PROSECUTE PUTIN AND HIS HENCHMEN FOR WAR CRIMES
Putin, his officers, and many Russians soldiers have engaged in multiple illegal acts against Ukrainian civilians and armed forces—from rape to mass bombings of unarmed civilians and the forced deportation of thousands, all violating international law. The culprits must be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC) established in 2002 to prosecute such war crimes, crimes against humanity.
AMERICANS NEED ECONOMIC RELIEF NOW
Some in Congress still hope portions of Biden’s domestic agenda, like the Child Tax Credit, student debt cancellation, childcare and universal pre-K, can be passed through reconciliation, but time is running out. In this period of soaring inflation, struggling Americans need help, and so do the Dems heading into the midterms. If Congress cannot quickly provide this relief, Biden must do so through executive action.
One Million COVID Deaths Later, Are We Numb?
At this time two years ago, the United States counted one million American COVID cases. This month, we will face another milestone: one million American COVID deaths. One million deaths has to be transformative. We need a “playbook” guided by public health experts and coordinated by federal institutions that we protect from political dismantling.
FRIDAY RECAP: April 15, 2022
Read this week’s Daily Actions on the direction of the ultra-conservative Supreme Court, the Florida governor damning those who are “woke,” and the interplay of Ukraine and climate change. Then, commit to calling your MoC again today on one of these topics.
Our actions give you solid information quickly, provide ways to fight for our democracy, and even supply sample scripts for you to use when calling your Members of Congress.
The War in Ukraine AND the Crises of Climate Change
A total embargo on Russian oil and petroleum products together with a rapid transition to renewable energy is not only smart environmental policy but can help Ukraine and reduce our dependency on petro-dictators. The surprisingly rapid changes have alarmed scientists that the United Nations Secretary-General put it bluntly. “Delay is Death”
“WOKE” TARGETED IN FLORIDA
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s attack on “woke-ness” is a page from the Republican playbook. Avoiding substantive debate, the GOP takes social wedge issues and, using fear-mongering and lies, further drives Americans into opposing camps. But woke means to be aware of issues of racial and social justice. So his attack on those of us who are woke is another example of Republican racism in new clothes.
THE SUPREME COURT NEEDS MORE THAN JUSTICE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON
Congress must intervene to prevent the Supreme Court’s ultraconservative super-majority from constraining both the executive and legislative branches and destroying our democracy in the process.
FRIDAY RECAP: April 15, 2022
Read this week’s Daily Actions on the need to hold Putin responsible for war crimes in Ukraine, to hold American oligarchs responsible for their profiteering, and to try Trump for his role in the January 6 insurrection, and commit to calling your MoC again today on one of these topics.
Our actions give you solid information quickly, provide ways to fight for our democracy, and even supply sample scripts for you to use when calling your Members of Congress.
Today is also a time to celebrate Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, so call your MoCs and leave a celebratory message.
Finally, Senator Wyden has invited us to celebrate this historic occasion with him at celebratory news conferences today in Portland and tomorrow in Eugene (check out the body of today’s Daily Action for the time and place of each).
LOCK HIM UP
Although the Attorney General has pledged to pursue every person involved in the January 6 insurrection, “at any level,” the Department of Justice shows no sign of conducting an investigation into Trump’s role. But the January 6 Committee and a federal judge have collected and assessed the evidence, and they are pushing DOJ to move. We must add our voice.
Oligarchs Made in America Profiting from Economic Crises
Last year large corporations realized the highest increase in the rate of profits since 1976 much of it derived from monopoly price gouging. The super-rich are the principal beneficiaries, at the same time, most Americans are struggling to make ends meet. Inflation has compounded the difficulties for millions to afford the basic necessities of life.
PUTIN MUST BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR WAR CRIMES IN UKRAINE
Horrendous images of the nightmarish atrocities committed by Russian soldiers are only now coming to light as areas are liberated. The West’s refusal to hold Putin accountable for past atrocities in Chechnya, Crimea, and Syria, by cutting off Russia’s billions in fossil fuel revenue, reinforced his belief that he could act with impunity towards his neighbors. Our government’s failure to hold Trump and his MAGA mob accountable for their attacks on “the other,” the freedom to vote, and the peaceful transfer of power sends this same message. Both must be combatted.
FRIDAY RECAP: april 1, 2022
Read this week’s Daily Actions on the need for legislation to protect transgender and non-conforming people from GOP legislation targeting them solely to fire up their base, the duty our Members of Congress have to fight against GOP misinformation that is poisoning our democracy, how Justice Clarence Thomas’ refusal to recuse himself from hearing cases that could expose his wife’s involvement in seeking to overturn the 2020 election must be investigated and punished to protect SCOTUS’ impartiality and legitimacy. Our actions give you solid information quickly, provide ways to fight for our democracy, and even supply sample scripts for you to use when calling your Members of Congress.
THE SUPREME COURT NEEDS AN ENFORCEABLE CODE OF ETHICS
The scandal swirling around Ginny Thomas, wife of conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, revealed she pushed the White House to overturn the 2020 election at the same time Trump and his allies were trying to get SCOTUS to negate the election results. Coincidence? Coordination? It’s called into question SCOTUS’ impartiality and legitimacy. Congress must fully investigate the extent of Thomas’ real and potential, past and present conflicts of interest to determine whether impeachment is warranted and draft a Code of Conduct if SCOTUS fails to act.
GOP LIES ARE POISONING DEMOCRACY
A substantial percentage of Americans are convinced that, on critical subjects, lies are the truth. These are not differences of opinion. These people have been intentionally misled. The manufactured divisions have created a political stalemate, leaving big issues, like protecting the vote, unaddressed and festering. We must recognize that these purpose-driven lies are a potent assault on democracy and join the fight for truth.
Trans Youth Are Under Attack By The MAGA Mob
Nearly 200 new state bills aim to erode protections for transgender and gay youth in public schools. Transgender youth are particularly vulnerable with 86% reporting suicidality and 56% reporting a suicide attempt. Despite this, the GOP keeps writing legislation targeting trans children as “good politics,” to fire up their base and vote in November.