Power (to the People) Lunch SHEET 1

Transcription

1 Power (to the People) Lunch SHEET 1 Call List for April 18, 2017 (Suggestions Prepared by Elizabeth Conner) Keep US Commitments to the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement Summary: Though not all that many desired, the 2016 ratification of the Paris Agreement was an unprecedented global response to climate change. The Agreement's 143 signatories, including the United States, formally committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to slow the pace of climate change, and it was an enormous step forward for our planet. Though the need to address climate change is as urgent as ever, EPA head, Scott Pruitt and others in Trump's administration are now advocating for the United States to renege on our promises and either withdraw from the Agreement entirely or reduce our emissions targets. When the US ratified the Agreement last October, President Obama said, "If we follow through on the commitments this agreement embodies, history will judge it as a turning point for our planet." Withdrawing from the Agreement would be another turning point one where our country returned to putting the profits of the fossil fuel companies over the health of the entire planet and all the people living on it. Let s join others around the county who are speaking up for keeping our Paris Agreements! Call: Scott Pruitt, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency: (202) A suggested script for Scott Pruitt, EPA Director Hello, my name is and I'm a concerned citizen from rural California. I'm calling to let Director Pruitt know I support the United States remaining as a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement. It is vital to our health, economy and national security. Thanks for taking my call. Call: The House Energy and Commerce Committee; this committee oversees the EPA. (202) A suggested script for the Office of the House Energy and Commerce Committee: Hi, my name is, a concerned American. [I don t need a call back.] I m calling to let the Energy and Commerce Committee know that I support the United States remaining a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement. It is vital to our health, economy and national security. Thank you for taking my message. Call: Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee: DC: (202) ; Bend: (541) A suggested script for Rep. Greg Walden, Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee: Hi, my name is, a concerned American. [I don t need a call back.] I m calling to express my support for the United States remaining a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement. It is vital to our health, economy and national security. Thank you for taking my message. Call: The White house comment line: ; (Could try the Switchboard, too: ) A suggested script for the White House Comment line: Hi, my name is, a concerned American. I m calling to express my support for the United States remaining a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement. It is vital to our health, economy and national security. Thank you for taking my message. ~ 1 ~

2 Help DREAMer Juan Manuel Montes Return Home Summary: Juan Manuel Montes, 23, has lived in the United States for 14 years and has twice been granted deferral of deportation and a work permit under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. President Trump has stated that DREAMers aren t targets of his mass deportation campaign and that his goal is to remove violent criminals. Despite Juan's active DACA status, he was arrested by ICE agents in February and deported to Mexico within 3 hours because he did not have ID on him. His ID was in a friend's car, but the agents refused to let him retrieve them. There are 750,000 other DREAMers, who have worked hard to earn the right to live and work here, and Juan s arrest and deportation sends a frightening notice to them. Those of us who are not subject to these threats can speak up for Juan and by doing so, make a statement to all concerned! Call: Department of Homeland Security which is the organization driving legislation related to the issue. ( ) A suggested script for Department of Homeland Security: Hi, my name is. Thank you for taking my call/ [OR FOR VM: I don t need a call back.] I'm calling to support the return of DACA recipient Juan Manuel Montes to his home in the United States. ICE should prioritize deportations for criminals who have committed violent crimes and respect the protected status of the DREAMers. Thanks for taking my message. Protect America's DREAMers with the Bridge Act Summary: The DACA Program (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) of 2012 provides temporary stays of deportation and work permits for young undocumented students and veterans who were raised as Americans. DACA recipients, known as DREAMers, undergo criminal background checks, pay application fees, and meet eligibility criteria including that they came to the United States as minors, grew up in the United States, pursued an education or served in the military and don t pose a threat to the country. They strengthen the United States as small business owners, medical professionals, teachers, caregivers and members of the armed forces. Trump has vowed repeatedly to end DACA and, because the program was instituted by an Obama Executive Order (EO), he now has the power to overturn the program by EO. But, Congress can stop him if they pass a law. The BRIDGE Act (Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy Act, or S.128 and H.R. 496) is a bipartisan bill, introduced by Senators Graham (R-SC) and Durbin (D-IL). It would protect DREAMers by providing temporary stays of deportation and work permits. Let s stand up for DREAMers and call in support of the BRIDGE Act. We ll start with our own Members of Congress as they have yet to sign on. Call: Congressman Jared Huffman to let him know you support the BRIDGE Act. (DC office: (202) ; Eureka Office: (707) ) A suggested script for Representative Huffman: Hi, my name is and my zip code is. [I don t need a call back.] I m calling to express my support for the BRIDGE Act, H.R. 496, which will protect undocumented students and veterans from deportation, and allow them to continue contributing to our American communities. Thank you for taking my message. Call: Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris to let them know you support the BRIDGE Act. Sen. Feinstein: S F Office: (415) ; LA Office: (310) Sen Harris: D.C. Office: (202) ; SF Office: (213) ; Sacramento Office: (916) A suggested script for Senators Feinstein and Harris: Hi, my name is and my zip code is. [I don t need a call back.] I m calling to express my support for the BRIDGE Act, S.B The BRIDGE Act will protect undocumented students and veterans from deportation, and it will allow them to continue contributing to our American communities. Thank you for taking my message. ~ 2 ~

3 Federal Budget FY 2018 SHEET 2 Trump s proposed 2018 Budget has so many wrong priorities bombs and walls over schools, health care and the environment it s not possible to call about all the issues we are concerned about. We ve called several times about cuts to the EPA and once about cuts to the National Service program; today we ll focus on speaking up for three other key areas of the budget. Summaries of issues are covered on this page, below, while phone numbers and scripts for each of these concerns are on the other side. Pick the issues you care most about and call about them. As always, only bring up one issue per call. However, I ve included multiple office numbers for most folks we are calling, so you can call a different office per issue. 1. Protect Funding for Planned Parenthood Summary: With control of the White House and both houses of Congress, the GOP is moving aggressively to defund Planned Parenthood (PP). While the attempt to defund PP through the new GOP health care plan failed, they did get through Congress a repeal of an Obama rule that prohibited states from withholding federal funds for health clinics that provide abortions. And, once again, conservatives are threatening to oppose the budget, and force a government shutdown, if it contains any funding for Planned Parenthood. [Opposition based on anti-abortion beliefs is redundant, ridiculous and grandstanding. The Hyde Amendment - passed with the budget every year since already bans federal money from going to abortion services.] If defunded, Planned Parenthood would have to cut vital healthcare services such as mammograms, prenatal care, health screenings and birth control. Without PP clinics, over 2.5 million women would lose a primary health care provider. Further, PP saves the government that is us money. One reputable study recently estimated that for every federal dollar spent on contraception, the government saves five dollars on pregnancy treatment. We can share this with Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee. 2. Save Funds for Libraries & Literacy Summary: The Institute of Museum and Library Services, which administers the bulk of federal library funding under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), is included in the list of independent agencies the Trump administration s proposed budget recommends eliminating. The small sums provided to the LSTA deliver high economic and social returns. In the past, LSTA has provided support to run literacy programs for kids, build high-tech small business service centers, help veterans apply for benefits, provide resources for blind and hearing-impaired library patrons, offer resume writing and job skills workshops, and teach kids how to write computer code. We can call our Members of Congress as well as GOP Senators on the Budget Committee. 3. Maintain Funding for McKinney-Vento Homeless Grants Summary: The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program is a principle funding source for programs working to end homelessness. It funds programs such as permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing which have proven to be effective in getting people off the street and leading healthier, more comfortable lives while saving both the federal and local governments hundreds of thousands of dollars per individual. We need Congress to maintain at least $2.6 billion in the FY 2018 Budget for this program. We will be joining callers and advocates from all over the US in working to retain this program! (Continued on other side) ~ 3 ~

4 Call: Sen. Feinstein: S F Office: (415) ; LA Office: (310) ; San Diego: (619) ; Call: Sen. Harris: D.C. Office: (202) ; LA Office: (213) ; Sacramento: (916) Call: Rep. Huffman: D.C. office: (202) ; Eureka: (707) ; Ukiah: (707) ; San Francisco: (415) ; Petaluma: (707) Call: The staff of the Senate Budget Committee: Phone: (202) Call: Republican members of Senate Budget Committee: ~ 4 ~ Dial *67 before number Senator Charles Grassley, (R-IA) D.C. Office: (202) ; Des Moines: (515) Senator Mike Crapo, (R-ID) D.C. Office: (202) ; Boise: (208) Senator Pat Toomey, (R-PA) D.C. Office: (202) ; Philadelphia: (215) Senator Ron Johnson, (R-WI) D.C. Office: (202) ; Milwaukee: (414) Senator Bob Corker, (R-TN) D.C. Office: (202) ; Memphis (901) Senator David Perdue, (R-GA) D.C. Office: (202) ; Atlanta: (404) Senator Cory Gardner, (R-CO) D.C. Office: (202) ; Denver: (303) Senator John Kennedy, (R-LA) D.C. Office: (202) ; Lafayette: (337) Senator John Boozman, (R-AR) D.C. Office: (202) ; Little Rock: (501) Protect Federal Funding for Planned Parenthood A suggested script for Senators Feinstein and Harris or Representative Jared Huffman: Hi, my name is, a constituent from (city, zip). [I don t need a call back.] I'm calling to express my strong support for Planned Parenthood health centers. These cuts would leave millions of people, mostly women with low-incomes, without access to lifesaving cancer screenings, reproductive and other basic health care. Thanks for taking my message. A suggested script for staff and Republican members of Senate Budget Committee: Hi, my name is. [I don t need a call back.] I'm calling to express my support for continued funding of Planned Parenthood health centers in the 2018 budget. Thanks for taking my message. Save Federal Funds for Libraries & Literacy A suggested script for Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris or Representative Jared Huffman: Hello, my name is and I'm a /constituent from [city zip]. [I don t need a call back.] I'm calling to urge to support funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the 2018 Budget. Please communicate your support for the IMLS to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Budget Committees and congressional leadership. Thank you for taking my call. A suggested script for staff and Republican members of Senate Budget Committee: Hello, my name is. I'm calling to urge the Budget Committee members to support funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the 2018 Budget. Thank you for taking my call. Maintain Funding for McKinney-Vento Homeless Grants A suggested script for Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris or Representative Jared Huffman: Hi, my name is and I'm a /constituent from [city zip]. [I don t need a call back.] I'm calling to urge to support funding for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance program at $2.6 billion in the 2018 Budget. Please communicate your support for this to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Budget Committees and congressional leadership. Thank you for taking my message. A suggested script for staff and Republican members of Senate Budget Committee: Hi, my name is. I'm calling express my support for $2.6 billion in funding for the McKinney- Vento Homeless Assistance program in the 2018 Budget. Thank you for taking my call.

5 SHEET 3 Insist Congress Insist that Trump Release His Tax Returns Summary: Trump has not yet released his tax returns. Congress and citizens need this information to understand if the President has conflicts of interest, and /or any entanglements with Russia. Although members of Congress have asked a few times and a few have made strong statements, this issue it isn t getting the attention it deserves. As it happens, there s a tax law statute from 1924, Section 6103, that gives three congressional committees (Senate Finance, Joint Committee on Taxation, and House Ways and Means) broad discretion to request tax returns from individuals for examination. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) of the House Ways and Means Committee and Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) on the Senate Finance Committee, both introduced Resolutions of Inquiry in their respective committees that would direct the Treasury Department to release Trump's tax returns. However, both were struck down by the GOP majorities. Let s tell committee chairs and staff we want them to issue new Resolutions of Inquiry to the Treasury Department to release Trump s tax returns, since Trump has stated that he will not. Call: Sen. Orin Hatch (R-UT), Chair, Senate Finance Committee: DC: ; UT: (801) Call: Potentially swayable Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee: Senator Richard Burr (R-NC): DC: (202) ; NC: (336) Senator Tim Scott (R-SC): DC: (202) ; SC: (803) Senator John McCain (R-AZ.) DC: (202) ; Phoenix: (602) Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) DC: (202) ; Cincinnati: (513) ~ 5 ~ Dial *67 before number A suggested script for Chair Hatch and potentially swayable Republicans on Senate Finance Committee: Hello, my name is, a concerned citizen. [I don t need a response.] I'm calling to urge Senator to support a new Resolution of Inquiry calling for the release of President Trump's tax returns by the Treasury Department. Congress and the public need to know whether there are conflicts of interest or any financial entanglements with Russia. Thank you for taking my call. Call: Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chair, House Ways and Means Committee: DC Office: (202) ; Conroe, TX: (936) A suggested script for Rep. Brady: Hello, my name is, a concerned citizen. [I don t need a response.] I'm calling to urge Rep. Brady to support a new Resolution of Inquiry calling for the release of President Trump's tax returns by the Treasury Department. Congress and the public need to know whether there are conflicts of interest or any financial entanglements with Russia. Thank you for taking my call. Call: House Ways and Means Committee, Office: (202) Call: The Joint Committee on Taxation, Office: (202) Call: Senate Finance Committee, Office: A suggested script for staff of three committees: Hello, my name is, a concerned citizen. [I don t need a response.] I'm calling to express my support for a new Resolution of Inquiry calling for the release of President Trump's tax returns by the Treasury Department. Congress and the public need to know whether there are conflicts of interest or any financial entanglements with Russia. Thank you for taking my call.

6 Say No to Big Media Company Buy of Local Broadcasting Summary: As you may have read in the Times-Standard, on April 21, media giant Sinclair Broadcast Group announced they plan to acquire four Eureka television stations as part of a larger $240 million deal. The following Eureka stations would be sold to Sinclair: ABC affiliate KAEF-TV and its sister FOX affiliate station KBVU; CW Television Network affiliate KECA-LD; and Univision affiliate KEUV-LP. Sinclair s announcement came after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to allow companies to acquire more stations. If the FCC approves it, this would increase Sinclair s holdings to 191 stations broadcasting 551 channels in 89 markets nationally, and 39% of the Eureka/Humboldt market. The high percentage of the broadcast market owned by one company is problematic enough, but there s another reason it would be bad for our area. According to The Times-Standard, the Washington Post and nonprofit media advocacy group Free Press have reported that during the 2016 Campaign Sinclair stations gave neutral or positive coverage to Trump while giving unfavorable coverage to Clinton, and have a history of gutting news departments and replacing news with right-wing propaganda from non-local sources. The deal seems to be moving rapidly -- Sinclair says it will be done by this fall -- so let s start calling this week. We must stand up and fight this attempted right-wing, corporate take-over of local media. Call: Federal Communications Commission Chairman, Ajit Pai, at (888) A suggested script for Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman: Hello, my name is and I'm a concerned citizen from rural California. [I don t need a call back] I'm calling to urge Chairman Pai and the FCC to reconsider their recent decision to reinstate the UHF discount. That action has resulted in a large media company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, stating it will acquire 39% of our local broadcast market. Thank you for taking my message. Call: House Committee on Energy and Commerce (they oversee the FCC). Staff: (202) Call: Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), Chair, House Energy and Commerce Committee: DC: (202) ; Bend: (541) A suggested script for House Committee on Energy and Commerce staff and Chair Rep. Walden: Hello, my name is and I'm a concerned citizen from rural California. [I don t need a call back] I'm calling to urge the House Energy and Commerce Committee to ask the FCC to reconsider their recent decision to reinstate the UHF discount. That action resulted in a large media company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, stating it will acquire 39% of my local broadcast market. Thanks for taking my call. Call: Rep. Huffman: D.C. Office: (202) ; Eureka: (707) ; Ukiah: (707) ; San Francisco: (415) ; Petaluma: (707) A suggested script for Congressman Huffman: Hello, my name is and I'm constituent from [city, zip]. I'm calling to let Rep. Huffman know I am concerned about recent statements by the Sinclair Company about their plans to acquire four broadcast stations in our area, which is 39% of this market. I am requesting that he communicate our concerns about this to FCC Chair Pai and the Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and ask them to reconsider their recent decision to reinstate the UHF discount. Thanks for taking my call. Most of the content in these sheets is original; some words and phrases, however, may be dropped in from various sites including, but not limited to: The Hill; WaPo; Times-Standard, NYT; Wall-of-Us; United We Dream; 5 Calls; Politico; Indivisible; Congress.gov; Senate.gov; Union of Concerned Scientists; ACLU; Healthcare for All; SPLC; Sierra Club; Immigrant Legal Resource Center; Credo & Planned Parenthood. - Elizabeth Conner ~ 6 ~