DEALINGS WITH FOREIGN ENTITIES DURING HIS PRESIDENCY
Nearly a month ago, Rep. Jamie Raskin, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, reported that foreign entities had contributed $7.8 million to Trump’s business during the time he was president. This is a likely violation of the emoluments clause of the Constitution. The report spurred many unanswered questions, but there has been no further Congressional action. It’s highly unlikely that GOP Rep. James Comer, Chair of the House Oversight Committee, will do anything, but Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), the Chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is in a position to complete the investigation and push Trump to give back more than the $151,000 he returned to the Treasury in 2018. Let’s contact Senator Peters (202-224-6221) and ask him to start a full investigation.
- SMART POLITICAL DONATING – EVENT TOMORROWSwing Left, an organization whose goal is empowering volunteers and donors across the country to help elect Democrats, has chosen a 12-state strategy for the 2024 election. On Tuesday, February 6, from 6:30 – 7:30pm PST, Swing Left is virtually featuring Jessica Craven, of Chop Wood Carry Water, speaking about strategic donations, how to get the biggest bang for our buck in the most important election year of our lives and common mistakes left-leaning donors make. Let’s sign up here.
- HOW TO RESPOND TO TROLLS We’ve all seen trolls and probably have been harassed by them. Responding is always an option, but let’s do it right. Messaging expert George Lakoff shares good, practical advice with us on this topic and many others in his FrameLab blog. Let’s check out this one on responding to trolls and let’s try out his method.
STATE-SPECIFIC ACTIONS
- AR/ALL – GET ABORTION RIGHTS ON THE BALLOTWe have an opportunity to roll back Arkansas’ near-total ban on abortion. The state attorney general, after blocking a previous version, has certified an initiative that would protect abortion rights within the first 18 weeks of pregnancy. Now advocates have a little over five months to gather 90,704 signatures, including minimum amounts from 50 counties, to get this proposal on the ballot. Let’s get to work! If we’re in Arkansas, we can sign up to volunteer gathering signatures here. And wherever we are, we can donate to support this effort here.
AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS
- LAST WEEK’S WINSIt may not always feel like it, but our work is making a difference every day. Our friend Jessica Craven at Chop Wood, Carry Water outlines a few ways how in her run-down of last week’s victories, including the Biden administration rolling back Trump’s efforts to legalize discrimination in health care, a new FEMA program to install solar panels on public buildings rebuilt after disasters, and the grassroots defeating a transphobic bill in Iowa.