Contact info for Gorge area federal and state legislators
FEDERAL
   OR:   Sen. Ron Wyden – Email; (202) 224-5244     Sen. Jeff Merkley – Email; (202) 224-3753         Rep. Cliff Bentz – Email; (202) 225-6730
   WA:  Sen. Patty Murray – Email; (202) 224-2621    Sen. Maria Cantwell – Email; (202) 224-3441    Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler – Email; (202) 225-3536
   Others:   Find your federal reps here.
STATE
   Hood River County:  Rep. Anna Williams – Email; 503-986-1452      Sen. Chuck Thomsen – Email; 503-986-1726
   W Wasco County:     Rep. Daniel Bonham – Email; 503-986-1459     Sen. Lynn Findley - Email 503-986-1730
   Others:   Find your OR state reps here. 

2021

JUNE
6/12   For The People Act: ALL HANDS ON DECK NOW
CALL Sen. Merkley (202-224-3753). CALL Sen. Wyden (202-224-5244).
Don’t just email, CALL. If after hours, LEAVE A MESSAGE.

The week of June 21st will see S1, the For The People Act, come to the US Senate for a vote. This will put the filibuster front and center in the fight for democracy. It is critically important that our Senators, Merkley and Wyden, use every bit of their considerable influence in the Senate to defang or get rid of the filibuster. It took months to exempt the filibuster and pass the 1964 Civil Rights and 1965 Voting Rights Act. Time is of the essence in fighting for S1, so our senators need to act swiftly and decisively.

MESSAGE to our Senators:
I’m ____ and I’m from ____, Oregon. I urge you to go all out, right now, to use your considerable influence in the Senate to defang or get rid of the filibuster when S1 comes up for a vote soon. You must convince your colleagues and Democratic leadership that saving democracy is more important than preserving the filibuster. Be a hero in this critical fight for democracy. Make it happen.

6/7   Write 2 Postcards for OR Climate Bills
Write your State Sen. & State Rep.

Dear ­­­[Rep./Sen.],
I’m your constituent and am VERY concerned about the climate crisis. I ask you to please support HB 2398, the “Reach” building code bill (“Letting Cities Reach for Big Energy Savings”). Many of the larger cities in OR are ready to adopt more energy efficient building standards. The bill will allow them to do this, and is critical for meeting our climate goals. Let cities choose a “Reach” code instead of the state’s “base” code by passing HB 2398.

Dear ­­­[Rep./Sen.],
I’m your constituent and am VERY concerned about the climate crisis. I urge you to support HB 2021, the “100% Clean Energy” bill. We need OR to commit to obtaining 100% of its electricity from clean and carbon-free energy sources by 2040. Your vote for HB 2021 will be a needed vote for our children’s future.

MAY
5/28   Pass S1 by Whatever Means Necessary
From League of Women Voters:
We're close to passing once-in-a-generation legislation to protect the freedom to vote. 
The For the People Act (S1) would:
• Restore the Voting Rights Act; 
• Modernize our voter registration system; 
• Restore voting rights to formerly-incarcerated individuals; 
• Curb partisan gerrymandering; and
• Make campaign contributions more transparent.

President Biden was elected to office to improve our democracy -- and that's why we're calling on him to continue speaking out in favor of S1 and to urge the Senate to pass it by any means necessary!

Sign this petition today to let him know you feel the same way! Together, we can strengthen our democracy.

5/26   Another mass shooting. This time, San Jose.
THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.
The entire US Senate needs to be barraged, again, with this message: Take Bipartisan Action on Background Checks NOW.
Click here to send your message.

5/25 Legislators: YES on Wildfire Safe Bill
Click here to send an email to your legislators urging them to vote YES on SB 762 to make Oregon Wildfire Safe.

Last year’s wildfires in OR were truly a disaster - 1.2 million acres burned, $1.5 billion in damages, lives & livelihoods lost. We know we’ll have more. This bill is designed to proactively prepare for that. The bill

• Invests in our communities through restoration of forests and rangelands to reduce wildfire risk;
• Adds firefighter capacity, and additional resources for wildfire response and firefighter safety;
• Establishes defensible space standards;
• Provides financial resources to protect communities and critical infrastructure;
• Creates the Oregon Wildfire Workforce Corps Program to reduce wildfire risk to communities and to provide workforce training to the next generation of land managers.

Ask your legislators to vote yes on SB 762. We need it.

5/21 Clean Energy and Clean E Jobs for Oregon!
Call/write your State Sen. & State Rep.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to ask you to support 100% Clean Energy for All (HB 2021) and Healthy Homes (HB 2842). Together, these bills will create good jobs in clean energy and make homes healthier and less expensive to heat and cool. Our children and grandchildren deserve these investments in their futures, and your vote will help make it happen!

5/18  End Voter Suppression by Passing S.1
Call/write your US Senators.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to thank the Senator for his commitment to voting protections. At this moment, democracy is under assault by states imposing voter suppression laws. We need S.1 to strengthen and secure voting and elections. Please persuade holdout Joe Manchin to support S.1.

5/14  HB 2021: 100% Clean E for Oregon by 2040!
Call/write your State Sen. & State Rep.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to ask you to support HB 2021, which will transition Oregon to 100% clean energy by 2040. Our lives and livelihoods are being hurt by climate change effects - increasing wildfires, ice storms, drought - and we need to act boldly and quickly.

HB 2021 will provide clean energy projects and good jobs for local communities. The bill specifies that clean energy projects will hire locally, pay the prevailing wage and provide good benefits, and create opportunities for apprenticeships.

Many states have already adopted 100% clean electricity policies, including Nevada, Washington, and California in the West. With our children’s future hanging in the balance, Oregon needs to get with the program. Please support a robust HB 2021, and commit us to 100% clean energy by 2040.

5/7  EPA: Protect Bristol Bay PERMANENTLY
Last November, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied a key permit for the Pebble Mine, which would have destroyed Bristol Bay, Alaska—America's greatest salmon stronghold. GREAT! But the threat of future mining still looms over Bristol Bay. Join in calling on the EPA for a veto of Pebble through the Clean Water Act, which would provide permanent protection.

https://wildsalmoncenter.org/2020/07/16/take-action-for-bristol-bay-2/?emci=9d9c0002-5eac-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=2816cb1d-2cad-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=4126104

APRIL
4/29  Press for OR’s Divestment from Fossil Fuels
Our network of Oregon Indivisible groups (COIN) is co-sponsoring an online Q&A with OR State Treasurer Tobias Read to push for divestment from fossil fuels in Oregon’s investment portfolio. The event is May 5, from 7-8pm (see Calendar entry above).
 
As State Treasurer, Read manages OR’s $110 billion state pension fund investments and votes those shares at the Annual General Meetings of some of the largest financial institutions and fossil fuel companies in the country. 
 
Attend the [virtual] meeting, and/or email to Mr. Read with your views on fossil fuel divestment in OR’s huge investment portfolio. Our participation will demonstrate to Treasurer Read that climate activists care where Oregon’s $$$ are invested.
 
4/27  Legislators: Climate Action for OR
Call/write your State Sen. & State Rep.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to support on two critical climate action bills, HB 2021 and HB 2398, moving forward in the Oregon Legislature. The climate crisis is worsening and we MUST take action to take action to ensure Oregon is livable for decades to come

HB 2021 would commit Oregon to obtaining 100% of its electricity from clean and carbon-free energy sources by 2040. Transitioning to solar, wind, storage and other clean energy technologies will spark needed economic development in the renewable energy sector and create family-wage jobs for clean energy, storage, and transmission projects.

HB 2398 would establish a more energy efficient building code in Oregon that cities and counties can individually choose to adopt. Doing so will allow residents to lock in energy and cost savings, as well as reducing climate pollution.

We MUST have substantive climate action in Oregon this year. I ask that you prioritize passing HB 2021 and HB 2398 this legislative session.
 
4/23  Pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
Call/write your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
For Senators Merkley & Wyden:
We need justice for all. I urge you to push hard to break the deadlock in the Senate and pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Eliminate the filibuster, if needed. We need to put an end to the systemic racism that infects too many law enforcement agencies.
 
For Rep. Bentz:
I hope this week’s murder verdict causes you to reassess your vote on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. We cannot allow the systemic racism that infests many of the law enforcement agencies here in your district to continue. I urge you to find the fortitude to step away from your party and support your constituents.
 
4/22, EARTH DAY  Save the Snake River
Call/write your US Senators and Representative. 
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to read a new report by American Rivers entitled “America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2021.” The number one most endangered river - the Snake River - is right here in our back yard. 
 
Because of the four lower dams on the Snake River, salmon are teetering on the brink of extinction. The loss of salmon, a keystone species, has already devastated ecosystems, native cultures, and fishing communities across the region. The ecology and prosperity of the PNW are directly dependent on healthy salmon runs in the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
 
You can find the full report on the American Rivers website (https://endangeredrivers.americanrivers.org). I strongly urge you to read it, and to work on finding solutions for the health of the Snake River.

4/19 Fix Methane Policy NOW
Call/write your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you support Senate Joint Resolution 14 /HJ Res 34, to adopt critically-needed limits on methane emissions. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and accounts for 25% of climate change effects today. Support for reducing oil and gas methane emissions is widespread and bipartisan - including the likes of Shell, BP, and the American Petroleum Institute.

We had sensible methane regulation that was working before Trump tried to wipe it all away. SJR 14 and HJR 34 invoke the Congressional Review Act and rescind the harmful methane policies adopted by the Trump administration. Trump broke it; we have to fix it.

We are fully into a severe climate crisis. It can not be ignored, and all points of leverage in reversing it need to be activated. Reducing methane pollution from the oil and gas industry is the single fastest, most cost-effective way to slow the rate of warming. PLEASE ACT NOW. Support SJR 14 and HR 34.

4/14 Vote for DC Statehood
Call/write your US Representative.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you, as my elected Representative, to vote in to grant statehood to the District of Columbia when it comes soon to the full House for a vote.

There are 700,000 people who live in Washington DC, and they have no representation in Congress. They pay taxes, they serve in the military, they are subject to the laws of this country, but they have no vote voting rights. The majority of the district is black. Granting statehood to the District of Columbia is an issue of representation in our democracy, an issue of voting rights, and an issue of racial justice.

I urge you to ensure that DC is granted statehood so that its residents can enjoy the same democratic freedoms that the rest of us do.

MARCH
3/29 Act on Gun Violence NOW
Call/write your US Senators and Rep.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing yet again to demand that you personally take responsibility for passing protective legislation in Congress against the gun violence that threatens us in every venue of our lives - schools, shopping, church, movies, neighborhoods, home. And now two more mass shootings in a week! Lives are snuffed out in an instant, and ripples of terror and grief spread out in ever-widening circles around them.

Enough is enough!! We’ve said it before. Efforts at needed legislation have been made and thwarted. Thoughts and prayers are sprinkled by electeds who don’t give a damn. I beg you and your colleagues to step up and give a damn.

We need true universal background checks, closure of loopholes in existing legislation (including Charleston & domestic partner loopholes), ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and mandatory safe storage and trigger locks. It is way past time to deliver on these long-needed protections. I am counting on you as my elected Senator/Representative to protect me and my family and neighbors NOW.

3/28 Disarm the Filibuster, Pass the For the People Act
Call/write your two US Senators.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to strongly urge you to eliminate the filibuster, or modify it so that it cannot be used to prevent passage of the For the People Act (HR1/S1). Passing the For the People Act is critical to preserving our democracy, and especially to counteracting the intense proliferation of state-level voter suppression initiatives.

The filibuster has been used to stonewall civil rights legislation, common sense gun legislation, and the Dream Act. I urge you to kill the filibuster, pass the For the People Act, and restore democracy in our country.

​3/15  Clean Energy for All Bill: Your testimony needed (written or oral).
HB2021, the Clean Energy for All Bill, will create good, well-paying, local jobs in the renewable energy sector that incentivize local projects that are good for communities and reduce pollution by achieving 100% clean energy as soon as possible. 
Click here for a factsheet on this bill.
 
Public hearing this Wed 3/17, 1pm. Sign up to give oral testimony, or to submit written testimony, at
https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Committees/HEE/2021-03-17-13-00/Agenda 
 
3/12  OR legislators, support this trio of CLIMATE bills
The  Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity Campaign, a trio of climate bills, is currently in front of the Oregon legislature. The campaign will create well-paying jobs, healthy homes, and make energy more affordable and sustainable. Click here to urge your Oregon legislators to support these bills so Oregonians can commit to 100% clean energy by 2035.
[Contributed by Hood River youth activist Phoebe Wood.] 

3/9 Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
Call/write your US Senators and Rep.
MESSAGE:
For Sens. Merkley & Wyden:
I’m calling/writing to strongly urge you to champion the John Lewis Voting Rights Act when it makes its way to the Senate. Hundreds of voter suppression bills are currently working through state legislatures. If the US is to remain a functioning democracy, you and your colleagues must ensure the opportunity for everyone to vote.

For Rep. Bentz:
I’m calling/writing to strongly urge you to vote in favor of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Hundreds of voter suppression bills are currently working through state legislatures. Voter suppression is NOT democracy. If you believe in democracy, don’t undermine it. If you don’t believe in democracy, you’re in the wrong place. If you and your fellow Republicans don’t have a vision of the future that voters are willing to vote for, and therefore have to rely on voter suppression, does that tell you anything?

3/8 Critical Vote on 2 Background Checks Bills this week. Click AND call!
With a sympathetic President and with the NRA on the ropes, this is our best chance in years to close deadly flaws in current background checks law. Please GO ALL OUT! Click here to send the email to your US Rep. Then CALL Rep. Cliff Bentz.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to strongly urge you to pass H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446.

HR 8 requires background checks on ALL gun sales. (Current background checks law does NOT cover non-licensed gun show sellers, or online and from-home private sales.)

H.R. 1446 closes the Charleston loophole, a gap in federal law that allows gun sales to proceed if the background check results are not back to the seller within 3 three business days. (Due to the loophole, thousands of guns were sold to prohibited purchasers in 2020 alone, and the Mother Emanuel AME Church shooter exploited it to acquire his firearm in 2015.)

My children and I deserve protection from prohibited purchasers buying guns.

3/2 Support HR1 for Ethics in Government
Call/write Rep. Cliff Bentz.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you support HR1, the For The People Act. During the last Administration we learned we can no longer rely on goodwill and/or previous “norms” to uphold standards of ethics in government. HR1 codifies traditional ethical practices into law and re-authorizes the Office of Government Ethics and strengthens its enforcement mechanisms. Our country is built on the rule of law, and clear laws on ethics in government are clearly needed.

FEBRUARY
2/25 Call now for upcoming vote: Support George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
Call/write Rep. Cliff Bentz.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to vote YES on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (HR 7120). The bill prohibits of excessive force, bans the type of chokehold that killed George Floyd, mandates body cameras, calls for publication of national information on police misconduct, and makes it easier to hold law enforcement accountable when they kill civilians.

This legislation is long overdue. Every year, police shoot and kill more than 1,000 people in America, and Black people are the victims at a disproportionate rate. The feds do not have complete control over state and local police, but passage of this bill is a step toward creating policing equity. We do not just need police. We need police with clear boundaries.

2/22  Tell Reps face-to-face: End the gun violence!
Wish we could change our out-of-control gun culture? Willing to advocate to your state legislators for gun violence prevention bills, but Salem is too far to drive for 1 day?

GREAT NEWS! You can register now for the first ever virtual Oregon Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day, and MDA will set up virtual meetings for you with your legislators during MDA’s advocacy week, March 1-6.

During the whole week, MDA will provide lots of informational live videos, trainings, speakers, and resources to help us be successful advocates.

It’s way past time to get common sense gun violence prevention bills passed in Oregon! Jump on board for the most convenient direct advocacy opportunity ever. Register here, and MDA staffers will be in touch.


2/19  Legislators, End Gun Violence in Oregon
Call/write your State Senator and State Rep.
MESSAGE:
Senator __, I’m calling/writing to urge you to support these 2 important gun safety bills that are now in front of the state legislature:

• SB396, the Ghost guns bill

It bans ghost guns, which are undetectable and/or untraceable firearms, such as those produced by 3-D printers.

• SB554, the Guns in public buildings bill

It allows schools, the Portland airport, and public buildings like the State Capitol to prohibit guns.

Representative __, I’m calling/writing to urge you to support these 2 important gun safety bills that are now in front of the state legislature:

• HB 2510, the Secure storage bill

It requires the owner or possessor of a firearm to secure the firearm with a trigger or cable lock in a locked container or gun room, except in specified circumstances.

• HB2543, the Charleston loophole bill

It prohibits gun sales unless a background check is completed, closing the Charleston loophole.

I am a gun-safety voter because __[our kids are in danger from gun violence; I feel unsafe in my community; etc.]__.

[NOTE: You can find out more about these bills here.]

2/16  Congress: Support HR1
Call/write your US Congressperson.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to support HR1, the For the People Act. With our democracy in crisis, we need the robust democracy reforms that HR1 will provide - targeting voter suppression, gerrymandering, money in politics, and corruption, and that provide full representation for all Americans.

Your constituents want a government that functions equitably and incorporates the voice of all citizens.

2/8  Support Plan for Snake River Dams Removal
Send this letter now to our governor and US Senators asking them to support Rep. Simpson’s comprehensive proposal.

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) has recently released a proposal to remove the four lower Snake River dams, saving endangered salmon from extinction and providing food for starving orcas. It would also protect the rights of Tribal Nations, benefit the local economy, and create jobs.

2/4  Pass Bold Covid Relief Bill
Call/write your 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to support a bold covid relief bill that includes

• increasing the financial aid to state and local governments on the front lines of combatting the pandemic and delivering public services; and
• providing robust direct cash assistance in the form of survival checks to help families meet their basic needs and weather this emergency.

Americans are suffering and need prompt and significant relief.

2/1  No Exemptions for Polluters. NONE.
Oregon’s Climate Action Plan (OCAP) was created by Governor Brown last year by executive order. Now the DEQ (OR’s Dept. of Environmental Quality) is trying to exempt gas-burning power plants and other large polluters from regulation under OCAP. Fossil gas power plants are the largest stationary sources of climate pollution in Oregon, and account for 10% of our climate pollution.

Send this letter to tell Gov. Brown that natural gas power plants MUST be held accountable for their contributions to climate change. And our kids MUST have a stable climate future, starting now.

JANUARY
1/26  Urge Climate & Enviro Agenda for OR
The Oregon Conservation Network (OCN), consisting of 30+ environmental groups, has finalized four priorities for this legislative session in Salem - transitioning Oregon to a clean energy future, creating sustainable forestry management and practices, helping communities affected by wildfire, and ensuring funding to protect our natural resources, including clean air and water.

Click here to learn more and to send a letter to your state rep and state senator asking them to support these critical environmental/climate measures.

1/15  Governor, Get Tough on OCAP
Call/write Gov. Kate Brown.  (503) 378-4582, https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/share-your-opinion.aspx
MESSAGE:
I‘m calling/writing to urge you to insist the DEQ (OR’s Dept. of Environmental Quality) include gas-burning power plants and all other large polluters in the Climate Protection Program. Fossil gas power plants are the largest stationary sources of climate pollution in Oregon, accounting for 10% of our climate pollution by tons. We can’t afford to have them and other large emitters given a “pass” because their industry leaders are worried about their short-term profits.

With your executive order for OCAP (Oregon Climate Action Plan) last year, you showed you value science and understand we need clean energy economy pronto. If DEQ won’t commit to strong targets for climate pollution reductions, especially an interim target, your good intentions will not produce the results we need.

Get tough, Governor, and make DEQ give our kids the future they deserve.

1/8  Bentz Complicit in Insurrection
Call/write Bentz (202-225-6730; https://bentz.house.gov/contact).
Write an LTE to your local paper.
Newly elected CD2 Congressperson Cliff Bentz, replacing Walden, took no time after his Nov 3 election to join the ranks of Trump sycophants undermining the election results, an effort that reached its peak with the Jan 6 insurrection at the Capitol. In December Bentz called for a Congressional investigation into “election irregularities,” echoing Trump debased claims. After the riot, he voted against the Pennsylvania presidential electors, providing a specious argument in a statement to reporters (complaining about PA accepting 10,000 votes postmarked by Nov 3, but received after Nov 3; AND those votes weren’t even counted in PA’s totals).

Happy with this performance? Happy for this “representation” in Congress? This was a swell first week in office? Mr. Bentz needs to hear from his constituents loud and clear. It’s always a good idea to call/write your MoC (member of Congress), especially for egregious errors like this. Even more powerful in terms of exposure is to submit an LTE (letter to the editor) to your/our local paper. Let Bentz have it, use his whole name (which his staffers track), let everyone read about it.

2020

DECEMBER
12/24  SEND MESSAGE: No backsliding on OR climate action!
GREAT NEWS on climate action in OR: Rulemaking is starting now for implementation of Gov. Brown’s executive order for climate action (Oregon Climate Action Plan, or OCAP).

A BIG HITCH: The state’s Environmental Quality Commission is selecting members for a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) that will guide implementation - but the majority of members they’ve selected are polluting industry voices such as oil and gas representatives. Two recent additions to the RAC are representatives from the Oregon Trucking Association and a chapter of the Oregon Wheat Growers, both of which have been vocal opponents of pollution reduction programs. These chosen polluter voices far outnumber the chosen voices of stakeholders and science experts - Oregon’s frontline and BIPOC communities, environmental scientists and advocates, and public health experts.

OUR JOB: Insist the EQ Commission stack the RAC with people who are committed to combatting climate change, not those committed to corporate profits at the expense of the rest of the state, country, and world.

SEND THIS MESSAGE to the Commissioners, and get your friends and neighbors to do the same. Oregon can (and must) do better!

12/23  GA Runoffs: Jump in for the last stretch!
Phonebanking is what is most wanted by the campaigns. Choose your phonebanking “host(s)” - Fair Fight, Reclaim Our Vote, Ossoff campaign, Warnock campaign -and get started today!

Letter-writing:  Sign up at VoteFoward (the letter-writing function of SwingLeft), download the letters and addresses, and off you go! Write, stamp, and mail from the comfort of your own home. ICG can provide some envelopes and stamps - email us!

Donating:  Consider donating to #WinBothSeats, an influencer-activist led initiative focused on rapidly raising money for Black and Brown led organizers focused on voter turnout during the Georgia Senate runoffs. 100% of donations is passed on to these organizers.

12/18   ALERT! Email re: EVICTION MORATORIUM needed by end of today, Friday
Gov. Brown is convening a special legislative session next Monday, Dec 21, to hopefully extend the eviction moratorium. She’s proposing an $800 million aid package (“LC18”) for benefit of both tenants and landlords, funding for vaccine distribution and contact tracing, wildfire prevention and community preparedness, and support for reopening schools. 
 
Tomorrow, Sat, lawmakers will be hearing testimony on extending the eviction moratorium and providing assistance for tenants and landlords. 
We need to show community support to get this across the finish line!
 
Email to: J3SS.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov  
TEMPLATE FOR EMAILED TESTIMONY: 
Subject: Yes on LC 18
Hundreds of thousands of Oregonians are renters who have struggled financially during the COVID pandemic. I’m writing to urge you to extend the eviction moratorium and provide funding for rent assistance.
 
Additional talking points that you can add or adapt to your circumstance: 

• COVID-19 isn’t ending on December 31. Protections for people like me shouldn’t either. 
• The eviction moratorium should be extended through June of 2021 to help families get through the school year. 
• There should be a landlord compensation fund that helps smaller landlords with back rent to help stabilize the housing market and a fund to help renters moving forward. 
• The overwhelming number of renters are keeping up with their rent in Oregon despite the pandemic, job loss, and shut down communities. Assistance should be there for those who need the extra help. 
• Until there are vaccines for everyone, the safest place for people to be in a pandemic is safe at home. Families and individuals will be at higher risk of COVID if we lose our homes and our communities will have increased spread of this terrible disease. 
• Our Black and Brown neighbors are at the greatest risk of lifelong harm from the COVID evictions. Discriminatory housing policies have homeownership difficult and incessible, leaving people of color at higher risk of rental evictions even as higher rates of COVID exposure are leaving people ill and economically stressed. 
• I have never been late with a rent payment in my life, but COVID has brought a new reality. With unemployment insurance ending and no federal assistance in sight, we need this bill to help keep us safe and in our homes during the pandemic and to also protect us from eviction and displacement. 
• We have done all we can to pay our rent - using savings, making sacrifices, borrowing money. But people need help to get through this pandemic. 
• The eviction moratorium has kept my family stable. We have computers and internet connection so my children can do remote learning. Without the extension we would be thrown into uncertainty and the most difficult school year of our lifetimes would become even harder, disrupting my children’s education and affecting the rest of their academic career.  
• I have done my part and played by the rules but with COVID, the rules have changed. If I get an eviction on my record it will make it almost impossible for me to find a new home and me/my family will suffer the effects of that for years to come. In a time like this when we are all facing an enemy larger than ourselves - this pandemic - we must come together and help each other through so that the impacts don’t last a lifetime. 
• Lifting eviction moratoriums increases COVID illness and death. The best prevention during the pandemic is a safe place to stay, which is why eviction moratoriums were put in place. Incidences of COVID-19 have risen in states that lifted moratoriums at 2.1 times the rate of states that maintained them. Deaths increased by 5.4 times.
• Families need stability to provide for their children’s education. More than one in five families with children who rent their homes say they may not be able to pay next month’s rent. Oregon already has one of the highest rates of student homelessness in the country. We cannot force families whose children have been learning remotely to lose stability, internet connection and the ability to keep their education going in the pandemic. 
• Oregon’s renting families have hung on this long. We cannot take away their lifeline now. 
• We promised Oregon renters that they wouldn’t lose their homes during the pandemic. We need to keep that promise and I urge you to pass LC 18. 

Sign with your name and town.

12/16   Email today for Friday hearing: 100% Clean Energy in OR by 204O
Email your State Rep and State Senator before the public hearing on Friday, and urge them to support 100% Clean Energy for All, a proposal for the 2021 Legislative Session. This proposal will transition Oregon to 100% clean electricity—like solar, wind, and geothermal—within the next two decades. Seven states and 210 cities have already made this commitment. Oregon needs a bill with strong labor standards that will prioritize communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis: rural and coastal communities, low-income communities, and communities of color.
 
12/15  Demand Covid Relief Bill
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you and your colleagues in Congress to pass a robust covid relief bill before the end of the year session. Covid is surging while aid is expiring for millions of people and relief is needed yesterday.
The relief bill needs to include:

• money to state and local governments for schools, testing sites, and other public services through the winter;
• extending programs like unemployment insurance and paid leave that are now expiring;
• putting put in people’s pockets;
• funding of necessary covid-related public health measures like testing, contact tracing, workplace safety measures, and free and equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments.

The bill can NOT include Mitch McConnell’s giveaways to big corporations, especially immunity for corporations that knowingly violate public health guidelines and expose their employees to the virus.
 
We need to get the pandemic under control and support people being impacted by the economic crisis. The pandemic isn’t waiting, and neither should Congress. Relief can’t wait.
 
12/12  Say NO to Keystone Climate Disaster
Despite the disapproval of the Keystone XL pipeline project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Alberta, Canada, government recently invested $5 billion to keep the Keystone XL project alive. Motion with this project would derail our progress against climate change and cause detrimental effects to the environment that would affect us all. 
Call on the Alberta and Canadian governments to end their support for this climate-busting, environmentally ruinous project and invest in clean energy immediately! Send this message now. 

12/8 Delay 2021 Budget; Produce Covid Relief NOW
Call/write your 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you and your colleagues to delay the FY2021 budget process and instead pass a 3-month Continuing Resolution, then work night and day to get a strong COVID relief bill through both Houses. The Biden-Harris team have enormous work cut out for them to rejoin the world community, effectively address the health and financial impact of the pandemic, and help recover the country from the abuses of the last four years, and should have input in the FY2021 budget. What is needed from you now is a robust covid relief package, and with great haste. People are suffering all over the country.

12/1 Extend Oregon’s Eviction Moratorium
Please sign this letter urging your OR legislators to take action to extend the eviction moratorium and provide rental assistance for people whose lives have been impacted by COVID-19.

On December 31st - just a few weeks from now -  Oregon’s eviction moratorium will end. People who have been struggling during the COVID crisis could be evicted from their homes in the middle of winter because they are behind on rent through no fault of their own.

When the pandemic hit last Spring, we did the right thing in Oregon by putting a moratorium on evictions so that people wouldn’t lose their homes if they were unable to pay rent. But covid and its downstream impacts are lasting MUCH longer than we thought they would. In fact, the epidemic and economic losses are worsening. The original moratorium will expire at the end of the year, and must be extended.

GA Runoffs: Phones, Letters, Donations!
Phonebanking is what is most wanted by the campaigns. Choose your phonebanking “host(s),” and get started today!

• Fair Fight
• Reclaim Our Vote
• Ossoff campaign
• Warnock campaign

Letter-writing: We’re doing it a little differently for this round. Rather than ICG providing packets, letter-writers will sign up individually at VoteFoward (the letter-writing function of SwingLeft), download their letters and addresses, and stamp and mail their own letters.

• Need envelopes? We have 250 -  email us!
• Need stamps? We can stamp 600 completed letters -  email us!

Donating: Consider supporting #WinBothSeats, an influencer-activist led initiative focused on rapidly raising money for Black and Brown led organizers focused on voter turnout during the Georgia Senate runoffs.

“GA organizers won the state for Biden, and if properly supported, they’ll win it for Ossoff and Warnock as well. Support a vetted group of effective Georgia organizers with one donation! 100% of your donations is passed on to the organizers.”

NOVEMBER
11/18 Help Wanted for GA Runoffs!
DONATE if you can: Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, Stacey Abrams’ FairFight, and see list below.

VOLUNTEER for one or both of the campaigns: 
· the Ossoff campaign wants phonebanking
· the Warnock campaign wants texting and phonebanking

LETTER-WRITING:
We’re doing it a little differently for this round. Rather than ICG providing packets, letter-writers will sign up individually at VoteFoward (the letter-writing function of SwingLeft), download their letters and addresses, and stamp and mail their own letters.
· Need envelopes? We have 250 -  email us!
· Need stamps? We can stamp 600 completed letters -  email us!

11/16   Help Wanted for GA Runoffs!
Georgia flipped blue for Biden this month, the first time since 1992 that a Dem presidential candidate carried the state. Now Dems Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are both in critical runoff races for the US Senate positions in Georgia. The stakes are VERY high - control of the Senate, and thus the effectiveness of the Biden presidency.

The NYT notes that the “crazy” GA runoff system (that winner must have over 50% of total vote, rather than a plurality) is the vestige of segregationist efforts to dilute Black voting power, but states that the combination of demographic and cultural changes and Dem energy may overcome that. We WILL overcome that! We ARE those Dems!

So how to best help with the runoffs?
First, donate if you can: Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, Stacey Abrams’ FairFight .
Then pick one (or both) campaigns and volunteer to do what the campaigns say they want/need most from out-of-state volunteers:

• the Ossoff campaign wants phonebanking
• the Warnock campaign wants texting and phonebanking

What about letter-writing and postcarding?
There are reputable national letter-writing and postcarding groups doing these activities because…that’s what they do. Indivisible National leaders did on-the-ground interviews with GA campaign support groups and the candidates’ campaign leaders, and were told what they need and want from out-of-state volunteers is phonebanking, followed by texting.

Phones, not pens
Soooo, fellow activists, put away your pens (for now) and get out your phones. Give them what they need. Not keen on phonebanking? It’s what’s needed. The stakes are VERY high - control of the Senate, and thus the effectiveness of the Biden presidency. We can do this!

OCTOBER
10/26 We insist: Count. Every. Vote.
Call/write ALL 3 of our federal representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge you to state publicly to your constituents, colleagues, and the press that our election season ends only when all of our votes are counted -- without interference or intimidation -- and to insist that your colleagues join you with similar statements of their own.

Phonebanking for Rep. Anna Williams

• RSVP here for all phonebanking dates (and to see times).
• Phonebanking training: Tuesdays, 2-3pm
• Phonebanking dates: October 27, 31.

10/20
Pivot to natonal phonebanking!
Been saying "I really don't want to do phonebanking" ? Would you reconsider for just 2 weeks if your future was at stake?
Now that our letters are mailed, we're turning our full attention to phonebanking for the last 15 days. Here are some useful links:
     SwingLeft.org/phonebanking
     IndivisibleOR.org/phone-banking

Phonebanking for Rep. Anna Williams

• RSVP here for all phonebanking dates (and to see times).
• Phonebanking training: Tuesdays, 2-3pm
• Phonebanking dates: October 20, 24, 27, 31.

10/14
Count Every Vote
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
For Sens. Merkley and Wyden:
I know the Senator shares my commitment to ensuring that Trump’s efforts to steal this election are not successful.
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator

• to publicly pledge to ensure every vote is counted before election season ends, and
• to publicly insist every MoC go on record pledging to ensure every vote is counted before election season ends, and call out any colleague who doesn't take the pledge.

For Rep. Walden:
I’m calling/writing to insist that Mr. Walden honor the will of the people, as expressed in our vote, and to go on record to protect that vote. I call on him to pledge that Election Season will continue until every vote is counted -- and then to insist his colleagues and the press do the same.

Final stretch! Write Postcards for Anna Williams
Help write the last batch of GOTV postcards for Rep. Anna WIlliams. Email ICGO@ICGOregon.org and Bonnie will have a packet ready for you to pick up in no time! Packet includes 25 spiffy postcards, stamps, instructions with message and addresses. Mailing date is October 21.

10/6
Grassroots Readiness: Please join ICG’s “Phone-Tree”
A tactic used by the Trump faction in one TIP scenario (see Moving Forward, below) involved intentional disruption of the internet. Because of the crippling effect that would have on grassroots organizing and response, Indivisible National and the 80 groups comprising Stand Up America are urging their members to enroll their text-able phone numbers with their organization to enable a local “phone-tree.” ICG members: Please send your name and cell # by email to ICG. It will be kept secure, and will not be shared with other individuals or organizations. If the internet is disrupted, the phone-tree will be our means of communicating and organizing.

Spanish speakers needed NOW for phonebanking to Florida

• Winning Florida is KEY in the presidential race, and Biden is gaining ground!
• Call Spanish-speaking voters in FL and encourage them to sign up for Vote-by-Mail. Training provided.
• Contact Phyllis Brown (phyllisabrown54@gmail.com or 971-226-8392) to get started.

Virtual Postcards-to-Voters Writing Project

• Help advance Dem candidates in key races around the country!
• Instructions here to get started on your own. Supply your own postcards and stamps, or email to request a delivery, online purchase link, or other assistance.

Help with Voter Registration

• Now through Oct 13; Led by League of Women Voters
• Choose among many outdoor events & locations (farmers markets, etc.). Masks and social distancing.
• To help, contact Fran Finney (ffinney@aol.com, 541-354-1112)

SEPTEMBER
9/29
ICG Endorsement Proposals for Your Vote
The ICG Steering Committee unanimously recommends for ICG’s endorsement the following candidates for City of Hood River positions:

• Mayor - Kate McBride (incumbent)
• City Council 1 - Gladys Rivera (incumbent)
• City Council 2 - Megan Saunders (incumbent)
• City Council 3 - Mark Zanmiller (incumbent)

We invite you to cast your vote for or against ICG’s endorsement of each of these four candidates by emailing ICGO@ICGOregon.org before October 6. Your vote will be recorded anonymously.

The ICG Steering Committee unanimously recommends for ICG’s endorsement a YES vote for each of the following state ballot measures:

• Measure 107 Campaign Finance Limits Amendment

Authorizes the state legislature and local governments to (1) enact laws or ordinances limiting campaign contributions and expenditures; (2) require disclosure of contributions and expenditures; and (3) require that political advertisements identify the people or entities that paid for them.

• Measure 108 Tobacco and E-Cigarette Tax Increase for Health Programs Measure

Increases taxes on tobacco products and inhalant delivery systems (such as e-cigarettes) to fund the state's Medical Assistance Program and other healthcare-related programs.

• Measure 109 Psilocybin Mushroom Services Program Initiative

Authorizes the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to create a program to permit licensed service providers to administer psilocybin-producing mushroom and fungi products to individuals 21 years of age or older.

• Measure 110 Drug Decriminalization and Addiction Treatment Initiative

Makes personal non-commercial possession of a controlled substance no more than a Class E violation (max fine of $100 fine), and establishes a drug addiction treatment and recovery program funded in part by the state's marijuana tax revenue and state prison savings.

We invite you to cast your vote for or against ICG’s endorsement of a YES vote for each of these four ballot measures by emailing ICGO@ICGOregon.org before October 6. Your vote will be recorded anonymously.

Spanish speakers needed NOW for phonebanking to Florida!

• Winning Florida is KEY in the presidential race, and Biden is gaining ground!
• Call Spanish-speaking voters in FL and encourage them to sign up for Vote-by-Mail. Training provided.
• Contact Phyllis Brown (phyllisabrown54@gmail.com or 971-226-8392) to get started.

Join our virtual Postcards-to-Voters Writing Team

• Help advance Dem candidates in key races around the country!
• Instructions here to get started on your own. Supply your own postcards and stamps, or email to request a delivery, online purchase link, or other assistance.

Help with Voter Registration

• Now through Oct 13; Led by League of Women Voters
• Choose among many outdoor events & locations (farmers markets, etc.). Masks and social distancing.
• To help, contact Fran Finney (ffinney@aol.com, 541-354-1112)

9/22  What are You Doing to Help?
It’s 6 weeks until what will most likely be the most significant election of our lifetimes. In the midst of your busy life, complicated by covid and kids schooling at home and smoky air and the “the full catastrophe of life,” as Zorba the Greek calls it - what are you doing to help the good guys prevail in this election?

There are lots of options! Check out all the things in the Calendar section above. Donate to fund others’ ICG actions (see donate button at top of this email). Write an LTE about an issue you care about or a candidate you support. Distribute Anna Williams yard signs to your friends and neighbors (email ICG to help). There’s something for everyone, and everyone’s help is critical at this time.

This is no time for onlooking or bystanding. Leave it all on the field.

9/14 HEROES Act Now!
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE
For Sens. Merkley and Wyden:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to insist the Senate pass and Trump sign the HEROES Act prior to any Senate vote on the continuing budget resolution (CR). It is time to force Trump and his Senate to make their stand clear: help the American people by passing the HEROES Act , or continue to hurt us by giving tax breaks to the wealthy in their "stimulus" bills. The CR is the last leverage Democrats have this session. 

For Rep. Walden:
I’m calling/writing to remind you once again that we constituents of yours are suffering. It is up to you to protect us by insisting the Senate pass and Trump sign the HEROES Act prior to any House vote on the continuing resolution.

9/8  Spread the word: You can text FUTURE to 64433 …
… to register to vote, or to check your registration.

9/4  Congress: Fund Food for Kids
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE
I’m calling/writing to urge you to ensure that the next Covid recovery package includes funding to address the food security needs of poor families, and worsening of food insecurity for kids as the school year begin virtually.

Nearly 14 million children nationwide aren’t getting enough to eat. 3 in 10 Black or LatinX students are experiencing hunger, and at higher rates than their white counterparts. In many school districts, including our own, more than 75% of students qualify for free or reduced school meals. Often, two out of three meals that a child eats each day are consumed at school.

I urge you to (1) ensure struggling families stay nourished through free school meals and increased nutrition benefits; (2) give school nutrition operators funding they need to continue feeding kids; and (3) direct the USDA to extend area eligibility waivers for school meals through the 2020-2021 school year.

9/1 Democracy in Peril
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE
For Sens. Merkley & Wyden
I’m calling/writing to urge you to

• Publicly call on McConnell to end the Senate's endless vacations and immediately pass the Justice in Policing, HEROES, Voting Rights Advancement, and Delivering for America Acts.
• Remind the public that the Senate is enabling Trump to undermine our democracy by refusing to act. Then demand DNI Ratcliffe be subpoenaed to testify publicly under oath about why he is stopping briefings about Russian interference in our 2020 election and hold him in contempt if he fails to appear.
• Remind the public that the Senate is enabling Trump's calls for and praise of violence against peaceful protesters by refusing to act. Then demand the Senate investigates domestic terrorism by white supremacist groups, Barr's paramilitary, and their policy sympathizers.

For Rep. Greg Walden
I’m calling/writing to remind you that our democracy is in peril and we are suffering and dying from the pandemic, poverty, and state-sponsored and -encouraged white supremacist violence. I ask you to consider that your refusal to take a stand against Trump and his collaborators as they steal our lives, our votes, and our future not only enables them but also indicates you are one of them.

AUGUST
8/28 Demand Post Office and Covid Recovery Protections
Contact our US Senators Merkley and Wyden.
MESSAGE
I’m writing/calling to urge you to continue to demand the Senate return to session immediately and pass the Delivering for America and HEROES Acts without modifications. So far McConnell has refused to negotiate. It’s absurd that McConnell pretends his proposed trickle-down "economic stimulus" plan is even a viable compromise. He and his minions must be repeatedly called out on their cynical political games.

8/25 Walden’s silence is reprehensible, damaging, insulting
Call/write Rep. Greg Walden.
MESSAGE
I’m writing/calling to invite you back to the world of political involvement and ethics. Trump appointed a crony to dismantle the postal service and then called for his thugs to patrol voting places. His actions not only suppress our vote during a pandemic, but also harm veterans, rural communities, and small businesses. The postal service is a constitutionally-mandated government service, not a for-profit corporation. For you to remain silent in the face of Trump's lawless and autocratic behavior is reprehensible, damaging, and an insult to those you represent.

8/18  #SaveTheUSPS
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE
I’m calling/writing to demand that you as my elected representative work relentlessly to save the USPS from Trump and DeJoy’s destruction. This must include
• prime time hearings investigating the attacks on the USPS
• impeachment of Louis DeJoy
• additional ballot drop boxes, and
• funding and security for safe and robust early voting.

8/14  USPS Board of Governors: PRESSURE POINT TO FIGHT USPS SABOTAGE:
Louis DeJoy, the Postmaster General and Trump appointee who is now dismantling the USPS on behalf of Trump, “serves at the pleasure of” and reports to the 6-member USPS Board of Governors. These six men have the power & duty to #StopDeJoy & prevent Election Day chaos.

5 of the 6 are Trump appointees, but the retired Harvard lawyer (CCJ, @NastyOldWomyn) contributing this info on Twitter is clear that a relentless barrage of calls, emails, and other callings-out will absolutely get their attention. She says:

· I’ve represented Boards as a lawyer, and I know “this kind of attention is not what they’ve signed up for. It’s disruptive to their day jobs, which is where they make their money.”
· “None of the members wants to suffer reputational damage from overseeing the meltdown of USPS during a pandemic. They do NOT want to be in the spotlight, so SHINE IT BRIGHT!”
· “Board members HATE being contacted, HATE having their phone mailboxes fill up with messages, HATE being inundated with emails and letters. And, oh, they would HATE being picketed at work, if someone decided to start a demonstration.”
· In contacting these 6 Board members, “I plan to be polite but firm about my fury about the recent deterioration of USPS’s service, giving personal & family examples regarding medication & veterans services, & expressing my distrust of & dissatisfaction with the performance of PG DeJoy. In my experience, rudeness NEVER helps.

Email each of the 6 USPS Board of Governors.
Tell them who & what you are (a retiree? Veteran?), what you & family rely on the USPS for in this pandemic, how DeJoy’s changes are disrupting that & causing stress. Express worry about Vote-by-Mail.

Their emails: directoraccessmailbox@cigna.com; lee.moak@moakgroup.com; roman@rmiv.com; ron.bloom@brookfield.com; barger.jim@gmail.com; mduncan@inezdepositbank.com.

8/14   Save the Census
Call/write our 2 US Senators.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge you to include funding to finish the census properly in the next covid stimulus bill. Recently the U.S. Census Bureau announced it would be prematurely ending census operations on September 30, 2020, even though disruptions due to Covid-19 have slowed down data collection significantly. The counting date had previously been extended through October 31, 2020.
This is an intentional and transparent plot to sabotage the census and skew Congressional representation, redistricting, and critical funding allotments for every state in the country.

Congress can and should act to protect the census by ensuring sufficient funding in the next covid stimulus package to protect the Census from premature termination. I urge you to insist on protecting the Census in the next version of the stimulus bill.

8/13   More Ballot Boxes in HR County
The only ballot box available for the entire HR valley is on State Street in downtown HR. There are none in Parkdale or Odell. This is an inconvenience for residents there, and actually now a critical problem with Trump’s intentional slowdown of USPS delivery. There’s time to add boxes (and there are some State resources available), but the decision rests with HR County Commissioners and the director of HRC’s Election Division, Brian Beebe. If you are interested in this issue, email them to request more boxes across the County, and ask for an email response.

Email addresses:
County Commissioners - mike.oates@co.hood-river.or.us; Karen.joplin@co.hood-river.or.us; rmcbride@co.hood-river.or.us; bob.benton@co.hood-river.or.us; les.perkins@co.hood-river.or.us
Director Beebe - brian.beebe@co.hood-river.or.us

8/8   Keep Fighting for a Real Senate Covid Relief Package
Call/write our US Senators.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to stay strong in your fight for passing the HEROES Act, the covid-19 relief package. The latest version of the Republican Senate covid bill is full of cruelty to everyday people and gifts to their donors. The final package must have the full CARES unemployment benefit, save the post office, fund vote by mail, provide money for state/local governments, and NOT gut liability laws for employers.
Senator, stay strong. I applaud and appreciate your steadfast dedication in this effort.

8/5 Need Fully Functioning Post Office
Call/write our US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
If you’re a HC provider
I’m calling/writing because I am a [physician/PA/nurse, etc.] and I’m worried about the post office. Many patients get their medications via email, and delay in receiving them can be life-threatening. Seniors and those with chronic conditions are especially affected because they may avoid going outside to pharmacies due to Covid. I urge you to get the post office back to full function immediately.

If you’re a patient
I’m calling/writing because I’m one of millions of people who get their medications by mail, and are threatened with delay in receiving them. Such delays can be life-threatening! Seniors and those with chronic conditions are especially affected because they may avoid going outside to pharmacies due to Covid. I urge you to get the post office back to full function immediately.

8/4 Real Covid Relief Now
Call/write your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
For Merkley & Wyden
I’m sickened by Republican messaging about people not wanting to work if they are given unemployment benefits (UB) OF more than 70% of minimum wage. I’m calling/writing to urge you to reject such racist nonsense, and the GOP’s ongoing ploys to give more money to the wealthy few at the expense of the rest of us. I urge you to insist any Covid relief bill includes:

• $600/week unemployment benefit
• eviction and foreclosure moratorium
• funding for SNAP, the post office, vote by mail, and state, local, and tribal governments
• no liability shield for employers, or a liability shield pegged to current CDC/OSHA recommendations

A bad deal on Covid relief is worse than no deal at all. People’s lives are at stake.

For Walden
The pandemic has wiped out a third of our economy and killed over 150,000 Americans. I urge you to put your constituents’ lives over your party’s attempts to avoid giving a lifeline to people who are truly suffering. Lives are at stake when the unemployment benefit is too little to live on, there’s no eviction moratorium, and employers are shielded from liability for refusing to protect those employees who even have jobs to return to. I am appalled that Trump is undermining the post office when vulnerable people will die without their medicines and take enormous risks voting in person, simply to further suppress voting that does not seem to be going his way. It is up to Republicans like you to stand up for our democracy and for your constituents.

JULY
7/27  Support Americans Hurting from COVID
Call/write your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
For Merkley & Wyden
I’m calling/writing to thank you for pushing for coronavirus relief funding, and to urge you to continue to do so. Trump has intensified the pandemic crisis by pushing states to open while the threat was still high. It is unconscionable that nearly all of the last relief bill went to the top 1%. Working Americans need help now. Please fight for:

• A continuation of the $600 boost to unemployment checks,
• Money for state and local governments, and
• Funds to make voting safer and more reliable, including vote by mail.

I also urge you to oppose McConnell’s liability shield, which will serve to protect businesses that don’t protect their workers. If a liability shield is invoked at all, it should be pegged to strict adherence to current CDC guidelines.

For Walden
I’m calling/writing to urge you to support the HEOES Act in Congress, and to support additional funds for unemployment, for state and local government, and money to make voting more safe and secure.

This pandemic has been intensified by lack of leadership from the federal government. Americans need help to survive this crisis.

7/20  Walden: End Stormtrooper Occupation of Portland
Call/write Rep. Greg Walden  (202) 225-6730
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing with great urgency to demand that Rep. Walden speak out against Trump’s Stormtrooper occupation of Portland, and that he demand their removal immediately. One of his D.C. staffers confirmed that Walden has not yet made any statement about the crisis in Portland, although she noted he “does read the news.” 

In case it hasn’t come across his radar screen yet, let me fill him in. Untrained federal troops of unknown identity have occupied and terrorized Portland for a week. They wear unmarked military camouflage, move through the streets in unmarked vehicles, grab people off of the streets for “questioning,” fire into crowds using munitions that courts have restricted Portland police from using, injure peaceful protesters, and fill the streets with tear gas and pepper spray. 
They are not wanted or needed or welcome here, and have terrorized the entire city with their presence and lawlessness. They’ve been asked to leave by our elected officials, and have refused.  
We have so far heard absolutely ZERO from Mr. Walden, who is allegedly representing us. He has the distinction of being the only federal legislator from Oregon to NOT condemn, or even acknowledge, this egregious abuse of power and threat to our state and our democracy. Please poke him to see if he is still alive, then invite him to stand up and speak out like he gives a damn.

7/13  Sign letter to Gov. Brown to speed up state climate action. Deadline today, 7/13
The Environmental Caucus of the DPO (Dem Party of OR) needs signatures to get DPO Res. 20-007 Regarding Climate-Smart Economic Recovery in front of the Governor. It urges state agencies to take faster action on the Climate Executive Order, rather than waiting until 2022. They should create interim rules and call for budgets to address climate immediately.

Please sign the letter to the Governor now.

7/6  Walden: Support Great American Outdoors Act
Call/write your US Representative, and/or sign onto this request letter.
MESSAGE:
I’m call/writing to urge Rep. Walden to quickly approve the Senate-passed Great American Outdoors (GAO) Act, legislation would use non-taxpayer dollars to address priority repairs within our parks and other public lands over five years. The legislation will also provide dedicated annual funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a tool to ensure access to irreplaceable lands.

Our national parks and public lands are major economic engines for adjacent communities and regions. Park tourism generates over $40 billion in economic output and supports 341,000 jobs. The recreation industry as a whole contributes $778 billion to the national economy and generates 5.2 million American jobs each year. Restoring park infrastructure and ensuring visitor access and safety will help to sustain these jobs and create thousands of new opportunities at a time when job creation is so important for our country.

I ask that Mr. Walden encourage House leadership to schedule a vote on the Senate-passed GAO Act, without amendment, as soon as possible. In the meantime, please co-sponsor the identical, bipartisan House companion bill, H.R. 7092.

JUNE
6/30  Investigate Handling of Russian bounty payments intelligence
Call/write your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to push Congress to immediately investigate the handling of intelligence about Russian bounty payments for dead US soldiers. It is unconscionable that President Trump ignored the reports as far back as last year, allowing U.S. military personnel to be sacrificed to further Trump’s personal objectives. This is treason and MUST be investigated now.

6/25  Make OR fracked gas plants pay for their CO2 pollution
Oregon’s EFSC (Energy Facility Siting Council) has proposed raising the carbon pollution cost of new fracked gas power plants by 50%, the largest allowable increase under current rules. Oregon requires that new fracked gas power plants pay for some of the carbon pollution they generate.

The EFSC needs to hear support for the proposal from us citizens, because industrial concerns related to fracked gas will be vocal opponents. Click here to read more, and to sign the letter of support.

6/22  Policing input, support for special OR legislative session this Wed, 6/24
Oregon is having a rare legislative special session this Wednesday, June 24. The session will focus on two issues: police accountability and state COVID-19 response. Republicans said last week they want the session to deal with the budget, but that is not on the agenda, which means we may have another walk-out on our hands. In addition, three right-wing groups, likely armed, are expected to be intimidating/terrorizing at the Capitol that day. 

Our legislators need to hear from us!

Call/email your state senator and representative, and urge them to support these measures for POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY:
1. Statewide database to prevent rehiring of officers discharged for abusive behavior.
2. Attorney General lead for use-of-force investigations.
3. Require mandatory reporting by officers who observe abusive behavior by other officers.
4. Bans on use of tear gas and military assault practices. 
5. Changes in law enforcement arbitration (HB 1567A, 2020).
6. Outlaw use of chokeholds.

Then show your support by tuning into the special session starting Wed at 8am, from their Facebook live event (here’s the link), or at this Stage Legislature link.

6/21  Extend Renters’ Eviction Moratorium
Call/write your State senator and State representative.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to extend Gov. Brown’s eviction moratorium, set now to end on June 30, and to enact a repayment period. The impact of coronavirus has only gotten worse in the last few months for renters. The Legislature needs to extend the eviction moratorium so more people have a chance to get back to work, to access rent assistance, and prevent a wave of evictions.

Whenever the eviction moratorium does end, renters, particularly those with low incomes, won't just be able to pay any back rent that was due. They may need more time to access rent assistance, or to save up funds once they are back at work. The Legislature should enact a repayment period for six months, to give folks time to pay back any rent that was due during the moratorium.

6/12  Protect our Voting Rights
Call/write our 3 US legislators.
MESSAGE:
For Senators Merkley and Wyden:
I’m calling/writing to thank the Senator for co-sponsoring the Vote Safe Act (S.3725), and to urge him to continue to push his colleagues in the Senate to pass both that and the HEROES Act.

As Georgia’s botched primary election demonstrates, our election systems are at a breaking point. We need immediate action to ensure a free and fair election in November in which all Americans can participate.  The combination of the Vote Safe Act and the HEROES Act will provide the funding necessary for states to begin the arduous tasks of creating new procedures for safe and effective voting and educating voters about how to use them.

For Rep. Walden:
I’m calling/writing to urge Mr. Walden to co-sponsor the Vote Safe Act (HR.6807) and to work for its passage in the House.

As Georgia’s botched primary election demonstrates, our election systems are at a breaking point, and we need immediate action to ensure that November’s election is free and fair and one in which all Americans may fully participate.

The Vote Safe Act will expand voting options while maintaining healthy and safe polling places, and will provide the needed funding to allow states to create new procedures for safe and effective voting.

6/10  Reform streamside logging and pesticide spraying in OR forests
Oregon and its people and salmon suffer from outdated and harmful pesticide spraying and streamside logging practices. A remedy jointly approved by timber industry and conservation organizations was teed up for passage during our recent short legislative session, but was nuked (along with a lot of other important legislation) by the Republican walkout. Gov. Brown has brought it back as a powerful “Timber Pact” MOU, and needs a show of public support to get it passed into law in an upcoming special legislative session.

Read about it here, then sign the letter of support to key legislators.

6/7  Petition to Adopt “Use-of-Force Policies” in Hood River
In the wake of the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor this week, some teens in Hood River County are circulating a petition asking local government and law enforcement agencies to adopt “Use-of-Force Policies.”

The petition is directed to HR City Council, HR County Commissioners, HR Police Department, and HR County Sheriff’s Department, and is intended to ensure the safety and protection of all in our county, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.

Click here to read the specifics of the Use-of-Force Policies and to sign the petition.

6/3  Demilitarize the Police NOW
Call/write our 3 US representatives (Merkley, Wyden, Walden). Contact info below.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to join your Republican and Democrat colleagues in Congress in the push to cut off police access to military-style gear. Our country is convulsing from the excessive use of force by law enforcement (the murder of George Floyd), while Trump is demanding that police use violent, warlike tactics and machinery to counter protestors. Unfortunately police departments nationwide have been outfitted over the years as if their purpose was indeed to wage domestic warfare rather than to maintain the peace, and we’re seeing it being used.

In the 1990s the Defense Department created a program to offload surplus military equipment and aid police departments during the war on drugs (a poor idea in many ways even then). It has allowed the transfer of an incredible arsenal of military weaponry - bayonets, grenade launchers, battering rams, explosives, and tracked armored vehicles (“Army tanks”) - to police forces around the country.

I urge you to get the weapons out of local police departments and turn off the spigot that put them there in the first place. We need neighborhoods, not war zones, and we need police forces that keep the peace, not make war on their citizenry. We need YOU to make this happen.

6/2  Pass HEROES Act in Senate
Call/write our 2 U.S. Senators (Wyden, Merkley). (contact info below)
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to demand that the Senate version of the Heroes Act include protections for workers and uphold legal accountability for businesses. Workers need to be protected from coronavirus exposure in the workplace, and it is the job of the federal government, via OSHA, to ensure that they are.

OSHA established emergency standards during the H1N1 outbreak. It has not done the same for the coronavirus pandemic. As with the CDC, OSHA has issued only voluntary guidelines. And as with the CDC, these derelictions of duty have been at the behest of the Trump administration.

For all the concern with restarting the economy, Congress must ensure that workers, the engines of the economy, are protected in their workplaces.

MAY
5/31  George Floyd Murder: Demand Justice
Four officers participated in the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. So far, only one, Derek Chauvin, has been arrested and charged. The other three were fired from the police force, but have not been arrested or charged.

Call Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman to demand that the other three officers are arrested and charged.
Call: 612-348-5550 M-F 8a-5p CST
Email: citizeninfo@hennepin.us
Facebook: HennepinAttorney
Twitter: @HennepinAtty #JusticeforFloyd

5/29  Protect National Lands, Create Jobs
Call/write our 2 U.S. Senators (Wyden, Merkley).
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to support national parks and other public lands by voting for the Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422) with no weakening amendments. Our national parks and public lands are major economic engines for the communities that neighbor them. The Great American Outdoors Act invests in the restoration of aging park and public land infrastructure, generating infrastructure-related jobs.

With the ongoing disasters of Trump and covid, we need now more than ever a significant and visible effort to preserve our priceless communal assets, our national parks and public lands.

Sign prepared letter: https://act.pewtrusts.org/lhD3cNi?utm_campaign=AA+-+ENV+-+RAP+-+Great+American+Outdoors+Act+Sen+Vote+May+2020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Pew

5/25  Sign IP 57 Petition to End Gerrymandering in OR
Oregon will be redrawing its district boundary maps (“redistricting”) when the 2020 census is completed, a process that recurs every 10 years. We expect to gain a sixth U.S. Congressional seat this time, based on population gains. Nationwide, a huge concern with redistricting is gerrymandering, a practice intended to establish an unfair political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries.

Under current law, Oregon politicians draw the boundaries for their own state and congressional districts, which of course represents an inherent conflict of interest. It allows them to draw districts to serve their interests, not those of our communities - like a fox in charge of a henhouse. We see this in places like Clackamas, Salem and Eugene where gerrymandering has divided each up into multiple oddly shaped districts to protect incumbent legislators.

The OR League of Women Voters and People Not Politicians have launched a statewide signature gathering campaign for IP 57, a ballot measure to create an impartial and fully transparent redistricting process. It will replace the legislator “foxes” managing redistricting with an independent, citizen-led redistricting commission. The commission would be made up of 12 citizens: 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans, and 4 people who are not affiliated with either party.

Help stop gerrymandering in Oregon. Sign the IP57 petition.
It’s easy! Here’s how:

• Visit the People Not Politicians website and read Initiative Petition 57.
• Enter your information to get your petition. (Also available right here.)
• Print, sign and send in your signature sheet via USPS.
• Don’t have a printer?  Email sign@peoplenotpoliticiansoregon.com and they’ll send you a petition sheet in the mail.
  
  

5/20-21  Days of Mourning & Thanks
Across the country, Indivisible groups are observing days of mourning for all those lost to covid (now at almost 100,000). In many areas of the country, groups will include demonstrations against “reopen” terrorists and others driving ill-advised reopening. In OR, we are fortunate that Gov. Kate Brown has adopted a logical, cautious, science-based strategy for reopening. So our mission this week is to

THANK GOV. BROWN for this measured approach designed to protect our health.

Call: (503) 378-4582…3
Online: https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/share-your-opinion.aspx
Snailmail:
Office of the Governor
900 Court Street NE, Suite 254
Salem, OR 97301-4047

5/18
Pass HEROES covid bill in Senate
Call/write our US Senators (Merkley, Wyden).
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to work for the passage of the HEROES Act in the Senate. Passed last week in the House, it’s a much-needed $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill.

The bill provides nearly $1 trillion for the state, local, and tribal governments that are suffering as the lack of tax revenue during this crisis is forcing them to slash social programs from their budgets. It provides direct payments to individuals, hazard pay for essential workers, money for coronavirus testing and contact tracing, unemployment benefits, housing support, student loan forgiveness, and food stamp money. It also provides for universal mail-in ballots, and $25 billion for the United States Postal Service.
​
Both the president and Senate Republicans have vowed to kill the bill, which makes your work even more essential. Every one of the items in the Act is needed and worth fighting for.

Phone Banking for Ballot-by-Mail in Arizona
Reach out to AZ voters and get them signed up for the permanent early ballot so they can receive their ballot by mail.
Click here for the Open Phone Bank.
This is a big deal, and needs our volunteer help. Arizona is one of the 12 target “Super States” for November 2020, and is a bastion of Republican voter suppression.

5/13  Covid $$ Based on Need
Call/write our 3 US representatives (Merkley, Wyden, Walden).
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to insist that your colleagues in Congress provide funding directly to people and states in the next covid response package. I ask that you speak out in support of a relief package that: 

• gives direct aid to state and local governments solely according to their needs 
• keeps people on payrolls 
• provides direct cash assistance, increased food aid, debt relief, and eviction protections to everyone, including those made vulnerable by having been marginalized, based on need. 
• pays for universal access to all COVID-19 care 
• supplies all necessary protection for all frontline workers 
• funds universal vote-by-mail and USPS 
• allows for transparency in the distribution of resources  
• grants individuals, municipalities, and states the right to sue if these requirements are not met. 

5/9  Require Employer Compliance
Call/write our 3 US representatives (Merkley, Wyden, Walden).
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator/Representative to ensure that employers be REQUIRED to follow current CDC’s current coronavirus guidelines to protect their employees at work. The CDC’s coronaviruses guidelines are currently voluntary for businesses. As always happens, some conscientious employers have done a great job in implementing them, but others have not, to the great risk of their employees. Businesses have a duty under OSHA to ensure that workplaces are safe for their employees (OSHA 3021-06R 2017), but to date OSHA hasn’t issued a single citation or fine in the approximately 4,000 COVID-19 related complaints filed by workers for unsafe working conditions. Whether through OSHA enforcement or some other means, it is imperative that we ensure the safety of workers to the full extent possible.
I urge the Senator/Representative to work with his colleagues in Congress to require (and enforce) employers to comply with CDC coronavirus guidelines, for the protection of ALL workers.

5/5  Fund the USPS
Call/write our 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE for Sens. Merkley & Wyden:
I’m furious that Trump and Mnuchin are working to weaken or destroy the Postal Service, which will starve our democracy, cut off the receipt of goods we need to survive, and disenfranchise many Americans. I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator to insist that the next covid response package include:

• full funding for expanded vote-by-mail legislation,
• the billions in emergency funding for the Postal Service contained in HR 6425, the Protect Our Post Offices Act,
• repeal of the requirement making a $10 billion loan to the USPS subject to Treasury’s approval,
• the USPS Fairness Act (HR 2382), repealing the pension prefunding requirement, and
• guaranteed legislative oversight of all appropriated funds.

MESSAGE for Rep. Walden:
I’m calling/writing to demand that Greg Walden oppose all attempts to privatize the Postal Service and to limit voting by mail in any way. It is a moral imperative that he act to prevent harming his rural constituents. I urge Mr. Walden to insist that the next covid spending package includes:

• full funding for vote-by-mail,
• the billions in emergency funding for the Postal Service contained in HR 6425, and 
• guaranteed legislative oversight of all funds appropriated by Congress .

5/4  Protect Every Worker
Call/write our 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge [Sen. Merkley / Sen. Wyden / Rep. Walden] to insist on protection of our front-line low-income workers. Low income employees work in essential jobs like retail, transportation and food production and are disproportionately exposed to coronavirus in their work settings. Many are not being protected by their employers, and OSHA is not stepping in to ensure their safety.

Trump and others continue to push for businesses to reopen regardless of risk to employees. It’s up to Congress to ensure that people are not forced to continue to work in conditions unsafe for them and their families.
  
I urge [Sen. Merkley / Sen. Wyden / Rep. Walden] to actively support Every Worker Protection Act to establish workplace coronavirus safeguards for all workers. 

APRIL
4/27  Insist on Science-Based Reopening Strategy
Read and use: https://medium.com/@amber.j.keyser/a-science-based-strategy-to-lift-stay-at-home-orders-in-small-to-mid-sized-communities-33db644b6ed0
There are Repub-funded armed protests planned for Salem this week to force “reopen” decisions based on politics and intimidation. This EXCELLENT short article, written for the non-medical-professional, is spot-on in terms of public health strategy. This is a good resource to offer to city councilors, county commissioners, and state officials (state senator, rep, and governor) who are/will be making "reopening" decisions.
Locally, the HR County Commission is set to address “reopening” at their upcoming meeting. Email/recommend this to them (mike.oates@co.hood-river.or.us ; Karen.joplin@co.hood-river.or.us ; rmcbride@co.hood-river.or.us ; bob.benton@co.hood-river.or.us ; les.perkins@co.hood-river.or.us).

4/27  People’s Agenda Pledge - A much-needed 4-fer ask today
Sens. Merkley & Wyden are on board. Walden (of course) needs to hear from us.
Use the tools below to: 1.Take the pledge. 2. Call Walden. 3. Write Walden. 4. Tweet Walden.
Mitch McConnell led the push for Covid packages that disproportionately gifted rich people and big business, and “small business loan programs” that funded Ruth’s Chris Steak House while shutting out mom and pop stores. It’s time to tell our Senators and Congresspersons: take care of just “regular” folks.
We need all members of Congress to draw a clear line in the sand and take the People’s Agenda pledge to vote no on the next Covid package unless at the very least it includes 4 components:

1. Keep people on payrolls.
2. Provide financial relief for PEOPLE, not just corporations.
3. Protect public health.
4. Defend democracy with national vote-by-mail and election security support.

And ensure that all of these protections extend to every person in this country, regardless of immigration status, age, or disability.

So here’s what to do right now:

• Take the pledge yourself at www.PeoplesAgendaPledge.org .
• Make a call to your member of Congress T-O-D-A-Y and ask them to take the pledge to vote no on the next package unless it does these four things mentioned above.
• When you’ve hung up the phone, follow up with an email to your representative demanding that they take the pledge and tell them you’re paying attention.
• Email sent? Use this tool to tweet at them for good measure (we’re hearing right now that social media is a more effective tool to engage with your members of Congress than usual because of remote working and social distancing).
• Finally, make your voice heard by recording a video. Say your name, where you’re from, and that you demand your representative take the People’s Agenda Pledge to vote no on the next coronavirus package unless it means real relief for all people. Upload it to social and tag them!
  
  

4/25  Covid Bonu$e$ for the Wealthy - SHAME!
Call/write your US Senators and Rep.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to express my disgust at the feds wasting MY tax money on giveaways to the wealthy and large companies - AGAIN - and to urge you to say NO to any further support packages that do not focus entirely on

• Keeping people on payrolls,
• Providing financial relief for low- and middle-income PEOPLE,
• Protecting public health, and
• Defending democracy with national vote-by-mail and election security support.

​The federal government has dispensed trillions of dollars to bolster the economy, under the guise of helping small businesses and out-of-work individuals. But tucked into the bills are $174 billion in tax breaks for rich individuals and large companies.

Many of the breaks apply to taxes that lobbyists have been pushing against for years. A few egregious examples include (1) companies with at least $25 million in annual receipts now get increased deductions on the interest they pay on large quantities of debt, and (2) households earning at least $500,000 a year — the top 1 percent of American taxpayers — can now deduct even more of their businesses’ losses from stock market gains, sharply reducing what they owe in capital gains taxes.

The Trump administration and Congress both should be ashamed of these sorry, self-serving, inhumane actions, especially in the face of crisis and suffering. I am thoroughly ashamed of them. I urge you to act in the best interest of those who are needing and suffering, or get the **** out of the way.

4/22  Covid $$, USPS, Vote-by-Mail, Oversight
Call/write your US Senators and Representative. 
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Senator Merkley/Wyden [Rep. Walden] to move ahead boldly with three actions that are all critically needed at this time:
1. Introduce Senate legislation compatible with the House’s Emergency Money for the People Act. [for Representative: Support the Emergency Money for the People Act in the House.] We must put covid funds in the hands of the people so they can stay in their homes, keep the lights on, put food on the table, and access medical care.
2. Fully fund the USPS and vote-by-mail.
3. Insist on robust legislative oversight to ensure the administration uses the money the way the law intends.

4/16  Covid Rescue Funds - Vote-by-Mail & Guaranteed Oversight
Call your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge the [Senator/Representative] to refuse unanimous consent for another spending package that doesn’t feature funding for vote-by-mail and for guaranteed legislative oversight of all funds appropriated by Congress. NO MORE FUNDING AND TAX BREAKS FOR THE WEALTHY. NO MORE VOTER SUPPRESSION by in-person voting during the pandemic.

4/14  Covid Rescue Funds - Another Tax Scam
Call your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge the [Senator/Representative] to demand that the next coronavirus financial rescue package focus ENTIRELY on providing economic relief directly to low- and middle-income individuals, and on funding protections of our democratic processes, including vote-by-mail and other election protections.

We’ve now learned through the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation that more than 80% of the benefits of a tax change that Senate Republican sneaked into the recent covid support legislation will go to those who earn more than $1 million annually. The sneaked clause suspends a limitation on how much owners of businesses formed as “pass-through” entities can deduct against their nonbusiness income, such as capital gains, to reduce their tax liability.

The move will cost us taxpayers about $90 billion in 2020 alone, and is part of a millionaire-supporting set of tax changes that will add close to $170 billion to the national deficit over the next 10 years.

I’m angry and ashamed that the Republican vultures are still feathering their own nests, even at a time of widespread crisis, and shunting much needed relief funds to their wealthy supporters. I urge you as my elected representative to make sure covid support stops funding the wealthy, and exclusively funds low- and middle-income individuals.

4/8
DEMAND National Vote-by-Mail
Call your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to demand that the Senator/Representative move quickly to pass national vote-by-mail as part of the ongoing pandemic planning and funding. The debacle in Wisconsin yesterday disenfranchised tens of thousands of voters, disproportionately affecting people of color (as intended by the Republicans and the Republican Supreme Court) and exposed voters and poll workers alike to enhanced risk of coronavirus exposure. This enhanced risk overall in communities all over the state.
We need national vote-by-mail put in place immediately, to save our lives and to save our democracy. [For Walden: Is that something that rings a bell at all with Mr. Walden?]

Sign up to contact non-affiliated voters in Oregon
There’s a new “Be A Primary Voter” project in Oregon to help non-affiliated voters register as Dems so they have the right to vote in the primary. It’s sponsored by Democratic Party of Oregon, Multnomah County Democrats, and DemCast Oregon. Sign up to contact voters by post card, phone or text.

Write SwingLeft Letters ANYTIME at Home

• Request and pick up a prepared packet of letters and envelopes, or download and print your own.
• $16.25 donation requested to cover packet ($2.75) & postage ($13.50).

Fund a Letter-Writer
Many volunteers are doing the heavy lifting of writing our thousands of letters, but not all can also cover their packet costs. We need contributions to keep this work going. Can you help, please? $25? $50? $100?

MARCH
3/31 Pass Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act
Call your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to insist that US Senators and Reps return to D.C. and push hard to pass Sen. Chris Murphy’s Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act to massively improve our coronavirus response capabilities. The bill will order the feds to take over and speed up the manufacturing of medical supplies, including protective equipment, ventilators, testing kits, etc.) and ensure that they are distributed fairly.
The first rule of emergency response is to protect the rescuers. The government has left our front-line health care workers hanging out to dry with insufficient protection, risking their lives to protect us. And our friends and families are falling sick without sufficient equipment to diagnose and treat them.

We need the Medical Supply Chain Emergency Act yesterday (actually many weeks ago). Please get your colleagues back to DC and get it done, for everyone’s sake.

3/25 Bar Barr’s Imprisonment Spree
Call your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator/Representative to oppose Attorney General Barr’s request to indefinitely imprison anyone he chooses. Barr has asked Congress to allow chief judges to indefinitely hold people without trial and suspend other constitutionally protected rights during the coronavirus and other emergencies. Forfeiting our Constitutional rights and increasing already overcrowded prison populations don’t address the pandemic and would only worsen its impact. I also ask that the Senator/Representative push for covid testing of every prisoner released into the community, and for access to social distancing and protective hygiene for those left inside.

3/25 National Vote-by-Mail Legislation
Call your US Senators and Representative.
MESSAGE:
For Wyden and Merkley
I’m calling/writing to thank the Senator for his support of the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act, to expand vote-by-mail and modify no-excuse absentee voting. I want to urge that the bill allow mailed ballots for all voters, not just those who ask for them, and that funding for vote-by-mail be included in Congress’s pandemic response planning.
For Walden
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to support the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act, to expand vote-by-mail and modify no-excuse absentee voting. I want to urge that the bill allow mailed ballots for all voters, not just those who ask for them, and that funding for vote-by-mail be included in Congress’s pandemic response planning.

3/22 Undo Wisconsin Gerrymandering
SwingLeft is organizing phonebanking for Wisconsin's April 7th election for Supreme Court.  Sign up here, and you'll receive an email with training resources.  This race is key to un-doing gerrymandering in Wisconsin.

3/17 Pass Wyden’s Vote-by-Mail Legislation
Call your US Senators and Representative. (contact info below)
MESSAGE:
For Sen. Wyden
I’m calling/writing to thank Sen. Wyden for introducing legislation to give everyone the option to vote-by-mail. I encourage him to keep up the pressure to press for its prompt passage. The rest of the country needs time to set up for it and be ready to implement for the November elections.
I’m very concerned that Trump will use the pandemic to tamper with or derail the November election - quite possible, and right up his alley. This legislation would help with that as well.
For Sen. Merkley
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator to be vocal in support of Sen. Wyden’s vote-by-mail legislation, pointing to how well and safely it serves Oregonians. I encourage him to press hard for its prompt passage. The rest of the country needs time to set up for it and be ready to implement for the November elections.
I’m very concerned that Trump will use the pandemic to tamper with or derail the November election - quite possible, and right up his alley. This legislation would help with that as well.
For Rep. Walden
I’m calling/writing to demand that Rep. Walden support the House version of Senator Wyden’s national vote-by-mail legislation. No one should have to choose between their health and their right to vote. Please protect safe and healthy voting for all Americans.

3/7  Legislators: Pay us back!
If we don’t go to work, we don’t get paid. Neither should our elected officials. Hold Oregon’s Republican lawmakers accountable. We’re calling on OR Repub legislators who walked out to give back the paychecks and daily stipends they didn't earn when they stopped showing up to work. Sign the petition today!

3/6 Legislators: Remove Snake River Dams
The Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies in charge of the Columbia and Snake river dams are still claiming that salmon and orcas are just fine and the lower four Snake River dams don’t hurt fish. But years of scientific study have proved that is not true, and momentum for removal of the dams is building.
A 2018 study showed not only that dam removal would save the salmon and orcas, but that it can be done without breaking the bank or forcing us back to using dirty fossil fuels.
We need to call on our legislators to support legislation to remove Snake River dams, modernize our energy system, and reinvest in river communities.
Click here to send our congressional leaders this important message.
https://www.columbiariverkeeper.org/take-action-orcas?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=d0e545fe-d21b-4c6f-aaf8-c72a245b5221

Too short on time this week to take all actions above? DONATE HERE!
It will cost over $4200 to meet our goal of sending out 6500 SwingLeft voter registration/engagement letters (stamps, printing, envelopes)! We’re well on the way, having completed over 2000 letters.
Donating is quick, easy, painless - AND you’ll earn a virtual gold star on your virtual collar, as well as our sincere thanks.

3/3  Walkout for Corporate Interests
Call/write your Republican state rep and/or state senator.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling with a very short and clear message for Sen. Chuck Thomsen - GET BACK TO WORK. You are my employee and you are not doing your job. By walking out, you and your Republican “legislator” friends have left all of Oregon in the lurch. There is so much important work that has now ground to a halt - including items to help our rural district.
You all have turned your backs on program initiatives and funding for

• flood recovery in the Pendleton area,
• mental health care,
• homeless shelters (including our warming shelter right here in Thomsen’s district - thanks, Chuck),
• child abuse prevention and treatment,
• search and rescue through county sheriffs’ offices (including our S&R funding crisis right here around Mt. Hood - thanks, Chuck),
• wildfire management (like the 2017 wildfire fire that came 6 miles from my front door - thanks, Chuck)
• NORCOR services (yes, again, our issue - thanks, Chuck).

How can you say you have the interests of rural communities in mind? Look at the list above. You’re HURTING me and others in rural communities. Looks to me like you all are serving corporate polluter interests, not rural communities.

FEBRUARY
2/24  Kill this Harmful Boondoggle
Call your state senator and state representative.
MESSAGE
I’m calling/writing to urge the [Senator/Representative] to enact House Bill 4010, disconnecting Oregon from Trump’s “Opportunity Zones” program.

The 2017 Trump tax scheme created “Opportunity Zones (OZs),” which is quite the boondoggle for wealthy investors. Without HB 4010, OZs will become very harmful for Oregon, funneling our tax money to the wealthy, as Trump intended.

The OZ program creates tax cuts on capital gains income benefiting investors who park their money in geographic areas designated as “Opportunity Zones.” Since Oregon automatically connects to parts of the federal tax code, OR will have to pay out our own state version of this tax subsidy. This means Oregon taxpayers dollars going to pay for tax breaks for wealthy investors. No thank you!

I strongly urge the [Senator/Rep] to support HB 4010 in order to disconnect Oregon from the federal “Opportunity Zones’ program. Don’t use our tax dollars to subsidize wealthy investors!

2/17  Legislators: Three OR Bills to Support
Call/write your State Rep & State Senator.
The Oregon Indivisible Network has been working on 3 important bills below that now need our individual support to our legislators. FYI, here’s background info on each - Climate here, Gun Storage here, Opportunity zone here.
Message:
I’m writing to urge the [Senator, Rep] to support these 3 bills that are important to me -

• The Climate Bill - SB1530A. We are in a climate crisis and can NOT delay any further in addressing it.
• The Gun Storage Bill - HB4005. The carnage must stop! Children shooting children while “playing” should NEVER happen.
• The Opportunity Zone Bill - HB4010. This bill would disconnect the Oregon tax code from Trump’s federal “Opportunity Zone” tax provisions that will otherwise give Oregon tax revenue away to the very wealthy. That is not where my tax money should go!

I ask that the [Senator/Rep] give his/her YES vote to these three bills which will make our state a better place for all of us.

2/11  Secure the Election
Call your US Senators.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator to pressure his/her Senate colleagues to act now to secure our elections.
Trump’s successful coverup and “acquittal” have emboldened him and his supporters to embrace foreign influence even more, and publicly! Yesterday AG Barr said, “The Justice Department’s door is open if President Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, wants to pass along information from Ukraine connected with Joe Biden and his family.”
Congress must step up. We Americans demand that Congress secure the election. I urge the Senator to keep pushing for the Senate to pass the election security measures passed in the House, and to require hand-marked paper ballots.

2/10   Walden: Support Climate Bill HR 5221
Call/write your US Rep.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to support HR 5221, the 100% Clean Economy Act. It is now in front of your committee (House Committee on Energy and Commerce), so your support is especially valuable now.

We’re already in a climate crisis, and dealing with the effects already on a daily basis. We desperately need to begin transforming our economy to reduce CO2 emissions, and I’m counting on you to push for decisive action in Congress.

It isn't just the science that is compelling on the subject of responding to the climate crisis. Clean energy has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the American economy, and by going all in on this energy transition, we will create new jobs, new industries, and a cleaner, healthier environment for all Americans.

I strongly urge Rep. Walden to support the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 and accelerate our transition to a safe, clean economy that will benefit us all.

2/7  Pass ERA - Finally!!!!!
Call/write your US Rep.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to STRONGLY urge you to vote YES for H.J. Res. 79 and remove the ERA’s ratification deadline so that the ERA becomes law. 

Yes, women continue to face discrimination on the basis of sex. We see lots of symptoms, but now a constitutional treatment is within reach. Virginia recently became the 38th state to ratify the ERA, crossing the three-fourths threshold of support required of states for the amendment to become law.  

When the ERA passed Congress in 1972, lawmakers attached a 1977 ratification deadline to it, which they later extended to 1982. Removing that deadline is the final obstacle to accepting the ERA as part of the US Constitution. HJ Res. 79 will do that, and as [a woman and] your constituent, I expect your support of it.


2/5  OR Safe Gun Storage Bill
This session, OR lawmakers are considering a secure storage bill — one that would require firearms to be stored safely. Safe storage measures are proven to reduce accidental injuries and deaths by firearm, and the number of firearm suicides. Responsible gun owners understand that safe storage does not impinge on their rights to gun ownership.

No more children shooting children while “playing.”

Please take 7.2 seconds to push your legislators - Click here:
https://act.everytown.org/sign/OR-SessionOpen-2020/?akid=256445.2112074.1H9CVL&rd=1&refcode=emme_OR-OpeningDay-20200203&source=emme_OR-OpeningDay-20200203&t=9&utm_campaign=OR-OpeningDay-20200203&utm_medium=e&utm_source=emme_OR-OpeningDay-20200203
​
2/4   Senator, No Walking Out
YES, they’re threatening it again! Call your Republican state senator. 
MESSAGE:
I’m calling writing to welcome Sen. [Thomsen] to Oregon’s short legislative session of 35 days, and to encourage him to make it a full and productive session. There are many important bills for the legislators to work through. We are all expecting all of our Senators to stay in place and do the work of the positions for which they were elected. 
 
When Mr. [Thomsen] and his colleagues walked out last year, they betrayed a public trust to do the work of governing, discussing, negotiating, and doing the best they can for their constituents. I want to be completely clear we expect better this year.
​
JANUARY
1/23  Senators: Keep pressing for fair trial
Our Oregon Senators have shown tremendous courage and leadership, but they need to know how strongly we support them now more than ever. Calls from both sides of this issue are flooding Senators' offices around the country, and we can't afford to be complacent.

CALL today: Sen. Merkley 503- 326-3386 • Sen. Wyden 503-326-7525
MESSAGE:
We need Congress to hold this administration accountable for its lies. So far this is not a trial, it is a cover-up. I ask the Senator to keep insisting on a fair Senate trial with documents, witnesses, and full press access.

1/24 AGAIN, today: Demand Strong Climate Bill in OR
A quick click here, please, and sign to push your OR state senator and state rep for climate legislation. Legislation-building has already started; short session begins Feb 3.

Oregon alone emits more carbon pollution than 116 countries around the world who have committed to reducing emissions. Wildfires in Oregon, California, and Australia are horrible proof of what we all know: if we don’t take action now, our future is at risk.

Oregon lawmakers are working on a climate bill that will be ready to go next month. They need to hear from us that the climate crisis is our high priority and that we expect them to champion and vote for bold climate action.

https://reneworegon.good.do/ActOnClimateOr/EmailNow/


1/21 More voices needed: Climate action NOW, Oregon
Renew Oregon is asking for our IMMEDIATE HELP to counteract a barrage of email “testimony” from opponents of climate legislation. Numbers do count.

PLEASE take 1-minute to email a 2-sentence message for inclusion in the public record:
1. Email to: senr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov
2. Email subject: SB 1530
3. Sentence 1 - State your position:  "I support a strong cap and invest policy" or "I support SB 1530 with improvements for climate" or "I support strong climate legislation for Oregon's future"
4. Sentence 2 - Say who you are and why you care: "I am a (parent, grandparent, high school student, rural Oregonian, small business owner...) and I am terrified of the climate crisis, etc."
5. Sign with your name and location (recommended: city + zip rather than full address, as all testimony is public).
6. SEND.

1/19   Press for OR Climate Change Bill
The current version of the Clean Energy Jobs bill is Senate Bill 1530. It’s being attacked hard by corporate polluters, as we expected, and by opposing groups like “Timber Unity.”
 
Supporters of climate change legislation are being asked by OLCV and others to submit testimony to the legislative committee in support of a stronger Clean Energy Jobs bill!

Please do, by clicking here!
https://act.myngp.com/Forms/7682860588828983296?midqs=vXZdnQjnUh59nSsn2SIHGA==


1/15   Senators: Rein in the WarMonger in Chief
Call/write your 2 US Senators.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge the Senator to push his Senate colleagues to limit Trump’s use of war powers. Last week the House passed a resolution to limit his war powers against Iran. The measure, which does not carry the force of law, said Trump should withdraw U.S. forces from conflict with Iran within 30 days if he does not get congressional approval. I urge the Senator to push for the same, or even a stronger version, in the Senate.
We do not want war with Iran, and we most definitely do not want this rogue crackpot of a president to create or fan any more war flames.

1/13 Thomsen: Climate Action Now
You may have heard that OR Senate Repubs are considering another walk-out this upcoming short legislative session (Feb 3 - Mar 6) to avoid climate legislation. They are currently considering several HB2020-like bills and need to hear from us. OR Indivisibles suggest a strategy of ongoing, intense communication and LTEs that is constructive and urging, not inflammatory or accusatory. (Don’t want to make the snake mad.)

Please, write/call your or State Senator today and often in the next 4 weeks! (contact info above)

Sen. Thomsen,
I’m calling/writing to urge you to make climate protection legislation a priority this legislative session. Oregon hasn’t passed a major climate bill in the last four years, but the effects of climate change are hurting us more and more. We routinely have destruction and unbreathable air from wildfires, drought affecting our farmers and food sources, and ocean warming and acidification affecting our fisherman and fish stocks. We need action from the legislature. We can not afford to let polluters and fossil fuel interests off the hook.

Scientists the world over agree we have 10 years, only 10 years, to cut climate pollution in half. I urge you to please make real climate action happen this short session.

1/6   Walden, Raise Your Voice
Call/write Rep. Greg Walden
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to condemn Trump’s assassination of Gen. Qassim Suleimani of Iran, and to work to head off war with Iran. I saw Walden’s statement on the assassination and am shocked that he failed to call out Trump’s utter lack foreign policy, lack of planning, lack of diplomacy, lack of consultation, and the incredible isolation of and danger to the U.S. that Trump has created.

Trump ordered the assassination without having a plan, without considering the safety of our troops overseas, without consulting our allies, and without consulting Congress. This is the act of an irrational, impulsive, angry, fearful, erratic, dangerous man. There’s no evidence there was any “imminent threat” from Iran or Gen. Qassim. Its more likely motivation is to divert the attention of Americans from Trump’s impeachment and upcoming trial.

Trump has brought us to the brink of war. Iran has pulled out of an already fragile nuclear agreement and kicked American diplomats out of the country. Hundreds of thousands are demonstrating in the streets in Iran and chanting “Death to America.”

Walden needs to speak out loudly to condemn this strike and oppose to war with Iran. If not now, when? Wimpy words of acquiescence will not do.

1/3  URGENT: Reps to Condemn Iran Strike, Avoid War
Call your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to demand that you, as my representative, rein in Trump’s catastrophic escalation to war with Iran.

Last night, Trump ordered the assassination of Gen. Qassim Suleimani, a top commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps. This would be equivalent to a foreign government assassinating our Vice President outside the Toronto airport. 

This was NOT a defensive action, and comes at a time of escalating tension with Iran. We need skilled diplomacy with Iran, not an isolated, erratic nut with a trigger.

The US Constitution gives Congress the power to decide on war, but in recent years Congress has ceded authority over the military to the Executive Branch.

Congress is a co-equal branch of government that holds tremendous power to check Trump’s recklessness. You and all your colleagues must step in immediately. I urge you to clearly and unequivocally state that you condemn this strike and are opposed to war with Iran. We are on the precipice of war, and Congress may be our only hope of stopping it. 

​2019

DECEMBER

12/23     Demand Clean Energy Legislation for OR this Session
Call/write your 2 state representatives.

After the debacle last state legislative session of Republican senators walking out instead of working on our clean energy needs, we need ALL of our state reps ready to show up on and produce on clean energy this short session beginning Feb. 3.

There is talk already of a possible repeat walkout or other avoidance tactic, despite the urgent need for us as a state to address climate change. Our legislators, ALL of them, need to hear this clear MESSAGE:

I’m calling/writing to tell you, as you constituent, that I expect you and your Oregon legislative colleagues to produce robust legislation to address climate change this legislative session. Our homes and livelihoods are already threatened. Our children and grandchildren are rightfully fearful for their futures. Further inaction in absolutely unacceptable. I urge you to commit to a year, no later than 2050, for full transition to a clean energy economy in Oregon, with a clear implementation plan and enforceable benchmarks along the way.

12/16   Oppose New Rules for Energy Facilities (deadline 12/19)
Oregon's Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) has proposed rule revisions that reduce opportunities for public participation in the siting decisions for energy facilities in the state. This could allow EFSC to locate a fracked gas power plant in Boardman and then use the plant as an excuse to develop pipelines to feed it. NOT what we want here in OR! Click to sign a letter of opposition to these rule changes:
https://us9.campaign-archive.com/?e=%5bUNIQID%5d&u=db90f2927cb51e80dca6a09d2&id=fd5858b5f1

12/13   URGENT REQUEST: Calls Urging Impeachment Needed
Call your 3 federal representatives. (contact info above)

There’s news from Congressional staffers that offices are being deluged with right-wing anti-impeachment calls. Some moderate Dems may be waffling on their position. Please call our reps!

MESSAGE
I’m calling/writing to give you this clear message about impeachment: I want you as my elected representative to support impeachment and removal of Trump. His many obstructions of Congress’ investigation and his abuse of power in bribing the Ukraine are unacceptable. His actions create a danger to our country. Please support impeachment and removal from office.

12/11   Cut ICE and CPB $$ in 2020 Budget
Call your 3 federal representatives.

MESSAGE
I’m calling/writing to urge you, as my elected representative, to ensure that funding for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) is slashed in the 2020 budget process. 

Trump has stolen over $10 BILLION (BILLION!!) from other agencies’ budgets this past year alone to fund his border wall and hateful treatment of detainees. DHS has also shuffled hundreds of millions of dollars from agencies it controls to pay for more detention beds, even though Congress specifically limited the number of people who could be detained.

ENOUGH. I want Mr. [Merkley/Wyden/Walden] to ensure that Congress cuts ICE, CBP, and DHS funding in 2020, and applies tighter controls on how the money they do get can be spent.

12/2   Enforce Subpoenas
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE
For Merkley & Wyden:
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator to persuade his Senate colleagues to insist that all subpoenaed witnesses testify and that potentially impeachable crimes beyond Trump’s dealings with Ukraine be investigated.

For Walden:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to support compelling everyone subpoenaed to show up as directed, regardless of Trump’s directive not to, and to tell Congress what they know.

I am very concerned that I am not hearing anything from Mr. Walden about the clear confirmation by the impeachment inquiry that Trump has broken the law, nor about Trump’s ongoing obstruction of the investigation. He is neglecting his oath of office which requires him to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.

I urge Mr. Walden to support a full and unobstructed impeachment inquiry, insist that subpoenaed witnesses testify, and insist that every thread identified by the Mueller report and congressional testimony is followed wherever it leads.

NOVEMBER
11/26   Act for Lower Drug Costs NOW
Call/write Rep. Greg Walden.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to support and improve H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which would allow the federal government to directly negotiate lower prices with private companies in Medicare’s prescription drug program. These features of the bill that need to be strengthened before it reaches the House floor in mid-December:

• include people without insurance coverage, 
• negotiate prices on more drugs, and 
• protect patients from high launch prices and price spikes.

Mr. Walden’s assertion in his recent news release that controlling drug costs by negotiating prices “will drive out innovation and result in fewer cures” is a view bought and paid for by the pharmaceutical industry’s “donations” to Mr. Walden and his Republican colleagues. It is a slap in the face for Walden’s constituents whose “cures” are already compromised because they can’t afford their meds.

I urge Mr. Walden to act on his constituents’ behalf rather than his Big Pharma “donors,” and support and improve HR 3.

11/18 Call Out Witness Intimidation
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
For Merkley & Wyden:
Trump’s smearing of Maria Yovanovitch on Twitter during her testimony is witness intimidation. As Adam Schiff said, “Some of us take witness intimidation seriously.” Trump’s witness intimidation is illegal, an abuse of power, and another impeachable offense. I urge the Senator to continue to point out this and ALL of Trump’s impeachable offenses.

For Walden:
Trump’s smearing of Maria Yovanovitch on Twitter during her testimony is witness intimidation. As Adam Schiff said, “Some of us take witness intimidation seriously.” Trump’s witness intimidation is illegal, an abuse of power, and another impeachable offense.

I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to use whatever remains of his voice and integrity to denounce the actions of this incompetent, corrupt, traitorous president, and call for his impeachment. Walden may not be running for reelection, but he still has a sworn duty to protect this country, and so far it’s unfulfilled.

11/12   Support for our Public Lands
Call/write Rep. Greg Walden.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to thank you for supporting national parks by co-sponsoring HR 1225, the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act. This bipartisan legislation is a breath of fresh air in Congress at this time, and much needed to restore and protect our national parks.

National parks and public lands preserve our history and natural resources. They also support local economies that depend on park tourism.
Please urge House leadership to schedule a floor vote on HR 1225 as soon as possible.

11/5  
​Secure our Elections and Support Impeachment
For Wyden:
Thank you for your public support for the impeachment inquiry. Today, I am asking for your help to protect our elections. I strongly support your PAVE Act, and I agree with you that McConnell’s $250 million for election security is a “joke.” Please fight for the targeted $600 million the House passed. And continue to challenge Facebook’s microtargeting, which you brought to our attention. Thank you.

For Merkley:
Thank you for your public support for the impeachment inquiry. Today, I am asking for your help to protect our elections. I strongly support the PAVE Act and other election security measures. Please fight for the targeted $600 million the House passed. And challenge Facebook’s unethical role in our elections. Thank you.

For Walden:  
No matter what your allegiance is to your Party and to the President, I would hope you believe that our elections must be fair. Please challenge Facebook's unethical role in our elections, and support election security measures as well as the impeachment process. 
 
Support Congressional Representation for all Americans
For Walden and Wyden (OR) or Buetler and Cantwell (WA):
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling to encourage [NAME] to co-sponsor legislation that would give DC residents a voice in Congress. Every tax-paying citizen should have the right to elect people to represent their values. Can I count on [NAME] to support H.R. 51/S. 631? Thank you. [If not, inquire about reasoning.]

For Merkley (OR) or Murray (WA):
Script: Hi. I’m from [ZIP], calling to thank [NAME] for co-sponsoring legislation that would give DC residents a voice in Congress. Every tax-paying citizen should have the right to elect people to represent their values. Thank you for co-sponsoring S. 631, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act

OCTOBER
10/30   Press for Senate Consideration of House-Passed Legislation, & Expose "Do Nothing" GOP Senate Leadership
Call/write our two senators.
MESSAGE
I'm calling/writing to thank the Senator for everything he has done to try to force Senate consideration of the House's ground-breaking legislation that significantly improves lives and protects our democracy.

House Dems have simultaneously investigated Trump and his administration’s misconduct and rapidly passed ground-breaking legislation to improve lives and protect democracy, including: 

• campaign finance reform; modernizing/securing election systems
• meaningful gun reform
• $15 minimum wage; wage discrimination; retirement reform
• protect Dreamers, immigrants in custody; increase immigration caps
• lower drug prices; protect preexisting conditions; condemn anti-ACA lawsuit
• enhanced consumer protection
• blocked withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement
• reauthorized VAWA
• net neutrality
• LGBTQ protections 
• Limiting money laundering

Please thank the Senator for everything he has done to try to force Senate consideration of these ground-breaking bills. More is needed, however. He must continue to work with colleagues to bring as many of these pieces of legislation to the Senate floor and, every time Mitch McConnell blocks or kills a bill, he must use his bully pulpit to expose him and the “Do Nothing” Senate Republicans for what they are. Thank you. 

10/29   Walden: On Your Way Out, Support Impeachment
Call/write Rep. Greg Walden.
MESSAGE
Because Mr. Walden plans to retire at the end of his term, I'm calling/writing to urge him to salvage his legacy and support the impeachment inquiry.

Mr. Walden's decision to leave office at the end of his term frees him from the pressures of re-election and creates an opportunity for him to get on the right side of history. He can still be remembered as someone who stood up for our Constitution and our communities in the face of a corrupt, criminal, abusive administration.

At a minimum, I implore him to focus on what is right for our country and vote tomorrow in favor of the impeachment resolution. To be a real hero for our democracy, he should offer to co-sponsor the resolution, and then, vote based on evidence, not party.

Impeachment is the proper response to abuse of presidential power and contempt of Congress.

10/17   Resisters’ National Call-In Day
Call/write Rep. Greg Walden
MESSAGE
The only statement I’ve seen from Rep. Walden on Trump’s Ukraine call and the subsequent impeachment inquiry was when he said it “wasn’t President Trump’s finest moment" but was not grounds for impeachment.

Presumably Mr. Walden has had time to think further on both these subjects. Has he made any further statements or taken any actions regarding the call and/or impeachment that I might have missed? [..]

I want to ask him three questions, and I’d like to get a prompt response from him:

• Is it OK for the US President to ask a foreign country to interfere in our elections?
• Do you plan to uphold your oath of office? If so, when?

10/13 Walden, Save Yourself
Call/write your Republican MoCs.
MESSAGE
I am calling/writing to urge Mr. Walden to drop his fear of Donald Trump and act on his conscience, or at least on his oath of office. I continue to be amazed that he is so cowed by Trump, who is increasingly unpopular, increasingly unhinged, and in increasingly deep doodoo.

What is it Mr. Walden fears? That Trump will prevent his re-election? That Trump will tweet nasty things about him? He should be reassured by others who are acting like grown-ups and defying the boogeyman - such as Mitt Romney, Marie Yovanovitch, Gordon Sondland, Fiona Hill, Kurt Volker, even H. R. McMaster.

Mr. Walden, others are paving the way for you to grow a spine and bail on the Trump fiasco. You might still be able to save your name from the taint of having been a doormat to him. You still have time to perform your civic duty and protect this country.

10/3 Keep Pushing on Impeachment
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE
For Merkley and Wyden:
I’m calling/writing to thank the Senator for his strong support of an impeachment inquiry, and to urge him to

• continue to support the impeachment hearings,
• begin working for bipartisan votes should impeachment articles reach the Senate,
• and publicly state the House must compel AG Barr and Secretary Pompeo to testify. 

For Walden:
I’m calling/writing to wake Mr. Walden up to the incredible damage to our country posed by Trump’s abuse of power, corruption, and calls for a civil war. I urge Mr. Walden to rediscover his sense of personal ethics, live up to his oath of office, and support the impeachment process. It is not too late for Walden to change course, to act for our country, to defend the Constitution and the rule of law, and stop being a yes-person to a tin-pot despot.

SEPTEMBER
9/30 Demand AG Barr Recuse Himself
Call/write your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE
I'm calling/writing to urge you to demand that Attorney General William Barr recuse himself from investigation of the whistle-blower complaint against Trump. The opening of the complaint stated clearly, “Attorney General Barr appears to be involved as well.”

Barr’s Justice Department suppressed the whistle-blower’s complaint, even though it had been deemed credible by intelligence IG Michael Atkinson. Barr’s Justice Department determined the complaint didn’t need to go to Congress, as the whistle-blower statute directs. When Atkinson made a criminal referral to Barr’s Justice Department, it failed to open an investigation.

The facts are clear: Barr was named in the complaint. His office tried hard to cover up the complaint. By not recusing himself, Barr is retaining the authority to control or stop investigations into crimes he may have participated in. This is highly unethical, and further undermines the rule of law and the integrity of this nation.

I urge you to uphold your oath to defend our country, and demand the immediate recusal of Attorney General Barr.

9/28 Thank Guv Kate, and urge further action to uphold emissions standards
Click below to send letter.

Trump is escalating his attack on landmark clean car standards, which are critical to curbing CO2 emissions as well as fighting air pollution. He’s just moved (illegally) to strip the authority of California and 13 other states — including Oregon — to implement their existing tailpipe emissions standards. This would remove the ability of states to adopt clean car programs that are stronger than the federal government's.

Thankfully, 23 states — including Oregon — just filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop this egregious rollback.

Click here to send OR’s Gov. Kate Brown and attorney general Ellen Rosenblum letters thanking them for joining the suit, and urging them to fight the Trump administration rollback of federal clean car standards.

9/20   Pack our Newspapers for Climate Week!
Since this is Global Climate Strikes week, we want to pack our area papers with LTEs about climate change and the need for action. Put on your writer hat and write a short LTE about any aspect of climate change - your feelings, the Trump administration, what actions you want to see, why it’s important, the dangers we’re already seeing, the youth climate activists, whatever. It doesn’t have to be long, and it doesn’t have to be a science treatise!

You know the basic LTE “ingredients” from previous experience -
1. statement of the problem you’re concerned about
2. why it’s important to you
3. any related personal experience (eg wildfire, drought, storms, heat, health)
4. what change you want to see

Really, it can be that simple!

Please submit your LTE online early this week to your local paper:
Hood River News    - https://www.hoodrivernews.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/
The Dalles Chronicle - https://www.thedalleschronicle.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/
White Salmon Enterprise  - https://www.whitesalmonenterprise.com/site/forms/online_services/letter_editor/

9/17   Secure our Election System
Call/write your 2 US Senators.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing because I’m deeply concerned about our lack of elections security. Many, including Trump, the GOP, and Russia, are intent on controlling the elections system in order to control the 2020 elections. I thank the Senator for being Oregon’s champion for election security, and urge him to

• keep pushing McConnell to put PAVE act up for a vote,
• keep highlighting the need for election security on all their channels, and
• work to have the Senate follow the House and provide $600 million to secure our elections by the Congressional funding deadline at the end of September.
  
  

9/16   OR legislators: Pass Climate Bill
Call/write your 2 state reps. They’re back in Salem!
MESSAGE:
The climate crisis is growing worse, and Oregon needs to act. The Clean Energy Jobs bill, Oregon's next major climate protection law, is unfinished business after legislators failed to pass it this year. Our legislators MUST do their jobs and craft an aggressive, effective response to this crisis.

I’m calling/writing to tell [Rep. Williams, Sen. Thomsen] that I support cap-and-invest and I'm furious the legislature failed to finish the job. This must be the #1 priority from now until it passes. We've lost another crucial year by delaying action. Our solutions must be more ambitious than ever.

9/14 Take Control of $$ supporting Border Mania
Call your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you, as my elected representative, to ensure that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) do NOT receive any additional funding in the 2020 budget process. Trump recently stole $3.6 billion from the military to build his border wall, after stealing $6.1 billion from the DoD last February. And DHS recently announced it’s taking another $171 million from agencies it controls to pay for more detention beds, even though Congress specifically limited the number of people who could be detained. ENOUGH. I want Mr. Merkley/Wyden/Walden] to ensure that Congress cuts ICE, CBP, and DHS funding in 2020, and apply tighter controls on how the money they do get can be spent.

9/11 Re-assert Congress’ Budget Authority NOW
Call your 3 federal representatives.
MESSAGE
For Merkley, Wyden:
I’m calling/writing to thank the Senator for condemning Trump’s decision to divert $3.6 billion of military funds to pay for his border wall, and to strongly urge the Senator to ensure the 2020 budget does NOT re-appropriate money for the de-funded projects. Trump is counting on McConnell to put additional money in the appropriations bills to cover his thefts, and Congress needs to stop it. The theft and re-appropriation maneuvers are direct attacks on Congress’ spending authority. Re-appropriation must be blocked. Re-assert Congress’ budget authority NOW.
For Walden:
I’m calling/writing to urge Mr. Walden to condemn Trump’s decision to divert $3.6 billion of military funds to pay for his border wall, and to strongly urge Walden to ensure the 2020 budget does NOT re-appropriate money for the de-funded projects. Trump is counting on Congress to put additional money in the appropriations bills to cover his thefts, and Congress needs to stop it. The theft and re-appropriation maneuvers are direct attacks on Congress’ spending authority. Re-appropriation must be blocked. Re-assert Congress’ budget authority NOW.

9/8 Restore our National Parks
Call/write Rep. Greg Walden.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to thank Mr. Walden for co-sponsoring the HR 1225, the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act, and to ask that he work to see it to a vote in the House ASAP. National parks and public lands preserve our history and natural resources, and support local economies that depend on park tourism. I ask Mr. Walden to urge House leadership to schedule a floor vote on H.R.1225 as soon as possible.

9/3  Gun Control NOW
Call/write your US Senators. Yes, even though they’re on board with this, they need & WANT to hear it from us in order to make it their priority.
MESSAGE
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator to make it an absolute priority when recess ends to pass gun control legislation. It’s long past time for our elected officials to take meaningful action on gun violence. Period. I urge the Senate to start with passing S. 42, a background checks bill, as soon as they get back from August recess. The time to act on this was yesterday.

AUGUST
8/30   Walden: Flat Out Nuts Too?
Call/write your US Congressperson.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to encourage Mr. Walden to come to life, and notice that his allegiance to/silence regarding Trump has some significant downsides. Our democracy is in tatters, we are isolated on the world stage, the climate crisis is worsening, and the economy is highly unstable.

On top of all that, Trump is mentally compromised and unfit to hold public office. In one day recently, he attacked an ally for refusing to sell him part of its country, declared himself "the chosen one," quoted someone who called him "King of Israel,” claimed he could singlehandedly change the 14th Amendment of the Constitution by ending birthright citizenship, and cited auto pioneer and infamous anti-Semite Henry Ford in a message on Twitter. Members of Congress who act like there’s no problem here look flat out nuts too.

I urge Mr. Walden to stop shirking his duty to govern, to uphold the Constitution, and to protect his constituents from this nutcase in the White House.

8/27    Defund ICE Terror in Upcoming Budget
Call/write your 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to strongly urge you, as my representative, to commit to cut funding in the 2020 DHS funding bill for ICE and CBP, and to get rid of the slush fund that allows ICE to continue terrorizing immigrant communities. We need compassion and comprehensive immigration reform, not institutional abuse.

8/19   DEMAND Gun Control
Call/write your 2 US Senators.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing in distress over the growing risk of being shot and killed while out doing normal everyday activities. And now we’re sending kids back to school with risk of being killed there. I’m appalled by the Senate’s inaction on this terrible public safety crisis. We need gun safety measures put in place, particularly banning large capacity magazines, reinstating the assault weapons ban, universal background checks, and red flag laws. I ask Senator [NAME] to demand that the Majority Leader hold a vote on H.R. 8 and H.R. 1112, the bipartisan background-check bills that the House passed in February, and on S. 66, the renewal of the assault-weapons ban. Our lives depend on it.
 
8/15   Gun Control NOW!
Call/write your 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge, no DEMAND, that you, as my elected representative in Congress, do whatever it takes to deliver on gun control NOW. We need comprehensive background checks, with no internet or private sales loopholes. We need comprehensive, no exceptions, gun registration, and owner liability for gun use. We need comprehensive red flag laws. We need a complete ban on assault rifles in civilian hands. If you’re actively working to make these things happen, you have my support. If not, I’ll work hard to replace you.
 
8/14   Denounce White Supremacist Agenda
Call/write your 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Mr. [Wyden, Merkley, Walden] to act boldly to derail the Trump Administration’s damaging racist talk and actions. I ask that he
1) use his powerful voice to publicly name this Administration’s immigration policies as a white supremacist agenda; and
2) preserve the guardrails on DHS, ICE and CBP* that are in the House’s 2020 appropriations bill.

8/7   Response to Mass Shootings
Call/write your 3 US representatives. 
MESSAGES:
For Sens. Merkley & Wyden
In the aftermath of a weekend full of hate-filled mass shootings, I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator 
(1) to continue calling out Trump’s racism and hate speech every damn time, and
(2) to do all he can to end the recess and force the Senate to vote on HR 8 (updated background check bill) and HR 1112 (closing the Charleston loophole).
 
For Rep. Walden
In the aftermath of a weekend full of hate-filled mass shootings, I’m calling/writing to urge Mr. Walden to call out Trump’s racism and hate speech now, finally, and every damn time. Failure to do so is killing us, literally and figuratively. 
 
I’d also like to ask if Mr. Walden is proud now of his NO votes this year on gun safety bills HR 8 (updated background check bill) and HR 1112 (closing the Charleston loophole). We constituents are not proud; we are fearful. I am​ proud, however, that other legislators in the House have enough sense and caring to have passed the bills in spite of Mr. Walden.
 
8/5   Call out Walden on Racism Vote
Call/write Rep. Greg Walden  (202-225-6730; https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me)
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to tell Mr. Walden how grossly inappropriate it is for him to have voted recently against HR 489, “Condemning President Trump's Racist Comments Directed at Members of Congress.” The resolution was specific in disapproving of President Donald Trump's comments from July 14th, in which Trump urged 4 U.S. Representatives to “go back to the broken and crime-infested places from which they came.” 
 
For Mr. Walden to have voted against the resolution not only implies his approval of Trump’s hateful racism, xenophobia, and misogyny, but shows him again to be an ever-loyal toadie to Trump, regardless of who is marginalized or hurt or bullied. Mr. Walden is not fit to represent people of conscience and honor in this district, who know quite well that Trump-style hate-mongering is WRONG and to be condemned.
 
8/1   Bring On the Drug Price Relief (FINALLY) 
Call your US Senators. 
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to tell the Senator how excited I am that the Senate Finance Committee, in a bipartisan vote, approved the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act, and urge him to do all he can to see that it is brought to and passed by the full Senate. The bill includes provisions to drive down drug prices, provide relief to seniors, and help Medicare and Medicaid save $100 billion over the next decade. We’ve been needing this for YEARS!!!!
 
Include this message when calling OR Senator Ron Wyden:
THANK YOU, Sen. Wyden, for your leadership on this measure as Ranking Member of the Finance Committee. 

JULY
7/26  Demand Election Security
Call/write your 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE:
FOR REP. WALDEN
I’m alarmed and angry that I have seen no action from Rep. Walden to combat the growing threat to our election security. I’m asking Mr. Walden to put his constituents and his country over party and support rigorous election security legislation.

This week alone we’ve had FBI Director Christopher Wray warned the Senate Intelligence Committee about continuing Russian interference, Robert Mueller assuring us that Russians are working to interfere with our 2020 elections “as we sit here,” and headlines in the NY Times confirming Russian interference attempts in every US state in 2016.

I urge Mr. Walden to support election security legislation NOW.

FOR SEN. MERKLEY:
I want to thank the Senator for publicly calling for an impeachment inquiry, and calling out McConnell for not allowing a vote on any election security bills. I urge him to keep pushing his fellow Senators to find the courage to demand that ALL election security legislation be brought to a vote, and to continue to call for an immediate impeachment inquiry.

FOR SEN. WYDEN:
I want to thank the Senator for introducing the PAVE and SAFE Acts for election security in the Senate, and for calling out McConnell for not allowing a vote on any election security bills.  I urge him to keep pushing his fellow Senators to find the courage to demand that ALL election security legislation be brought to a vote, and to join Sen. Merkley in publicly calling for an impeachment inquiry.

7/20  Speak out (AGAIN) against oil trains through the Gorge
Yet another oil company is trying to permit an oil refining facility in Oregon. Our protests to date have prevented many companies from succeeding. We need to crank it up again!

Click here to tell the DEQ (OR Dept. of Environmental Quality) to deny the air pollution permit for Global Partners’ Port Westward facility, located in the Columbia River estuary. Global Partners’ oil ambitions threaten public safety, salmon, and clean water. And, of course, building more oil infrastructure will only worsen the climate crisis.

Speak out here! Use the suggested language on the site or write/add your own.

7/16    Stop Cruelty to Immigrant Children
Call/write your 3 US representatives. 
MESSAGE:
For Sens. Merkley & Wyden
I’m calling/writing to thank the Senator for co-sponsoring the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act. The separation of immigrant children from their parents is both kidnapping and child abuse, both of which are still illegal in this country. Far more important, though, is that separation is emotionally and psychologically damaging for children, producing scars that will haunt them the rest of their lives. This is NOT right, is NOT what Americans want to be, and MUST be stopped!
 
For Rep. Walden
I’m calling/writing to urge Mr. Walden to co-sponsor the House version of the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act. The separation of immigrant children from their parents is both kidnapping and child abuse, both of which are still illegal in this country. Far more important, though, is that separation is emotionally and psychologically damaging for children, producing scars that will haunt them the rest of their lives. This is NOT right, is NOT what Americans want to be, and MUST be stopped! 
Related article. 

7/10    Save our Healthcare (again!)
Call/write your 3 US representatives. 
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Mr. [Merkley/Wyden/Walden] to act quickly to save us constituents from the pending loss of our access to healthcare.
 
Trump and his GOP are moving closer to completely dismantling the ACA. Please offer proposals to save essential components of the ACA, which would highlight how important the ACA is to the health and wellbeing of all of your constituents. This would include:

• Pre-existing conditions coverage
• Annual and lifetime out-of-pocket limits
• Criminalize gender-based premiums
• Maintain coverage for prescription drugs, maternity care, lab test, and ER visits

Our collective access to healthcare in this country is tenuous enough, without going backwards. Please act now.

7/9    Stop funding abuse at the border
Call/write your 3 US representatives. 
MESSAGE:
For Sens. Merkley & Wyden
I am calling/writing to express my anger at the Trump administration’s inhumane treatment of immigrants at the border, and my great concern about Congress providing $4.6 billion to Trump to further fund it. I urge you to work for a budget that contains no additional funding for DHS and that provides humanitarian aid for those suffering at the hands of ICE/CBP.
 
For Rep. Walden
I am calling/writing to express my anger at the Trump administration’s inhumane treatment of immigrants at the border, and my great concern about Congress providing $4.6 billion to Trump to further fund it. 
 
Mr. Walden stated repeatedly at his recent Town Hall in Cascade Locks that he is opposed to this cruelty at the border. That’s very nice. But for that sentiment to have any credibility and functionality at all, Walden needs to become a relentless, outspoken critic of these human rights violations and the people behind it. Continuing to be silent on the sidelines while children are being emotionally traumatized and scarred for life is the most despicable complicity.
 
I further urge Mr. Walden to work for a budget that contains no additional funding for the DHS and that provides humanitarian aid for those suffering at the hands of ICE/CBP.
 
7/5    Lower Drug Prices
Call/write your Congressperson. 
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to co-sponsor H.R. 1046, the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act. Prescription drug prices are higher here than in other high-income countries. I and many CD2 constituents are heavily burdened by the high price of prescription drugs.
 
It’s a shameful giveaway to Big Pharma that our government is not currently allowed to use its position as the largest purchaser of prescription drugs in the country to bargain for lower prices for patients. HR 1046 will correct that by giving Medicare the power it needs to effectively negotiate with drug companies and bring drug prices down.
 
We need this! Exorbitant drug prices are killing people!

7/4    Call for Election Protections
Call/write your 3 US representatives. 
MESSAGE: 
For Wyden & Merkley
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator to

• Do all he can to get HR 1 (For the People Act) and HR 2722 (Securing America’s Federal Elections Act) passed in the Senate.
• Do all he can to get the PAVE (Protecting American Votes and Elections) Act passed in the Senate.
• Call for an investigation of the foreign inference in our elections and Trump’s obstruction of justice.

Safeguarding our elections and our democracy can’t wait. The 2020 election is already in our sights, and those of foreign powers that Trump has invited to interfere.
For Walden
I’m calling/writing to urge Mr. Walden to

• Do all he can to get the PAVE (Protecting American Votes and Elections) Act passed in the House.
• Call for an investigation of the foreign inference in our elections and Trump’s obstruction of justice.

Safeguarding our elections and our democracy can’t wait. The 2020 election is already in our sights, and those of foreign powers that Trump has invited to interfere.

7/2   End Trump's Child Abuse
Call/write your 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to protect immigrant children from abuse by Trump and his enforcers. The Trump administration has torn thousands of kids from their families and detained them in facilities that are rightly called concentration camps. Child abuse is against the law in this country. It is your job to make Trump follow the law and protect the rights of children.
 
I ask that you:

• call for an investigation into conditions in the camps
• inspect at least one of these camps during the current recess and assess the conditions for yourself, if you haven’t already;
• call for an investigation into conditions in the camps
• demand that Trump #CloseTheCamps
• speak out for an impeachment inquiry to hold Trump accountable for his crimes including his human rights violations inquiry to hold Trump accountable for his violations of human rights.

JUNE
6/25  Call AGAIN to hold Trump Accountable
Call/write your 3 US representatives.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge the [Senator/Congressman] to hold Trump accountable for his impeachable crimes – obstruction of justice as documented by Mueller, and now obstruction of Congress. In spite of Trump’s perpetual manufactured chaos, from abusing immigrant children to stopping (for the moment) 10 minutes short of war with Iran, I strongly urge you to continue to focus on holding him accountable for his crimes.

Add for Walden:
Rep. Walden continues to be silent about both Trump’s obstruction of justice and his obstruction of Congress, which is an shameful and dangerous abdication of duty. We need a congressperson who will uphold his/her oath of office to provide oversight of the Executive branch.

6/20  Republican Senators Walk-Out
It appears Oregon Senate Republicans flew over to Montana so they couldn’t be called in for the vote on HB 2020 (obviously they don’t think they have the votes to kill the bill so they ran away). This is not okay. Senate Republicans should be doing their jobs, not fleeing the state because they don’t agree with a bill. Their job is to vote, not run and hide. And yes, they’re drawing their Senate paychecks while doing this.

Call your Republican State Senator and tell him/her to Get Back to Work!!

6/18 Stop the bloodbath. Cosponsor “Red Flag” bill HR 3076.
Call your Congressman.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to cosponsor HR 3076, the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, as a common-sense way to reduce gun violence in our country.

This “Red Flag” bill would allow family members and law enforcement to present evidence to a court for an order that would temporarily suspend a person's access to guns when the evidence shows that person poses a risk of using guns to harm themselves or others. With mass shootings every week and frequent suicides by gunshot, often with overt warning signs, we desperately need it.

Please cosponsor and pass HB 3076 to help reduce the devastation of gun violence in America.

6/16 FINAL PUSH for HB2020 – Let’s make it happen!
Ten years in the making, our climate-forward HB2020 “Clean Energy Jobs” bill is on the brink of passage. Just passed in the House yesterday (YAY!!!), but TOO CLOSE TO CALL in the Senate. Need your help please!!

Call, write, run after and tackle your State Senator today:
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to strongly urge you to support HB2020, the Clean Energy Jobs bill (official title: Oregon Carbon Action Plan)! Climate change is already defining our world, and our children’s and grandchildren’s futures. We need bold action at the state level now, including a cap on carbon, a price on CO2 emissions, and investment in communities most impacted by climate disruption. Failing on BOLD ACTION NOW is not a viable option. Vote YES on HB 2020.

BE PRESENT IN THE CAPITOL:
We need visibility! Industry lobbyists are flocking to the Capitol and CEJ reps are being outnumbered 10 to 1. Click the link below to sign up for a shift or a whole day, so we can fill the Capitol halls with CEJ t-shirted supporters all week. Two shifts a day: 9am-12:30, and 12:30-4pm. No testifying, just sit and do your knitting or whatever. No kidding – EASY, but powerful.
Sign up here.

6/12 Cruelty to Children. Where IS Walden??
Call/write your US Congressman.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Mr. Walden to speak out forcefully against the Trump administration’s inhumane treatment of children coming to our country as immigrants. Since the administration launched its zero-tolerance policy on immigration last year, thousands of children have been separated from their families and housed in government detention centers.

When pressed on the subject at a town hall in Boardman, Walden did call the separation of children from their parents at the border “a real mistake,” but the policy continues and Walden has not acted in any way to condemn the administration’s action or to intervene.

It’s cruel for children to be traumatized like this, and unthinkable that some legislators are willing to look the other way. Why would one do this?

I am asking Walden to commit himself to fighting the separation policy and condemning those who endorse it and carry it out.

6/7 Cut funding for Trump’s deportation machine
Call/write your US Congressman.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge Rep. Walden to call on the House Appropriations Committee to #DefundHate by cutting funding to the agencies that carry out Trump’s racist immigration policies. Under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have received billions in additional funding to tear gas, separate, and cage families, and to terrorize communities. This is NOT a sane or humane immigration policy. Defund the hate, and create real immigration reform.

6/6 Pass PAVE Act to Protect our Elections
Call/write your 3 US representatives.
​
We’ve had confirmed foreign interference in our 2016 and 2018 elections. 2020 is next, and we must act. Trump refuses to – likely only Putin knows why.

Last month, Sen. Ron Wyden and 12 Dem colleagues introduced the PAVE Act (Protecting American Votes and Elections) which:

• mandates paper ballots for all U.S. elections
• bans internet, Wi-Fi, cellular connections to voting machines
• provides $500 million in grants to states to buy paper-ballot scanning machines
• permits federal reimbursement for mandated post-election audits

PAVE will fix election vulnerabilities, secure elections from hackers, and give voters confidence in election results.

In spite of the HUGE risk to the entire country, Mitch McConnell refuses to let PAVE come to a vote in the Senate.

MESSAGE for Merkley and Wyden:
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator to protect our elections from outside interference by making sure the PAVE Act is passed. He must pressure Sen. McConnell to allow the PAVE Act a hearing and a vote. McConnell won’t budge, insist other Repub Senators join the cause. It only takes 51 Senators to bring it to a vote.

MESSAGE for Walden:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to protect our elections from outside interference by making sure the PAVE Act (Protecting American Votes and Elections) is passed. It is a travesty that Trump refuses to protect our elections himself. I urge Mr. Walden to put patriotism over party by shining a spotlight on foreign election interference, as Rep. Susan Collins has done, and pressuring Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans to bring the PAVE Act to the Senate floor for a vote.

6/4 Your Job is to Provide Oversight. Where are you?
Call/write your US Congressman.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge Rep. Walden to exercise the most fundamental responsibility of his job in Congress – to provide oversight of the Executive branch. Regardless of party or policy opinion, Congress has a constitutional duty to examine Trump’s actions, and to hold him accountable for his decisions.

Trump continues to defy the rule of law and the Constitution. And now, his treacherous behavior is infecting further through Executive branch. The Treasury Department has simply rejected Congress’ lawful demand for Trump’s tax returns, and the Department of Justice has refused to follow a court order requiring it to release material related to the Michael Flynn investigation.
So far Mr. Walden has been thoroughly silent in the oversight department. This is a dereliction of duty that we as constituents want to see corrected immediately, for our benefit and the country’s. Congressman, do your job.

6/3 Investigate GOP Effort to Undercount Census
Call/write your 3 federal reps.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge [Sen. / Rep.] ___ to act on the new documents exposing GOP members’ lies under oath about its attempt to subvert the census count to support extreme partisan gerrymandering. I ask that [Sen./Rep.] ___
loudly condemn the lying and the attempt to subvert the census, and demand that the House Oversight Committee investigate the Trump Administration’s efforts to subvert the Constitution’s Census Clause.
This is no time to stand by silently while Trump continues to trash our democratic processes.

MAY
5/29 NO to Barr Declassifying Intelligence
Call/write your 3 federal reps.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge [Sen. ___ / Rep. ___] to call on the congressional intelligence committees to investigate whether it is legal for Trump give Attorney General Barr authority to declassify national intelligence, and to immediately step up their oversight function.

Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, states the release of highly sensitive classified information would put our national security at risk. It can “dry up” sources and inhibit our ability to gather intelligence, compromise agents, and threaten lives of both agents and informants. And internationally, it will raise questions among our allies and partners about whether to share sensitive intelligence with us.

Trump’s order puts our national security at great risk, and once again threatens to marginalize us among our allies. I urge you to do everything possible to keep AG Barr OUT of our classified intelligence.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/24/us/politics/trump-barr-declassify-intelligence.html

​5/27   CALL for Climate Bill!
Call/write your 2 state reps.
 
HB 2020, The Clean Energy Jobs Bill, passed out of its committee last week, which is a BIG DEAL. Passing this bill will put Oregon at the forefront of climate change legislation. Renew Oregon is calling for people to make climate calls now. They are also having a Climate Day of Action in Salem, Wednesday, May 29. RSVP here.
 
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to strongly urge you to support HB2020, the Clean Energy Jobs bill (official title: Oregon Carbon Action Plan)! Climate change is already defining our world, and our children’s and grandchildren’s futures. We need bold action at the state level now, including a cap on carbon, a price on CO2 emissions, and investment in communities most impacted by climate disruption. Failing on BOLD ACTION NOW is not a viable option. Vote YES on HB 2020.
 
 
5/24   Call to Action: You were elected to govern
Call/write your 3 fed reps.
MESSAGE to Merkley and Wyden:
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator to create a coalition of 50 other Senators that are willing to put COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY, to overcome the bullying and do their jobs to pass legislation that benefits the American people.
 
So far the Senate has refused to take up ANY of the legislation passed by the House, including bills passed with bipartisan support. It is unconscionable for Senators, the country’s elected officials, to refuse to tackle critical issues like protecting our election system for the sake of partisan “strategy.” This kind of strategy is ruining the country and our futures.
 
Any senator can introduce a bill. 51 senators can require it to come to a vote. Let’s get it going.
 
MESSAGE to Walden:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to put COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY by demanding comprehensive hearings and investigations regarding Trump’s documented and ongoing episodes of obstruction of justice.
 
When the Mueller report came out, Walden said it showed no collusion and therefore the “partisans” should “move on” to other work. He chose to ignore Trump’s obstruction of justice, and apparently still is ignoring it. I urge Mr. Walden to break his silence and engage in Congress’ Constitutionally-defined duty to provide oversight of the Executive branch.


5/23 Call for vote today: YES on Gun Bill HB2013A
Call/write your State Senator - see contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to STRONGLY urge you to vote YES on the Domestic Violence Relinquishment Bill, HB 2013A. It will protect domestic violence victims by giving state and local law enforcement officers tools to enforce laws forbidding those convicted of domestic violence and stalkers from purchasing or possessing guns. This bill is desperately needed to ensure that people who are not permitted to possess guns under OR law (because of domestic violence crimes and restraining orders) have to relinquish them through court order.

5/22 Call to Action: Uphold Rule of Law
Call/write your 3 fed reps - see contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge the [Senator/Congressman] to fight Trump’s defiance of the rule of law, and his threat to our constitutional balance of powers
Mueller’s report cited 10 clear instances of Trump’s obstruction of justice regarding the Russia investigation. Trump’s refusal to provide Congress with complete information on Russian interference hinders our efforts to protect our elections from further cyber attacks. And now Trump states Congress does not have the power to investigate the Executive branch, denying its constitutional authority. His minions A.G. Barr and Secretary Mnuchin have supported this defiance of the rule of law.

Congress must not abandon its constitutional oversight authority. I urge the Senator/Representative to ensure:

• that Mueller is subpoenaed, if necessary, to testify before Congress immediately.  
• that Congress starts impeachment hearings against Trump now, and
• that A.G. Barr and Secretary Mnuchin be held in contempt.

5/20 Call to Action: No War with Iran!
Call/write your 3 fed reps - see contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge the [Senator/Congressman] to support S.1039/HR 2354, the “Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019.” I’m worried that Trump is pushing us closer to a war with Iran. Over the past year Trump has taken uncalled-for measures to provoke Iran. There’s now a military build-up in the area, we are one accident away from war. Trump’s volatility and impulsiveness could jettison us instantly into another war. It would be catastrophic for America, Iran and the world.

Under the circumstances, I also urge that the Acting Secretary of Defense NOT be confirmed until Congress is briefed on Iran.
This is a time when the oversight functions of both House and Senate are desperately needed to control the nut in the White House, and his war-mongering advisors.

5/15 Call to Action: Pass the CEJ, Make OR an energy leader
Call/write your 2 state reps (contact info above) today, and let them know you want their support.
MESSAGE:
I'm writing to express my support for our landmark Clean Energy Jobs bill, and to strongly urge you as your constituent to support it.
Oregonians are already suffering from the effects of climate change -- including declining snowpack, increased wildfires, unhealthy air quality, drought, and rising sea levels.

This much-needed legislation will help expand Oregon's clean energy economy, cut harmful carbon pollution, protect communities from extreme weather like wildfires and drought, and improve public health, all while holding big polluters accountable.
I'm counting on you to keep Oregon leading on climate action. Please make sure the Clean Energy Jobs bill passes this year.

5/6 Needs your calls: US Pres & VP candidates to produce tax returns to be on OR ballot
Here’s a bill that should get our attention: HB 2762 / SB 594 -- which would require candidates for US President & VP to release their tax returns for the preceding five years to be included on the ballot.

You may have heard that similar bills are working their way through other State legislatures this session. Our bill is in Rules Committee right now, but Committee members say they haven’t been hearing much from the public about it. Let’s change that! (If they don’t hear constituents’ interest, it can die in committee.)

Call/write your State Senator and State Rep to show your enthusiastic support!
MESSAGE:
I’m writing to let you know that I support HB 2762 / SB 594, which would require candidates for US President & VP to release their tax returns for the preceding five years to be included on the ballot. It is very worrisome to me when candidates for these high elected offices are too fearful of what their tax returns might reveal to release them. Whatever they are afraid to show may well be incompatible with being independent and ethical in elected office. I urge you to support HB 2762 / SB 594.

5/2 Emergency Call: Stop this TERRIBLE enviro bill in Oregon
Call Senate Majority Leader Burdick today at 503-986-1700 and tell her to stop SB 451.
MESSAGE:
Senate Bill 451 is terrible and needs to be stopped. It is being advanced by a corporation called Covanta for the purpose of avoiding regulation of its garbage incinerator near Salem, AND even getting clean energy rewards for capturing some energy from its burning plastics, medical waste, and other kinds of toxic garbage.

The bill has now moved to the Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Sen. Burdick. As chair, she can stop SB 451 by not giving it a work session in the committee. Killing this bill will protect public health from combustion emissions, and put a stop to defining trash incineration as renewable energy.

5/2 Call to Action: Hold Trump accountable
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE to Merkley, Wyden:
I’m calling to urge the Senator to uphold his pledge to defend the Constitution, and to hold Trump accountable for his crimes and impeachable offenses. Mueller documented that Trump has repeatedly committed obstruction of justice, which is both illegal and a blow to our democracy. No one, especially an American president, is above the law.

MESSAGE to Walden:
I’m calling to urge Rep. Walden to uphold his pledge to defend the Constitution, and to hold Trump accountable for his crimes and impeachable offenses. Mueller documented that Trump has repeatedly committed obstruction of justice, which is both illegal and a blow to our democracy. No one, especially an American president, is above the law.

I am very concerned about Mr. Walden’s silence on Trump’s crimes and impeachable offenses, and his lack of support for Congressional investigation. Through his actions and inactions, Walden appears to fully support Trump—regardless of how much damage Trump is doing to our democracy and to world stability. This is a dereliction of duty on Walden’s part, and as his constituent I demand that he fulfill his oath of office fully.

APRIL
4/30 Statewide Coordinated CtA: Investigate Trump
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
​MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Senator/Rep. [Name] to do all he can to

1. hold Trump accountable for known impeachable offenses,
2. investigate Trump’s possible illegal acts, and
3. protect my healthcare from Trump’s continuing efforts to declare the ACA unconstitutional.

Trump’s ongoing assaults on our country, the rule of law, and the needs of the American public need to be fought at the highest level by our legislators and courts. This is NO TIME FOR SILENCE! Please act on behalf of your constituents NOW.

4/24 Tell state legislators: Vote YES on Oil Train Bill
Call/write your 2 state reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge your support for HB 2209, the much-needed oil train safety bill.
HB 2209 would require railroads hauling crude oil through Oregon to:

• Submit oil spill cleanup plans to the state for approval,
• Pay fees to cover spill response plans and training,
• Carry enough insurance to cover spills up to 15% of the oil train capacity, or about 450,000 gallons.​

We here in the Gorge have already experienced the need for this legislation. It was just good luck for us that the derailment in Mosier wasn’t more of a disaster than it was.

Crude oil continues to be being transported by through the Gorge and other communities across Oregon, headed for export and for refineries in California and Washington. Neither entails any direct benefit to Oregon’s economy. We only bear risk of disaster – but oh no! - Oregon has the weakest laws on the West Coast related to oil trains. 

In the Mosier derailment, oil spill and fire, Oregon had to rely heavily on the Washington Department of Ecology for assistance. Both California and Washington have passed laws that include fees on the railroads to help the states prepare for a disaster. These new laws have not been preempted by federal railroad laws. Without comprehensive oil train safety laws, Oregon will continue to lack basic protections from oil trains.

It is past time to protect Oregon and Oregonian from oil train disasters by proper preparation and response capacity. I urge you to support HB 2209.

4/23 Statewide Coordinated CtA: Investigate Trump
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE for Merkley, Wyden:
I’m calling to urge the Senator to demand the full unredacted report from Attorney General Barr, and to call for Robert Mueller to testify before Congress as soon as possible.

MESSAGE for Walden:
I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to demand the full unredacted report from Attorney General Barr, and to call for Robert Mueller to testify before Congress as soon as possible. Congress must follow the blueprint in the Mueller report and continue the investigation of Trump for obstruction of justice.

I read Walden’s statement saying that the Mueller report did not find Trump colluded with the Russian government on the 2016 election hacking, so “the partisans” should now move on and get to work on other important issues. I would like to point out, however, that the report does spell out a litany of official malfeasance, including Trump’s

• Repeated efforts to persuade witnesses to lie;
• Encouraging witnesses to conceal or fabricate evidence;
• Ordering the White House Counsel to fire Mueller, and then to lie about being ordered to do so;
• Ordering then A.G. Jeff Sessions to limit Mueller to investigating only future elections – not 2016;
• Ordering officials to produce a memo declaring Trump’s innocence.

YES on obstruction of justice with criminal intent. YES on colossally damaging to our democracy. YES on making a mockery of our government. This warrants a rigorous government response, not partisan acquiescence. Walden vowed to uphold the laws and governing processes of our country – now I want to see it.

4/22 Call to Action: Secure Our Elections
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE for Merkley, Wyden:
I’m calling to urge the Senator protect our electoral processes from outside control. The Mueller report shows how vast and effective the Russians were in influencing our elections in 2016. We have to secure the 2020 election in order to preserve our country and to have confidence in the outcome of the election. Every proposal to protect our election system from foreign attacks has been blocked in the Senate by McConnell. I demand that you and others pressure him to ensure our elections are protected from another damaging attack.

MESSAGE for Walden:
I’m calling to urge Rep. Walden protect our electoral processes from outside control. The Mueller report shows how vast and effective the Russians were in influencing our elections in 2016. Mr. Walden’s press statement regarding the released Mueller report suggests that either he hasn’t read the report, or he has chosen to rely on GOP spin for his opinion.

Subverting American elections is no joke. We have to secure the 2020 election in order to preserve our country and to have confidence in the outcome of the election. Every proposal to protect our election system from foreign attacks has been blocked in the Senate by McConnell. I demand that Walden and his colleagues pressure McConnell to ensure our elections are protected from another damaging attack.

4/19 Call to Action: Mueller Report = Your Launch Pad
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m writing because the redacted version of the Mueller report demonstrates the gross unfitness of Trump to be president, and because AG Barr’s handling of the report also demonstrates that Barr cannot be trusted to uphold the rule of law.

I urge the [Senator/Congressman] to ensure 1) Mueller testifies in public, and 2) that any federal investigations Mueller has referred to other law enforcement offices are not compromised by Barr and/or the DOJ leadership.

This is no time for silence. Our country’s democracy is at stake, as well as our standing in on the world stage. Silence at this time on the part of individual legislators implies complicity, and deepens the nation’s problems.

4/17 Support Planned Parenthood Agenda
Call/write your 2 state reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m writing in support of Planned Parenthood legislative priorities in Salem. I couldn’t make it to Salem for PP’s lobby day but I wanted to tell you as a constituent that I support these issues! [[[[[Share personal story/statement of why this is important to you]]]]
I urge you to support these important reproductive healthcare issues, and generally to ensure access to reproductive healthcare in Oregon:

• SB 5525, the OHA budget, to fully fund the Contraceptive Care program (CCare) and the reproductive health fund
• HB 3427, the Student Success Act, especially to fund appropriate science-based sex education in the classroom; and
• HB 3031, the paid family and medical leave act.

4/16 Statewide Coordinated CtA: Stop Lawless Treatment of Immigrants
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
Trump’s behavior and the actions of his advisors are becoming increasingly lawless, especially concerning immigrants. I’m asking the [Senator/Congressman] to call for Stephen Miller’s immediate resignation and to support House committee subpoenas of Miller. I also ask that he work to pass laws to stop Homeland Security’s illegal and cruel policies, especially the REUNITE Act and Families Not Facilities Act.

4/15 Call to Action: Release Trump Tax Returns
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
Happy tax day! I’m calling to urge the Senator/Congressperson to continue to demand that Trump’s tax returns be released.

Congress and the American people have the right to know if and how foreign governments or business interests are affecting US government policies. And it is highly improper for the IRS, Treasury, Dept of Justice, or any other government agency to question Congress’ motivations in seeking these returns.

I urge the Senator/Congressman to encourage further media coverage and to do all that s/he can to force compliance with Congress’ demand for Trump’s tax return — whether through subpoenas or court action.

4/10 Call to Action: Dump Stephen Miller
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge the [Senator/Congressperson] to call for Stephen Miller’s immediate resignation.
Miller is the president’s top immigration adviser, and is among the hardest of hard-liners in the Administration on immigration issues.
His record is hateful, fear-filled, and consistent:

• chief architect of the travel ban on citizens from Muslim-majority countries;
• favors the building of tent cities at the border for warehousing asylum seekers;
• wants to end the 20-day limit on detaining migrant children;
• wants to reinstate the practice of snatching migrant children from their families.
  
  

These policies are inhumane and, in many cases, illegal.  This is not the country I want us to be. We need comprehensive immigration reform, with concern for the law, international norms, and basic humanity. We do NOT need the awful and uncoordinated zeal of a xenophobe driving American immigration policy.

I urge the [Senator/Congressperson] to call for Stephen Miller’s immediate resignation.

​4/8 Call your State Senator today – Vote YES on NPV tomorrow!
Call/write your State Senator - contact info above.
Finally, after 6 years of trying, we hope this will be the year that the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact gets passed in Oregon! The national movement has gained strength and numbers.  Delaware and Colorado passed NPV this spring. OR and other states are pending. Let’s make it happen!
 
MESSAGE:
I’m a constituent and I’m calling to urge the Senator to vote YES on the National Popular Vote bill tomorrow. We need to change the way we elect the President of the United States to be by popular vote so that every vote across the country is equal.
 
I want presidential candidates to care about what is important to all Americans, like me here in Oregon, not just those in swing states. I strongly urge the Senator to VOTE YES on National Popular Vote tomorrow! 

4/4 Call your State Senator today – Stop this BAD bill!
Call/write your State Senator - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge you to vote NO on SB 451, which would allow waste incinerators to count toward the Renewable Portfolio Standard. The Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) sets a requirement for how much of Oregon’s energy must come from renewable resources.

The whole point of the RPS is to incentivize clean, renewable energy sources so we can avoid the air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that are part of burning carbon-based fuels. But garbage is almost entirely C-based, and incineration produces emission of air toxics, particulates, and greenhouse gases.

Covanta, a business running garbage incinerators, is pushing this bill. Covanta will get make money with SB 451, but Oregonians will be left with more air quality and community health problems, and worsening of climate change.

Garbage incineration should NOT in any way be thought of as an RPS strategy. Please protect us by voting NO when this terrible bill comes to the Senate.

4/4   RAPID RESPONSE RALLY
Rally to demand FULL RELEASE of the Mueller report:

• Thursday, April 4, 5-6pm
• Overlook Memorial Park (fish fountain) at 2nd & State Streets in Hood River
• Bring a sign, if possible (No One is Above the Law, Full Report Now, What are you hiding?, etc)

It’s still Mueller Time! Across the country activists are demanding release of the full Mueller report. AG Barr is stonewalling on release of the report – yes, I’ll release report, but no, it’ll be redacted; yes, I’ll release it soon, but no, not by Congress’ April 2 deadline. Barr was, after all, handpicked by Trump for just this role.

This national protest is organized by “Nobody is Above The Law,” a coalition of progressive groups including Indivisible and Move On.
For more info and/or to find rallies in other places: https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response/search

4/2   Statewide Coordinated Call to Action: Release Full Report
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
I’m calling to urge the [Senator/Congressperson] to demand that the full Mueller report be made public, for a number of important reasons -

• We need to restore trust in government, but every line of redaction will erode trust.  
• We need all the details on Russia’s attack on the 2016 elections, knowledge of which can help us protect the 2020 elections.
• We need full information to allow the House leadership to do what hasn’t happened for two years – hold the president accountable when he undermines the rule of law.

I ask the [Senator/Congressperson] to do all he can to make sure the full report is made public.

4/1   Rapid Response Rally - Thurs, April 4, in Hood River
Rally to demand FULL RELEASE of the Mueller report:

• Thursday, April 4, 5-6pm
• Overlook Memorial Park (fish fountain) at 2nd & State Streets in Hood River
• Bring a sign, if possible (No One is Above the Law, Full Report Now, What are you hiding?, etc)

 
It’s still Mueller Time! Across the country activists are demanding release of the full Mueller report. AG Barr is stonewalling on release of the report – yes, I’ll release report, but no, it’ll be redacted; yes, I’ll release it soon, but no, not by Congress’ April 2 deadline. Barr was, after all, handpicked by Trump for just this role.
 
This national protest is organized by “Nobody is Above The Law,” a coalition of progressive groups including Indivisible and Move On.
Get more info and/or find rallies in other places: https://www.trumpisnotabovethelaw.org/event/mueller-firing-rapid-response/search/

4/1   Videos of Walden Town Halls
Here are links for videos of the Walden town halls in Hood River and The Dalles on 3/15/2019. Thanks to Mike McKeag of Mosier for his great videography and packaging of the videos!
 
Walden town hall Hood River 3/15/19 part 1: https://vimeo.com/325550045
Walden town hall Hood River 3/15/19 part 2: https://vimeo.com/325596623
Walden town hall The Dalles 3/15/19 part 1: https://vimeo.com/325797896
Walden town hall The Dalles 3/15/19 part 2: https://vimeo.com/325812669

MARCH
3/29   Support a Red Flag Law
The Senate Judiciary Committee is currently holding a hearing on gun-sense “Red Flag” laws. Our Senators need to hear we want them to support this!
Call/write our 2 fed Senators - contact info above.
MESSAGE for Wyden & Merkley:
I’m calling to urge the Senator to support a Red Flag law at the federal level. Red Flag laws empower family members and law enforcement officers to petition a court to temporarily restrict a person's access to guns when they pose a risk of using them to harm themselves or others. They're an evidence-based solution that saves lives by preventing gun tragedies before they happen. We desperately need this to address our country’s terrible gun violence crisis.

3/27   Defend the ACA
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
The Justice Department made a surprise announcement yesterday that it is seeking to have the entire ACA declared unconstitutional. Previously, the Justice Department had “only” supported gutting protections for pre-existing conditions. Within hours, House Democrats introduced legislation to expand and strengthen the ACA.
 
If the DoJ’s attempt succeeds:

• 20 million people will lose health care insurance immediately;
• Oregon’s uninsured population will jump 112%, from 304,000 to 676,000;
• People with pre-existing conditions will be denied coverage.

 
The Democrats’ bill is a collection of targeted improvements to the ACA that the majority of the party supports, including:

• Lower premiums, expanded coverage;
• Protections for people with pre-existing conditions;
• Required outreach and help enrolling during open season.

By introducing this bill so quickly, Democrats have reminded voters which party advocates for health care as a basic human right.  And by endangering the ACA, the Administration has reminded voters that life without any ACA is a very real threat.
 
MESSAGE for Senators Wyden & Merkley:
I’m calling/writing to urge the Senator to publicly condemn the DOJ decision to ask the courts to declare the ACA unconstitutional, and to support companion legislation in the Senate to strengthen the ACA. [Describe how the ACA benefits you.]
 
For Rep. Walden:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to publicly condemn the DOJ decision to ask the courts to declare the ACA unconstitutional. I also ask that Mr. Walden to co-sponsor legislation in the House to strengthen the ACA. [Describe how the ACA benefits you.]

3/26   Statewide Coordinated Call to Action: Release Full Mueller Report
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.

I'm calling/writing to urge the [Senator/Congressperson] to do everything he can to make the full Mueller report public. Second-hand conclusions and summaries are insufficient, especially when AG Barr is playing politics by gratuitously opining on the obstruction-of-justice issue.
Full disclosure of the report is necessary for several other important reasons:

• It can end the speculation about Trump and Russia.
• It may provide us with a better understanding of Russia’s attack on the 2016 election, which would allow us to harden our voting infrastructure and strengthen public trust in the results of the 2020 election.
• We need to compare the Mueller report against the Trump/Russia stories in the mainstream media. These stories are now strikingly out of sync with the Barr summary, and threaten to undermine confidence in journalism.

For all of these reasons, I strongly urge the [Senator/Congressperson] to do everything he can to make the full Mueller report public.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT ASK:
Submit your comments in writing to AG Barr here: https://www.justice.gov/contact-us?mc_cid=d7984cd0d2&mc_eid=8a7d9c99ef , or call 202-353-1555.

3/19   YES on Driver’s License Bill!
Call/write your 2 state reps - contact info above.

MESSAGE
I’m calling/writing to urge you to vote YES on HB 2015, the Equal Access to Road Act, which will provide standard Oregon licenses to all drivers who can meet the requirements to drive (age, pass driving test), regardless of their citizenship or immigration status.

For years, immigrants in our state have been put in an impossible position: either choose to drive without a license and risk arrest and deportation, or choose not to drive and be unable to provide for themselves and their family. They also can not get car insurance without a valid license, which is bad for ALL drivers. Note that a standard license is not a path to citizenship or voting – those “arguments” are nonsense. It simply lets people drive legally and buy insurance.

And it would be helpful if you would also SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS here: https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2019R1/Committees/JCT/Overview

3/14 NO to citizen question on census
Largely because of activist pressure, a federal court ruled against Trump’s proposed inclusion of a citizenship question on the upcoming census. The Trump administration has appealed, and the Supreme Court will take up the case next month.

Our pressure was critical to the previous court decision, and it is now too. We have only until this Friday, March 15, to submit public comments. Submit your comment now at the link below.

MESSAGE:
I strongly urge the Commerce Department to remove the citizenship question on the 2020 census. The census is used to determine political representation and apportion government funds, both of which are highly relevant here in Oregon. A citizenship question would intimidate immigrants, suppress their participation, and further disenfranchise and marginalize them. We need good data to make management and government decisions, and purposefully contaminating the data is wrong and a serious waste of taxpayer resources.

3/12  Support pay equality; End family separation
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Mr./Ms. ___ to co-sponsor the Paycheck Fairness Act, and to work to pass the Keep Families Together Act and the REUNITE Act.

It’s shameful that in this country, in 2019, that we still have such a painful gender disparity in pay. On average, women are paid 80 cents for every dollar men are paid.  The gap is magnified for black women (61 cents) and for Latina women (53 cents). The Paycheck Fairness Act would make it harder to justify pay discrepancies.

Congress must end family separation. Willfully ignoring evidence that family separation is traumatic, and defying court orders to end the practice, the Trump administration continues to separate families as a deterrent tactic. We need the Keep Families Together Act and the REUNITE Act to end these shameful abuses.

3/11   YES on HB 2250, the “Oregon EPA” bill
HB 2250 is Gov. Kate Brown’s cutting edge, Oregon-as-example effort to ensure that Oregon’s standards for clean air and clean water are held to the high standards that were in place before Donald Trump took office.

Call/write your State Representative - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. ___ to vote YES on HB 2250, the Oregon EPA bill. It will protect OR’s standards for air and water quality despite further degradation of standards at the federal level by the Trump administration. It is a basic and common sense protection of hard-fought gains that are essential for human and ecosystem health.

I am sick of Trump’s ongoing assaults on the environment and his drive to sacrifice human health standards for corporate profits. I urge you to vote YES for HB 2250 to protect Oregonians’ water and air quality.

3/8   YES on HB 2623 to Ban Fracking in OR
HB 2623 would ban “fracking” (hydraulic fracturing) in Oregon. It will be up for a vote on the House floor any day now.

Call/write your State Representative - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge Rep. ___ to vote YES on HB 2623, to ban fracking in Oregon. Fracking is used to extract oil and/or natural gas out of the ground to be used as fossil fuel. The fracking process uses millions of gallons of water during the process, creates toxic waste ponds, pollutes groundwater, causes earthquakes/tremors, and releases greenhouse gases into the air, contributing to climate change.

I object to the furthering of a fossil-fuel -based economy; I object to this use of our precious water resources; and I object to the extensive environmental damage created by fracking. Please vote YES on HB 2623 to ban fracking in Oregon.

3/6   Rebuke Walden for NO vote on gun background checks
Rep. Greg Walden voted NO on H.R. 8 — the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. He said NO to updating our background checks law to cover all gun sales and help keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them. Let him know you are NOT HAPPY about that.

1. Write or call him - contact info above.
2. Grrrrrrill him about it at your next town hall.

3/5   Investigate Kushner Security Clearance
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge Mr. [Walden/Merkley/Wyden] as my representative in Congress to investigate the security clearance of Jared Kushner, and other possible questionable clearances issued by the Trump administration. The overriding of professional judgments in issuing high-level security clearances poses a significant threat to our national security. The President’s role in Kushner’s security clearance and his repeated lying about it also represents both nepotism and another dangerous abuse of power.

Related article: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/questions-loom-jared-kushners-security-clearance-house-committee/story?id=61399729

2/28    Kudos for Environmental Champs. Accountability for the Bad Apples.
Last week the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released their 2018 National Environmental Scorecard, which grades Senators and Representatives based on their environmental track-records.  http://scorecard.lcv.org/?state=OR

Our two Senators, Merkley and Wyden, and three of our five Representatives (DeFazio, Blumenauer, and Bonamici) all received scores of 97% for supporting clean energy, protecting our oceans, saving Alaska’s ancient forests, and more. YAY for them!!

Two of our five Representatives did quite poorly - Kurt Schrader, with a score of 63%, and GREG WALDEN, with an abysmal failing score of ONLY 6%.
Let them know you’re watching, and what you think. (Contact info above.)


2/27   Support bold action on climate change & greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon!
Take 2 actions, and see MESSAGE below:

1. Call your state legislators
2. Submit written testimony to jccr.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

MESSAGE:
I support HB2020, the Clean Energy Jobs bill (official title: Oregon Carbon Action Plan), and want state legislators to pass the bill. Climate change is already defining our world, and our children’s and grandchildren’s futures. We need bold action at the state level now, including a cap on carbon, a price on CO2 emissions, and investment in communities most impacted by climate disruption.

For more info: www.reneworegon.org

FEBRUARY
2/26   Statewide Coordinated Action: Call-in day for gun violence legislation!
Call/write your 2 state reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
Gun violence is a crisis in our country and in our state. I feel unsafe in public places and am worried about the safety of my children/grandchildren in school. I urge you as my state [Senator/Representative] to pass gun violence prevention bills this session that accomplish these two critical objectives:

1. Strengthen domestic violence relinquishment (Convicted domestic violence offenders are currently prohibited from buying a gun, but we need stronger control on how and when they have to relinquish guns they already possess.)
2. Encourage responsible storage of firearms with a cable lock, trigger lock, or gun safe. (Owners must be held responsible if their unsecured firearm is accessed by a child or used to cause harm.)

2/25   Call Walden: Vote YES on upcoming HR8, the background check bill

Rep. Walden (202) 225-6730; https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me ; www.stampslicked.org

MESSAGE:
Gun violence is a crisis in our country and I want Congress to put a stop to it. I feel unsafe in public places and am worried about the safety of my children/grandchildren in school. I’m calling to urge Rep. Walden to vote YES on HR 8, the universal background check bill. More than 90 percent of Americans support the idea, including a majority of Democrats, Independents, Republicans, and even gun owners.

Mr. Walden, please note this is a very bipartisan bill. Also note that the killing is very nonpartisan. 1200 children #SinceParkland! Never mind your support from the NRA - we need you to vote YES on HR8.


2/21 Call to Action: Demand Release of Full Mueller Report
The Mueller investigation may be finished soon, and there is reason for concern that its publication will be suppressed.
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
Several news sources are saying that the Mueller report may be turned in next week. I believe that the report must be made public to preserve public trust. I’m calling as a constituent to urge Mr. [Walden/Merkley/Wyden] to do everything possible to make the report public, except for necessary redactions of methods and sources.

2/19 Statewide Coordinated CTA: Resolution to Terminate Fake Emergency
Call/write our 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE for Merkley, Wyden:
I’m calling to urge the Senator to reject Trump’s fake emergency, and to call for hearings and investigations into Trump’s illegal power grab. Trump’s declaration of a fake emergency is an authoritarian abuse of power. Congress has an obligation to check Executive Branch abuses. I’m calling on the Senator to protect our democracy by passing a resolution to terminate the phony emergency using provisions of the National Emergency Act.

MESSAGE for Walden:
I appreciate Mr. Walden’s statement objecting to Trump fake’s emergency and to Trump’s attempt to usurp Congress’ authority. I am calling to urge Mr. Walden to fulfill Congress’ obligation to check Executive Branch abuses by voting in favor of a resolution to terminate the phony emergency using provisions of the National Emergency Act. It is not enough to simply object. I am counting on Mr. Walden to use his vote to protect our democracy. We constituents will be watching closely.

2/18  Good on Walden; Now ACT.
Walden “strongly objects” to Trump’s fake emergency power/$$ grab. Good! Now encourage him to act.
Call/write Walden: Rep. Walden (202) 225-6730; https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me ; www.stampslicked.org
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to thank Mr. Walden for his statement objecting to Trump’s fake emergency power grab from Congress, and to urge him to ACT on it. I want him to

1. Vote for a congressional resolution to terminate the fake emergency, and
2. Support hearings and investigations into Trump's abuse of power.

[FYI, here’s the text of Walden’s FB post of 2/15: “The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse. Just as I opposed President Obama’s spending of taxpayer dollars without Congressional authorization, today’s action by President Trump raises serious concerns about the Constitution’s separation of powers. While I consistently support efforts to strengthen border security -- and voted just yesterday for additional physical barriers on our southern border that President Trump requested -- I am deeply concerned about the precedent that this action sets. Congress has granted the executive branch certain spending authorities. I strongly object to any president acting outside of those explicit authorities to spend money that Congress has not appropriated for specific initiatives.”]

2/12   Statewide Coordinated Action: No wall money; No separation of families.
Call/write your 3 fed reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge you as my representative to pass a spending bill with no money for the wall. Trump’s wall mania is ridiculous and simple-minded, and fails to address our immigration and security needs.
I also call on you to lead your colleagues in Congress to put a stop to and to investigate the separation of families at the border. This cruelty is not who we are or want to be as Americans.

2/8   Support Strong Gun Safety Legislation
Call/write your 3 fed reps -  - contact info above.

For Merkley & Wyden
I’m calling/writing to thank the Senator for co-sponsoring the Background Check Expansion Act, and to urge him to work to overcome the intense opposition to it that is expected in the Senate. Gun violence is a true national crisis in our country. I am not safe in my community and my children/grandchildren are not safe in their schools. I urge the Senator to continue to work to protect us constituents from gun violence by pushing for comprehensive gun safety legislation.

For Walden
I’m calling/writing to urge Rep. Walden to put the lives and safety of his constituents first by supporting HR 8, the gun safety legislation currently before the House. Gun violence is a true national crisis in our country. I am not safe in my community and my children/grandchildren are not safe in their schools.
It is time for Mr. Walden to stop accepting money from the NRA and other gun industry lobbies, and act for the safety of us constituents.

2/7 Support strong oil-train protections
Call/write your 2 state reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I'm calling / writing to urge you to support passage of strong oil train emergency response measures included in House Bill 2858 and Senate Bill 99. Please oppose or work to amend HB 2209, which is scheduled for a hearing on February 7 in the House Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Committee, as it omits critical protections.

It’s an embarrassment that Oregon has the weakest laws on the West Coast related to oil train emergency response, endangering OR communities, waterways and protected areas such as here in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. S.B. 99 and H.B. 2858 would bring OR laws in line with California and Washington and provide much-needed protections. H.B. 2209 is lacking key elements necessary to protect our communities and waterways from oil train derailments and spills, and would only be acceptable with the following changes (already in S.B. 99 and H.B. 2858):

• Strong rule-making authority for the Environmental Quality Commission for review and approval of contingency plans and training for oil train-related spills. 
• Fees on railroads to improve oil spill response and establish funding for emergency preparedness. 
• Adequate insurance for railroads to cover true worst-case oil train derailments and oil spills. (HB 2209 only requires insurance for damages resulting from a spill and fire of 15% of the capacity of an oil train.)
• 24-hour notice for oil trains passing through Oregon to allow emergency responders to prepare.

I urge you to protect me and my community by supporting strong oil train legislation this session.

2/6 Statewide Coordinated Action: Call for Bold Climate Action in Oregon!
Call/write your 2 state reps - contact info above.
MESSAGE:
I’m calling to urge ­­­­_[Sen/Rep]____ to support strong climate legislation when it comes up for a vote in the 2019 session. I support:

• A declining cap and trade plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
• Linking Oregon to the Western Climate Initiative,and
• Creating a level playing field for clean energy and boosting jobs in that industry.

We in Oregon have a chance to lead the nation on this CRITICAL issue. I ask that you please support bold climate action for the future of Oregon and the planet.

2/5 Statewide Coordinated Call to Action: State of our Union must be Strong & Just
Call/write our 3 reps - contact info above. 

For Merkley & Wyden:
I’m calling to urge the Senator to ensure the State of our Union is strong and Just. I urge him to

• Pass a spending bill with NO money for the wall,
• Investigate and stop family separation at the border, and
• Expand voting rights by passing Merkley’s HR1 Senate companion bill.

For Walden:
I’m calling to urge the Senator to ensure the State of our Union is strong and Just. I demand that Mr. Walden

• Pass a spending bill with NO money for the wall,
• Stop and investigate family separation at the border, and
• Expand voting rights by passing HR1.

JANUARY
1/31   Release full Mueller Report
There are significant bipartisan concerns about Attorney General nominee Barr wanting to suppress the findings of the Mueller report. Dems in Congress are putting the brakes on Barr’s confirmation hearings and calling for more investigation into Barr’s commitment to release Mueller’s report.

Oregon’s Senators have been clear: Wyden vowed to lead in the Senate to make the report public. Merkley demanded that the Congress must see the report in its entirety. Mr. Walden has been silent.

Call/write our 3 federal reps - contact info above.
For Wyden
I’m calling to thank the Senator for promising to lead a floor fight if Special Counsel Mueller’s report is not released to Congress and the public.  I ask the Senator to:

1. vote against William Barr’s confirmation as Attorney General unless he commits to releasing the Mueller report to the public with no redactions beyond sources and methods, and
2. work to pass legislation to make sure the Mueller report is released to the public.

For Merkley
I’m calling to thank Sen. Merkley for insisting that the Mueller report is released to Congress “unfiltered.” But I also want the public to receive a full report, and ask the Senator to go further by:

1. voting against William Barr’s confirmation as Attorney General unless he commits to releasing the Mueller report to the public with no redactions beyond sources and methods, and
2. working to pass legislation to make sure the Mueller report is released to the public.
   
   

For Walden
I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to do everything possible as a House Member to ensure release of the Mueller report to the public when it is final. This issue transcends party lines. The American public wants and needs to know exactly what the investigation has learned in order to restore faith in the democratic process. Any attempt to suppress the full, unfiltered investigation report will be met with a fierce opposition. I ask that Mr. Walden declare immediately where he stands on this issue.

1/29 Statewide Coordinated Call to Action: Hold against the Wall; Pass immigration reform
Our calls helped end shutdown, but fight’s not over yet. We need Congress to reject Trump’s wall, to fund the government for the year, and to enact real immigration reform.

Call/write our 3 federal reps - contact info above.
For Merkley & Wyden:
I’m calling to urge the Senator to:

• push for full government funding for the year with NO money for a wall,
• tell the Senate’s Conference Committee to focus on real border security problems
• urge the Conference Committee to create permanency for DACA recipients and TPS (temporary protection status) holders.

For Walden:
Now is the time for comprehensive immigration reform. I’m calling to urge Rep. Walden to pass border security legislation that

• has no wall money,
• funds more border agents and immigration judges, and
• uses tech tools to improve border security.

I also urge Mr. Walden to author and find co-sponsors for legislation to create permanency for DACA recipients and TPS holders.

1/28   Hold to NO wall funding; Get fed contractors paid
Call/write our 3 federal reps - contact info above.
For Merkley and Wyden:
I’m calling to thank the Senator for voting to reopen the government with no wall funding, and for passing the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act.* I ask that he
1) continue to hold firm against any measures that would provide wall funding, and
2) ensure that federal contractors who have not been paid for over a month be made whole by passing reciprocal legislation to HR 339, the Low-Wage Federal Contractor Employee Back Pay Act.

For Walden:
I’m calling to thank Mr. Walden for voting to reopen the government with no wall funding and for passing the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act*. I ask that he
1) continue to hold firm against any measures that would provide wall funding, because it would be wasteful and ineffective, and
2) ensure that federal contractors who have not been paid for over a month be made whole by passing HR 339, the Low-Wage Federal Contractor Employee Back Pay Act.

* The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act was passed recently by both houses of Congress, and signed into law by tRump. It provides pack pay for all federal employees, but not contractors.

1/23 National Call Day to End the Shutdown: Call to end the shutdown with no wall funding.
Call/write our 3 federal reps - contact info above.

1/22   Statewide Coordinated Call To Action: Investigate Trump’s Relationship with Putin
Call/write our 3 federal reps - contact info above.
For Wyden & Merkley:
I’m calling because I’m concerned about the national security threat posed by Trump. He acts in ways that benefit Russia’s interests and is seeking to destroy NATO. It’s a matter of national security for us to find out why Trump appears beholden to Putin. I urge you to
1) call for an immediate investigation into this threat to our democracy, and
2) pass SJ Res 62, opposing withdrawal from NATO and to authorizing a lawsuit if Trump attempts to do so.

For Walden:
I’m calling because I’m concerned about the national security threat posed by Trump. He acts in ways that benefit Russia’s interests and is seeking to destroy NATO. It’s a matter of national security for us to find out why Trump appears beholden to Putin. I urge you to put country before party. Please work to end the shutdown, and call for an immediate investigation into this threat to our democracy.

1/21  Tell McConnell to pass House bill reopening government.
The Republican shutdown continues to drag on - a month today. With each passing day, more and more people are affected, and the repercussions grow deeper and are more painful. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked a new effort to pass a bill to reopen the government in the Senate.

Email Mitch McConnell with your !@#$@#$%! comments, and urge him to pass the original House bill: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact?p=ContactForm

1/17  Close the National Parks until proper staffing is back.
Call or write Acting Secr. of Interior David Bernhardt (202) 208-3100, option 3; feedback@ios.doi.gov
Call or write Rep. Walden (202) 225-6730; https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me

For Bernhardt:
We have a crisis in our national parks because of Trump’s government shutdown. Keeping the parks open without proper staffing is damaging our national heritage. Please close the parks until they are properly staffed again.

For Walden:
We have a crisis in our national parks because of Trump’s government shutdown. Keeping the parks open without proper staffing is damaging our national heritage. Please lead in Congress to demand that Trump close the parks until they are properly staffed again.

1/15   End the shutdown; fix the aftermath.
Call/write our 3 federal reps - contact info above.
For Merkley:
I thank the Senator for shining a light on the Tornillo prison camp which led to its closing.  I ask the Senator to pressure Mitch McConnell to do his job and reopen the government with NO money for the wall.  After the government has reopened, I asked the Senator to
1) reintroduce and work for passage of the REUNITE Act and the Families Not Facilities Act, and
2) reinstate Temporary Protected Status for those harmed by this administration.

For Wyden:
I’m very worried about the shutdown and what is going on at the border. I ask the Senator to pressure Mitch McConnell to do his job and reopen the government with NO money for the wall. After the government has reopened, I ask the Senator to
1) reintroduce and work for passage of the REUNITE Act and the Families Not Facilities Act, and
2) reinstate Temporary Protected Status for those harmed by this administration.

For Walden:
I’m very worried about the shutdown and what is going on at the border. I ask the Representative to keep pressing for the government to reopen with NO money for the wall. After the government is reopened, I ask the Rep to
1) call for Steve King to be censured for his racist remarks, and
2) reintroduce and work for passage of the REUNITE Act and the Families Not Facilities Act, and
3) reinstate Temporary Protected Status for those harmed by this administration.

1/11  Call or write Walden: Support Background Checks legislation
Rep. Walden  (202) 225-6730; https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
 
I’m calling to urge Rep. Walden in the strongest possible way to support the House bill calling for background checks on gun sales. Why? Because it will save lives. The current federal law on background checks has a significant loophole that excludes many gun sellers. The proposed bill would require background checks on the purchases of nearly all firearms, including those sold at gun shows and over the internet.
 
Gun violence takes a heavy toll in deaths, injury, anguish, and fear in this country. Polls have shown that a vast majority of Americans support universal background checks for all gun purchases. I urge Mr. Walden to support the proposed legislation fully for our safety and that of our children.
 
1/8   Support HR-1 for campaign finance, ethics, and voting rights reforms
Call/write our 3 federal reps - contact info above.
For Wyden:
I expect to see the Senate govern this year. I ask the Senator to vow not to vote on any Senate legislation until a bill to reopen the government is brought to a Senate vote. I also ask that he co-sponsor Senator Merkley’s HR1 Senate companion bill.
 
For Merkley:
I expect to see the Senate govern this year. I thank the Senator for vowing not to vote on any Senate legislation until a bill to reopen the government is brought to a Senate vote. I ask that he work to get all his fellow Democratic Senators to do the same. I also want to thank the Senator for introducing a Senate companion bill to HR1.
 
For Walden:
I expect to see the House of Representatives govern this year. I urge Mr. Walden to work with Speaker Pelosi to pass HR 1 immediately with no watering down of its provisions, and to work to pass individual appropriation bills to reopen the government. He has shown recently that he’s open to voting with the Democrats, putting Country Before Party. I’m watching to see if he continues to do the right thing.
 
BACKGROUND:
HR1 is a sweeping opening salvo from the Democratic House leadership.  It seeks to address dangers to our democracy that have gone too long unchecked:

• Campaign finance reform – public financing of campaigns with small donations, support to end Citizen United
• Ethics reform – release of tax returns by Presidential candidates, new ethics code for US Supreme Court
• Voting rights reform – national automatic voter registration, election day a national holiday, ending federal gerrymandering, increasing election security.

 
Senator Wyden and Congressman Blumenauer are expanding on HR1 with a National Vote By Mail bill. Senator Merkley is introducing a companion to HR1 in the Senate.
 
ARTICLES:
House Democrats officially unveil their first bill in the majority: a sweeping anti-corruption proposal
Wyden, Blumenauer Introduce Vote-by-Mail Bill to Fight Growing Tide of Voter Suppression
Udall, Merkley Applaud House Democrats’ Introduction of Sweeping Democracy Reform Package
[credit to Indivisible Oregon]
 
1/7   Stop Trump’s Dangerous Power Grab
Call/write our 3 federal reps - contact info above.
For Wyden and Merkley:
I am calling to express my strong ergsupport for the Senator’s position of no money for the wall. But I am concerned about the threat to our democracy if Trump declares a fake emency just to get what wants. I ask the Senator to denounce Trump’s power grab ferociously, and to block consideration of any bills unrelated to opening the government until a vote is held to reopen the government.
 
For Walden:
I’m calling to express my strong support for ending the shutdown with no money for the wall, and for HR 1. But I am concerned about the threat to our democracy if Trump declares a fake emergency just to get what wants. I urge Mr. Walden to denounce Trump’s power grab ferociously, and to work to pass HR 1 immediately. T
 
Background:
Trump has threatened to declare a national emergency if he doesn’t get the wall. That is a VERY dangerous power grab because hundreds of unique powers would become available to him. In an actual national emergency, Trump would have the power to:

• Control public communications including the Internet.
• Detain “suspicious” people and deny them their civil rights.
• Freeze bank accounts and much, much more.

 
Such “emergency” powers have been misused in the Philippines and Turkey to establish dictatorships. In the US they could quickly and legally unravel our democracy.
Some checks exist to prevent abuse but, at the moment, they all depend on Republicans in Congress and the Supreme Court rising above conservative politics.
 
We need to immediately restore a functioning government – without paying Trump’s ransom demand. And our MoCs must ferociously fight moves toward a fake national emergency. Crush this threat now.
 
(credit to Indivisible Oregon)

2018

12/17   Call our MoC's re: Child Detention Sites

"My name is [Name]. I am a constituent and I and live in ZIP code [number]. I urge the Senator/Representative to
 
1) write a letter like U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Lucille Roybal-Allard’s to end the contracts for these child prisons, especially the $144 million Tornillo tent camp; and
2) investigate 7-year-old Jakelin Caal’s death and other abuses at the border in the new Congress.”
 
Rep. Greg Walden (202) 225-6730
Sen. Ron Wyden (202) 224-5244
Sen. Jeff Merkley (202) 224-3753


12/14   Call our MoC's: No New $$ for Trump's Wall

Funding for a large part of the government expires on December 21, and Trump is threatening to shut it down if he doesn’t get $5 billion for his wall. 
 
Call Merkley, Wyden and Walden and urge them to not agree to any new money for Trump’s wall:
 
“I’m calling to make it clear that I don’t want any additional federal money allocated for the Trump memorial  wall. I urge you to avert a shutdown and deny Trump his wall funding by passing a year-long continuing resolution that funds the Department of Homeland Security.”
 
Rep. Greg Walden  (202) 225-6730
Sen. Ron Wyden  (202) 224-5244
Sen. Jeff Merkley  (202) 224-3753


12/3   Call Walden (202-225-6730) re: Support HR 7173 (price on GHG emissions)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to support HR 7173, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2018, a bipartisan bill recently introduced which establishes a fee for each ton of greenhouse gas emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels at major sources of pollution. The bill is a bold step forward in advancing a serious set of legislative solutions to climate change ahead of the next session of Congress. We desperately need action on on climate change! Will Rep. Walden support this bill?
 
Do you tweet? Example:
@RepTedDeutch, @RepBrianFitz @RepJohnDelaney, @RepRooney, & @RepCharlieCrist are leading on bipartisan HR7173, creating a fee for greenhouse gas emitted from fossil fuels combustion at major point sources. Intelligent, economically sound. @RepGregWalden??? 

​November 2018

11/5   Mueller Investigation: Be Ready to Act

“Now that the special prosecutor’s quiet period is nearly over, many Russia-scandal observers expect dramatic news from the long-silent investigation.”
 
Most political analysts expect there will be prominent announcements from the Mueller investigation immediately after the elections. In addition, there may be a quick shake-up in the leadership of the Department of Justice. Depending on the circumstances, our long-standing response alert may be triggered. This graphic shows the current triggers for nationwide demonstrations (organized by Indivisible and the Nobody is Above the Law campaign):
 
Read more here: Election Aftermath & The Mueller Investigation
 

​October 2018

10/2   Call Walden (202-225-6730) re: Your Interest in Russia

I am calling to ask Mr. Walden about his many votes in 2017 to stop, undermine, and/or defund the investigation of Russian interference in our 2016 elections:

H Res 600, Vote #600, 11/2/17; H Res 442, Committee On Financial Services, Vote FC-72, 7/25/17; H Res 446, Committee on the Judiciary, Vote 18, 7/26/17; House Budget Committee, Committee Vote, 7/19/17; House Appropriations Committee, Committee Vote, 7/13/17; Appropriations Committee, Committee Vote, 7/13/17; H Res 375, Vote #290, 6/7/17;H Res 374, Vote #288, 6/7/17; House Rules Committee, Committee Vote, 5/16/17; H Res 323, Vote #259, 5/17/17; H Res 235, Homeland Security Committee, Committee Vote, 4/5/17; HR 1343, Vote #215, 4/4/17; H Res 233, Vote #203, 3/29/17; Committee On The Judiciary, Vote 4, 3/29/17; H Res 184, Committee On The Judiciary, Vote 2, 3/29/17; H Res 229, Vote #197, 3/28/17; H Res 156, Vote #115, 3/1/17; H Res 111, Committee On The Judiciary, Vote 17, 2/28/17; H Res 123, Vote #93, 2/15/17; H Res 116, Vote #90, 2/14/17; HR 33, Vote #26, 1/10/17.
 
Mr. Walden was supposed to be working on behalf of his constituents here in CD2. So why was he spending all that time and effort on a subject that would not in ANY WAY benefit his constituents? (Actually, can Mr. Walden tell me of any way in which we constituents or any Americans would be served by NOT learning about a foreign political adversary attacking us?)
 
Mr. Walden clearly had something on his mind, and it wasn’t us constituents. In what way was he threatened by the growing interest in Russian interference? Was Russian money flowing to Republican campaigns through the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, of which Mr. Walden was the Chair? 
 
I’d like to hear some explaining on this from Mr. Walden. 

​September 2018

 9/27    Call Walden (202-225-6730) re: Your Fiscal Irresponsibility

I’m calling to ask Mr. Walden what he’s planning to do about the interest rate problem on the now astronomical federal deficit that he helped create with his tax cuts for the wealthy. I’ve read that by 2020, the US will spend more on interest than we do on kids, including education, food stamps and aid to families. It will also be more than we spend on Medicaid. And soon after 2020, it will be even more than we spend on the military.
 
This is going to cause all sorts of problems  -  for example, not enough money to address crumbling infrastructure around the country,  and the government not having the flexibility to respond to economic slowing with change in monetary policy.
 
Republicans in Congress and Trump’s economic advisers have already stated they plan respond by with spending cuts  -  “reforming [slashing] entitlements,” including Medicare and Social Security. Does Mr. Walden have any OTHER plans for bailing out this fiscal screw-up?

Related article.


9/23    LTE Challenge; "Save Earned Benefits"

Use the ideas in the following Letter-to-the-Editor to craft your own LTE, and send it in to your paper today!
 
"Save Earned Benefits"

Larry Kudlow, Trump’s chief economic advisor, confirmed in an interview recently that the Trump administration will "probably" address reform of "larger entitlements" next year. Uh oh. A lot of problems here.
 
We’ve been hearing since Walden and his Republican colleagues passed the TaxScam legislation last year that the intent was for the Republicans to later call for cuts to Medicare and Social Security in order to pay for the loss of tax revenue. Well, here it is.
 
Walden’s TaxScam cuts are projected to add over $100 TRILLION to the federal budget deficit. Republicans have long wanted to slash Medicare and Social Security, and they have produced a reason to justify it - the now staggering federal deficit. Brilliantly, Kudlow states “we [now] have to be tougher on spending."
 
And about that idea of “entitlement reform” being pushed by Walden and colleagues. Medicare and Social Security are not government giveaways. They are not optional largesse provided by a benevolent Big Brother. They are earned benefits, paid into by hard-working Americans their whole lives.
 
Note the timing for the slashing of these earned benefits - after the November elections. What politician would want to propose that and then ask constituents to vote for him? In his election-season posturing and self-congratulating, Mr. Walden seems to have forgotten to mention this “entitlement reform” plan he’s been working on.

The GOOD news here is that we can change the ball game by our votes in November. Social Security and Medicare are on the line in November's midterms. If you don’t like the idea of your earned benefits being slashed to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy, vote for change.

Mr. Walden is at fault for having voted for the TaxScam, and he will be at fault if he has a chance to vote in favor of “entitlement reform” to pay for it. We can and must take that chance away. Vote for Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Congress.


9/20    Call Walden (202-225-6730) re: Fight against tariffs

I’m calling to ask what Rep. Walden is doing to rein in Trump’s ego-driven tariff war with China.
 
Trump has slapped on $200 billion in tariffs, affecting heavy equipment and a wide variety of consumer items. Prices for these goods are already rising, and will continue to through the new year. Trump is planning another $267 billion in tariffs in the next week or tow, which will cover virtually every item of imports we get from China.
 
This is a largely agricultural district. Farmers are losing their markets as a result of the tariffs. Once lost, markets are very hard to regain. Walden, who is supposed to be representing our interests, is nowhere to be seen or heard here. It would require standing up to Trump. It would require listening to constituents for whom he no longer has time.
 
The $12 billion handout to farmer promised by Trump is NOT what is wanted by farmers. They want their markets restored. They want a future for their farms and their way of life. They want to continue to farm, to harvest, to sell, to live independently and self-reliantly.
 
Where is Mr. Walden, and when can we speak with him about this? We have a lot to say.
 
Related article.


9/17    LTE Challenge  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730), tell him to read it in the paper

Use the ideas in the following dynamite Letter-to-the-Editor to craft your own LTE, and send it in to your paper today!
 
(LTE written by John Lamoreau, a former Union County commissioner who lives in La Grande, and published in the Portland Oregonian eEdition 9/15/18)
 
I live in Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District. I have served as an elected Republican County Commissioner and, in the past, have raised thousands of dollars for U.S. Rep. Greg Walden. My oldest son interned for him in Washington, D.C.
 
 I like Greg, but I can no longer vote for him.
 
 I doubt that the Greg Walden of 1998 would vote for the Walden of 2018, either, based on his recent voting record. Here’s why: Six years ago, Walden wrote, "It’s time for government to tighten its belt and balance its budget just like families and small businesses do every month. We can’t afford more of the same."
 
 When Walden took office, the national debt was $5.5 trillion. Today, it is more than $20 trillion. He voted for a 2018 budget that has a projected $833 billion deficit. Our children and grandchildren will spend lifetimes paying off the bills that Walden has helped accumulate while endangering programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
 
 Walden also voted against senior citizens and families, and in favor of increasing medical costs. Since 2010, the cost of health care for a family of four has skyrocketed. Walden voted against giving seniors the option of buying less expensive medications from Canada. He wrote the legislation that would penalize Oregonians who had pre-existing conditions. No member of Congress received more political action committee money from the pharmaceutical/health products industry than Walden during the current election cycle.
 
 He has voted for those political action committees, not his constituents.
 
 The opioid crisis also happened under Walden’s watch, while he was taking money from the companies that make the drugs. He chairs the House Committee that oversees the health care industry. That’s why they have generously
 
 donated to him. And Walden has delivered. He watched drug companies get wealthy selling opioids as drug overdose became the leading cause of death of Americans under the age of 50.
 
 And Walden is no longer accessible to the citizens in his district. The 1998 Walden was accessible. There were meetings and forums open to the public. The 2018 Walden no longer holds public forums. We now read about him appearing at private meetings the day after those meetings took place. The only recent meeting that was advertised in advance was a fundraiser held outside of his district. The cost to attend this fundraiser started at $2,500 a person. I now only see my congressman on billboards paid for by out-of-state political action committees.
 
 Oregon needs a change. Walden has had 20 years in office. The national debt has grown. America has the most expensive health care in the world. The opioid crisis has affected all of our communities. Open meetings with our congressman no longer happen.
 
 I just recently called Jamie McLeod-Skinner. She answered the phone. That is something Greg Walden doesn’t do anymore. Jamie has my vote.

9/6    Enabling Corruption  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to create anti-corruption legislation in the House that mirrors Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act (S.3357).
 
The brazen corruption of Trump and his administration is an embarrassment to our country and a serious injury to our democracy. That this is being enabled by Mr. Walden and his Republicans colleagues in Congress is utterly incomprehensible.
 
Many Trump aides have left in disgrace. Several Cabinet members have resigned over allegations of corruption; others are being investigated for ethics transgressions. Manafort, Cohen, Flynn, Gates, Papadopoulos, all close Trump associates, are now convicted felons, and others like Collins and Hunter are linked to criminal wrongdoings although not yet convicted.
 
Trump himself has been implicated in illegal business dealings and campaign financing, bribery, tax fraud, conspiring with a hostile foreign power, and obstruction of justice. He uses his position to punish adversaries and to advance personal business dealings, and actively discourages the system of checks and balances created by our Constitution.
 
Because of all of this, and particularly because Mr. Walden and his congressional allies have chosen to enable this corruption, we need wide-ranging anti-corruption legislation such as S.3357 introduced in the Senate by Senator Elizabeth Warren.
 
I urge Mr. Walden to finally speak out against this outrageous corruption, and create anti-corruption legislation in the House that mirrors Sen. Warren’s bill S.3357.
 
Related article.

​
9/3    Reauthorize the LWCF  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) with full and dedicated funding.
 
The LWCF has been protecting important land, water, and recreation areas in every state and every part of the country for the last 52 years. It’s due to expire on September 30, so we need Congress to act now.
 
We are blessed to have a system of public lands that provides extensive recreational, health, and aesthetic benefits for all Americans. Maintaining and protecting these lands and waters has long been a bipartisan commitment, and needs to be continued.
 
I urge Mr. Walden to push his colleagues in Congress to permanently reauthorize and fund the LWCF now.
 
Related article.

​August 2018

8/30   Inaction on Child Separation  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to ask for an update on what Mr. Walden is doing to end the child separation caused by the Trump Administration.
 
The powerful congressional committee that Mr. Walden chairs, Energy and Commerce, has oversight of the family separation crisis, but it has produced no real results. Rep. Greg Walden refuses to use his power to hold the administration accountable for separating families at the border, or to hold the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) accountable for its role in the ongoing fiasco.
 
It is well within his power and the scope of his committee to arrange the most basic form of oversight, a congressional hearing. He has failed to do that, and has failed to either author or co-sponsor legislation to end child separation.
 
As a constituent, I would like to see that my representative is working in a dedicated and constructive way to correct problems like child separation. I don’t see Mr. Walden doing that, or filling the basic responsibilities of his role as Chair of Energy and Commerce.
 
Related article.


8/23   Pass HR 6545, Reauthorizing VAWA  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to vote YES on H.R.6545, reauthorizing VAWA (Violence Against Women Act).
 
VAWA, initially passed in 1994, is set to expire on September 30th unless Congress passes a reauthorization bill. HR 6545 not only reauthorizes funding for VAWA's existing programs, but establishes new policies to help abuse victims remain in stable housing, expand red-flag laws to block people convicted of dating abuse or stalking accessing guns, and broaden protections against abuse for Native American women.
 
VAWA has gone through reauthorizations before, with bipartisan support. So far, not a single Republican has co-sponsored the current reauthorization bill.
 
I urge Rep. Walden to stand up for women and reauthorize VAWA.
 
Related article.

​
8/22   Pass HR 6649, Prohibiting  Downloadable Guns  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to co-sponsor and pass H.R. 6649, which would prohibit the posting of dangerous downloadable gun blueprints online.
 
The Trump Administration recently allowed a private company to distribute online the computer code that anyone with a 3D printer can use to automatically print their own untraceable guns. This is an incredibly dangerous move that would enable people who are legally prohibited from having guns, like terrorists, felons and domestic abusers, to easily print them at home. According to a recent Axios poll, more than 80 percent of Americans — both Democrats and Republicans alike — oppose the online distribution of these blueprints, precisely because of the real threat these undetectable and untraceable guns pose to law enforcement and public safety.
 
Thankfully, a temporary court order is currently blocking the distribution of these downloadable guns. Hopefully the court will continue to side with public safety. But Congress can and must act to stop this threat permanently by passing legislation to block the distribution of these and all other downloadable gun blueprints.
 
I urge Rep. Walden to protect us constituents from the threat of downloadable guns by co-sponsoring and passing H.R. 6649.


8/16   Opioid Conflict of Interest  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to thank Mr. Walden for taking some interest in the opioid crisis, and for his Energy & Commerce Committee investigating opioid manufacturers and distributors. This IS a public health crisis and it DOES need to be addressed, especially since it’s been increasing in magnitude ever since Walden took office in 1999.
 
I am more than a little concerned, however, about two things. First, why has it taken until an election year where he has a credible challenger for him to take an interest in the opioid crisis? And second, Mr. Walden’s generous support from the pharmaceutical industry represents a significant conflict of interest. Finance records show that while his Energy & Commerce Committee has been investigating opioid manufacturers and distributors, his campaign has accepted tens of thousands of dollars in donations from them.
 
I urge Mr. Walden to return all campaign contributions from pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, and to refuse to accept any more. How insulting, unprofessional, and unethical to assume this is acceptable behavior for an elected official.


8/7   Protect Our Elections  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to demand that Congress respond immediately and comprehensively at the federal level to the threat of Russian interference in the mid-term elections.
 
Trump’s top national security officials are sounding the alarm in D.C. and warning of likely interference. The possibilities they list are numerous and credible  -  suppressing turnout, making voting more difficult by polling place misinformation or voting slowdown or equipment failures, tampering with election machines or the tabulation of votes, etc.
 
James Miller, secretary of defense under Obama, warns that any evidence of interference in an election, even in a small number of races, “would undermine confidence in electoral tallies across the board and cause a political crisis.”
 
Trump is refusing to respond to the experts’ warnings, and continues to voice doubts about Russia’s involvement even in the 2016 elections. And Mr. Walden and his colleagues are doing essentially nothing.
 
Congress did set aside $380 million last March to help states bolster election security measures. States’ uses of the funds vary, and at least five states still don’t even have voting machines with paper trails that can be audited. This is all the interest the federal government has mustered, between Trump’s refusal and the Republic Congress’ lack of cojones for oversight.
 
We have heard nothing – NOTHING – from Rep. Greg Walden, either condemning Trump’s inaction or driving a tech response at the federal level. Mr. Walden’s oath of office is to protect and defend the Constitution and the American people, but he is doing and saying nothing.
 
Mr. Walden talks a lot about leadership and has shown none when it counts. What could possibly be more basic than defending our elections and our democracy?
 
I’d like to hear from Mr. Walden what he is planning to do to counteract the threat of Russian interference between now and November.
 
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-08/hackers-already-attacking-midterm-elections-raising-u-s-alarms


8/6   Act on Climate Change  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to commit to taking action on climate change. It is supposed to be 107 degrees here in Hood River over the next week. We are on our way to having possibly hottest summer on record. Our landscape in on fire, our farmers are hurting, and similar catastrophes are occurring all over the map.

Any thinking person understands this is climate change, and it’s going to continue to worsen.
 
I know Mr. Walden does not deny climate change like some of his Republican colleagues. He has acknowledged its existence and commented on the need for action on a number of occasions. But, incomprehensibly, he has a consistent record in Congress of doing absolutely nothing about it. He even had the temerity to have meetings and press statements about catastrophic wildfires while in southern Oregon last week, without even MENTIONING the role of climate change. HELLO?!?
 
It is far past time for action at the federal level to fight climate change. Walden’s silence on Trumps’ anti-climate initiatives, and Walden’s own lousy voting history on climate action (casting an anti-climate vote in 39 of the last 40 roll call votes related to taking actions on climate change) are to be condemned,
 
I urge Mr. Walden to get busy on climate action, or get out of the way. Jamie McLeod-Skinner is knowledgeable and anxious to do the job he’s been shirking.
 
https://phys.org/news/2018-06-climate-wildfires.html


8/3   Co-Sponsor HR 6097  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling   to urge Rep. Walden to co-sponsor HR 6097, the State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2018 submitted to Congress last month. This bill allows states to escape the Affordable Care Act, and act on their own to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to state residents.
 
The US has the world’s best hospitals, nurses, and physicians. But many Americans find healthcare inaccessible or too expensive. In contrast, all other industrialized nations offer universal healthcare programs that simplify administration and improve healthcare delivery.
 
HR 6097, the State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2018, gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services discretion to remove federal barriers to state-based universal care plans. The waiver permits states to implement their plans without violating federal law, and exempts states from certain Treasury and IRS administrative requirements.
 
I consider universal healthcare a critical issue, and one that states should be allowed to tackle on their own without the constraints of the ACA and other federal administrative barriers.
 
I urge Mr. Walden to use his leadership position to co-sponsor HR 6097.
 
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/6097
 
 
Background for readers:
 
In June, US Rep. Pramila Jayapal submitted to the HR 6097 to Congress. This legislation is essential if any state or group of states wishes to enact universal healthcare without violating federal law.
 
HR 6097 has five co-sponsors. One of them is Oregon US Rep. Earl Blumenauer.
 
Many states want their own state-based universal healthcare plans. However, a host of current federal regulations impose excessive administrative complexity that makes effective state-based universal plans impossible.
 
The language proposed above (“escaping the ACA” and “constraints of the ACA”) is specifically recommended for pitching HR 6097 to Greg Walden, as getting rid of the ACA remains one of his goals.

​July 2018

7/30   Act Now to Protect from Hanford Contamination

The C Tank Farm at Hanford contains high-level radioactive waste that the US Department of Energy is responsible for cleaning up. In order to shed the burden of cleanup, the DoE has proposed simply reclassifying the waste as low-level waste. With the new label, DoE would be able to leave this highly radioactive waste in Hanford’s tanks, soils, and groundwater, threatening the Columbia River ecosystem, including humans, for generations to come.
 
This preposterous proposal has a public comment period through Sept. 7, 2018. Columbia Riverkeeper has prepared a petition to submit as a public comment, and needs as many signatures as possible.
 
Please act now: http://bit.ly/HanfordpetitionWIRpetition .


7/27   Prohibit Trump from First Nuclear Attack  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Rep. Greg Walden to support H.R. 669, which would prohibit the president from launching a nuclear first strike before Congress has declared war.
 
Currently, President Trump holds the authority to launch nuclear strikes, including first strikes on countries that have not attacked the US. It is critical to enact formal limitation at this time when we have an impulsive, free-wheeling, unstable president at the helm. His out-of-control personal style and comprehensive belligerence on the world stage make him a danger to US citizens and the rest of the world. Trump’s moronic ALL-CAPS tweet-threats to Iran are not only “unimpressive” (Iran’s response); they are dangerous war-mongering.
 
I urge Mr. Walden to come out of hiding and endorse HR 669, in the interests of his constituents here in CD2 and for all Americans.
 
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44973696


7/23   Silent to Protect Himself?  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to ask Mr. Walden how he can possibly stand by silently by while Trump fires one incendiary after another – social, moral, political, “diplomatic,” you name it  -  shaming America, alienating and damaging our allies, and elevating our known enemies.
 
Trump’s treasonous show in Helsinki failed to elicit any comment from Walden about Trump, and no action whatsoever to combat Russian interference. We in CD2 are wondering what is keeping Mr. Walden from speaking up to defend our democracy and take action against Russian interference that he acknowledges. It’s hard to figure out.
 
We’ve been wondering all along why Mr. Walden is trying to protect Trump. Maybe he’s trying to protect himself? Mr. Walden, please come for a town hall. We have lots of questions for you, and August recess is just around the corner.
 
Background for readers:
There’s growing investigative interest in the possible financial interconnections among Maria Butina (recently arrested Russian agent who infiltrated the NRA), the NRA itself (which participated very generou$ly in the 2016 Republican takeover and may have been used by Russia to “push the Republican Party in a more pro-Russian direction”), and the Republican beneficiaries of that 2016 largesse.
 
It seems very likely that Mr. Walden, who was chairman of NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee, the GOP’s campaign funding arm in the House of Representatives) during the last 2 election cycles, might know a great deal about those interconnections.

Related article.

​
7/20   No Reponse to Treason  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to ask Mr. Walden why, in his July 17 “Statement on Russia” he failed to even mention. Trump’s disgraceful and treasonous refusal to acknowledge the Russian attack on our election. 
 
As an American citizen, I am furious and horrified that Trump has refused to acknowledge that Russia is a dangerous enemy, and to act to protect our nation from Russia’s ongoing manipulation. Why has Walden said nothing? 
 
I have a question for Mr. Walden, and I would like a call back with an answer:  Are you with Trump and Putin or are you with the C.I.A, F.B.I. and N.S.A?  We deserve to know where you stand.  Your silence speaks volumes.  


7/17   Rein in Trump's Illegal Communications  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to speak out forcefully in Washington to protect us from Trump’s illegal and dangerous private communications with other world leaders. Trump is known to have been making personal calls on this cell phone to various world leaders, and giving out his cell phone number to them.
 
The Washington Post confirms that “Conversations with world leaders are required by federal records law to be routed through the Situation Room. Such calls are typically heavily prepared for and monitored by the White House; the national security adviser briefs the president, and regional experts provide prepared talking points. The national security adviser then remains by the president's side throughout the call, and a transcript of the call is distributed to key White House aides, who issue a public readout.”
 
Mr. Trump’s actions are off-the-cuff, freewheeling, undiplomatic, highly dangerous, and illegal. The American public, including Walden’s constituents here in CD2, are being endangered by this moronic president, and we need our legislators to speak out and to rein him in.
 
I urge Mr. Walden to intervene on behalf of his constituents to protect our personal and national interests. His oath of office requires this, and for him to continue to shirk his responsibility is unconscionable. 
 
Related article. 


7/13   Protect Coasts from Offshore Drilling  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Rep. Walden to stop new offshore drilling in the Interior funding bill, and to protect waters off the OR coast from President Trump’s federal offshore drilling plans.
 
Trump’s radical offshore drilling plan is a catastrophe waiting to happen for marine life, coastal communities and our oceans. We’ve seen the devastation from hundreds of offshore accidents. Engineers will verify that for every drilling site, leakage or even a major spill is a matter of when, not if. Our beaches, fisheries and coastal tourism and recreation economy are far too important to risk an oil spill.
 
More than 43,000 businesses and hundreds of cities, counties and other communities have voiced their opposition to offshore drilling. Our future is in environmental protection, not reckless exploitation.
 
Walden has a chance to act on behalf of us constituents and our children and grandchildren by opposing the administration’s reckless and dangerous plans to drill off our shores. I urge Mr. Walden to put our interests before corporate interests.


7/9   Pre-existing conditions: Lip Service Only  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to ask for answers from Mr. Walden on two questions, and I want clear answers because my healthcare is at stake  -
 
1. Does Walden oppose the Texas lawsuit suing the federal government to undo the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?
2. Does Walden believe the Trump administration should defend the ACA lawsuit so that people with pre-existing conditions won’t lose their health care? 
 
Texas has sued the federal government to undo the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Since the Texas lawsuit is against the U.S., it’s the job of the Department of Justice to defend the lawsuit.  The Trump administration has refused to defend in an effort to ensure that – with no opposition -- the ACA protection for coverage of pre-existing conditions will automatically be declared unconstitutional.
 
This is a clever, easy-to-understand, totally legal, and totally devastating tactic to eliminate pre-existing condition coverage. Now, months after the lawsuit was filed Rep. Walden finally said he “supports” coverage for pre-existing conditions. But he has actively refused to comment on the lawsuit, let alone take any action to challenge this blatant tactic.
 
It appears that Walden wants to fool us, his constituents, by giving lip-service to “supporting” protection for pre-existing conditions overage, while standing back so the lawsuit can proceed smoothly.
 
My healthcare is at stake. I want to hear Walden say he opposes the Texas lawsuit. I want him to demand that the DoJ defend the suit.
 
Mr. Walden has been screwing us constituents over healthcare for far too long. Unless he answers YES to my two questions and acts accordingly, I will assume this is more of the same. Fortunately, Jamie McLeod-Skinner supports affordable, accessible healthcare for all.


7/3   Replace Sham Commission with Action  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling  to urge Mr. Walden to insist in the House and to Trump that the new school safety commission headed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos be disbanded if it fails to focus on the role of gun violence in schools.
 
Although parents and students around the country are petrified that their school will be the next killing ground, and the commission’s only purpose is school safety, Ms. DeVos made it clear last month the commission is not going to focus on guns.
 
This commission was appointed after the Parkland school shooting last February, not to accomplish anything specific or, God forbid, to reign in the prevailing gun terror in our schools, but to mollify those who get vocal when kids get gunned down.
 
The commission has now had two “listening sessions” which featured barriers to public access and actively discouraged listening. Ms. DeVos couldn’t even be troubled to attend.
 
96 Americans are shot and killed every day and hundreds more wounded. Our legislators, including Mr. Walden, A-rated by the NRA, have made no meaningful effort to curb the violence.
 
We hear suggestions about arming teachers, putting guns in schools, and blaming the gun violence all on mental health and video games. This deflects attention from what is really needed  -  gun control by national legislation.
 
I urge Mr. Walden to protect the students in our schools by giving up his allowance from the NRA, disbanding this sham “safety” commission, and getting tough on gun violence with prompt and effective legislation.
 
Related article.    

​June 2018

6/28   Have Mercy on the Children  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m  calling to urge Mr. Walden to demand accountability from the agencies responsible for family reunification, and to support the Keep Families Together Act (HR 6135).
 
There are thousands of immigrant children who have been separated from their families, and so far we have heard of no concrete plans for reuniting them with their families. DHS and HHS claim to have reunited 500+ children, just a drop in the bucket, but there is no proof of even that.
 
The personal, lifelong emotional toll of this kind of separation on children is huge and we are at fault. I ask Walden to take responsibility for this egregious abuse by our government, and see the fix through until every last child is reunited with his family. Have mercy on the children, regardless of who’s buttering your political bread.


6/26   Vote NO on Bad Fisheries Bill  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m  calling to Urge Mr. Walden to vote NO on HR 20, the Fisheries Management bill. It has taken decades of work to bring back fish populations in US coastal waters, including Oregon’s. HR 200 will weaken fisheries management and lead to more overfishing.
 
Overfishing has dropped to historic lows because of science-based annual catch limits developed by regional fishery managers. But HR 200 will reverse that progress. The bill will exempt many fish stocks from having catch limits, leading to an increased risk of overfishing. In addition, it adds broad loopholes in the requirement to rebuild overfished populations as soon as possible.
 
Our fishermen and coastal communities, the oceans, and future generations benefit from stable, abundant fish populations. I urge Mr. Walden to vote against HR 200, and save the progress Oregon fisheries have made.


6/25   Your YES Vote for Dangerous Farm Bill  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m  calling to tell Mr. Walden I’m VERY angry about his YES vote that passed HR2, the Farm Bill.
 
While the country has been engaged with Trump’s separation and caging of immigrant children, Mr. Walden and his Republican colleagues passed HR2, which endangers public health from pesticide exposure, and which will further decimate protections for public lands and farmlands.
 
I am outraged (not too surprised, but outraged) that Walden is willing to endanger my health by giveaways to the pesticide industry, such as (1) getting rid of the requirement that U.S. Fish & Wildlife assess a pesticide's impact on endangered species before approval by the EPA, and (2) relaxing the Clean Water Act's provision that anyone releasing pesticides into waterways obtain a permit.
 
I’m also outraged that Walden is willing to sacrifice my public land heritage by allowing logging and mining in Alaskan forests including the Tongass, and to ax the Conservation Stewardship program, which funds farmers who engage in conservation on their land.
 
All of these measures reflect complete disregard for the wishes of the American public and no thought for leaving a healthy, intact environment for future generations. Shame on you, Mr. Walden, for again pandering to industry at our expense.
​

6/21   Leaving the UNHCR Further Isolates the U.S.  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m  calling to Urge Mr. Walden once again not speak out firmly against trump’s withdrawal of the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council.
 
Trump is again isolating us and embarrassing us on the world stage. This is first time a member country has voluntarily left the Council. The only other countries in the world that refuse to participate in the council are Iran, North Korea, and Eritrea. Fine company to align with! And this comes at a time when the US faces condemnation by rights groups and governments worldwide for the separation of children from their families at the border  -  one of our own human rights violations.
 
Trump has trashed the Paris climate accord and the Iran nuclear deal, imposed tariffs on our closest allies, condemned France, and left the Group of 7 summit meeting this month in chaos and enmity, and now left the world’s human rights consortium.
 
Trump’s persistent undermining of our national and diplomatic interests and of our allies is a threat to us in CD2 and to all Americans. Mr. Walden, please step forward and take responsibility for protecting your constituents and your country.
 
Related article. 


6/18   Reject these Anti-Immigrant Bills -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m  calling to urge Mr. Walden to vote NO on both the Goodlatte and the Paul Ryan immigration proposals.

These bills take Dreamers hostage in exchange for dramatic spending on the Trump Memorial Wall, and neither would stop family separations at the border. They would make it easier to deport parents and keep them from their kids. Dreamers cannot be a bargaining chip for Trump’s racist policies and border wall.
 
In addition, the Goodlatte bill appropriates $24.8 BILLION of taxpayer money for increased border security, and allows the Department of Justice to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities. The Ryan bill provides fund to add up to 50,000 more immigration agents! There have been widespread public outcries against all of these proposals in their earlier incarnations, and here they are back again.
 
We desperately need immigration reform, but these proposals offer only expensive hate-mongering. I urge Mr. Walden to vote NO on both of these bills, and to stand up for rational policy and family values in regard to immigration.


6/15   Protect Our National & Economic Security  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to stand up and protect us from Trump’s dangerous actions on the world stage. Trump’s actions and rhetoric put our country’s economic and national security at risk, and Walden’s continued silence contributes to the danger.
 
Trump has reduced American engagement in the world by canceling or withdrawing from agreements and treaties, and acts consistently to alienate our allies and elevate our adversaries. In just the last couple of weeks he has

• placed tariffs on our most important economic partners, threatening trade wars
• called Canada a security risk, and Prime Minister Trudeau “dishonest and weak.” 
• called for reinstating Russia to the G7, despite Putin’s ongoing attacks on our democratic institutions
• lifted sanctions placed on the Chinese telecom ZTE for violating U.S. sanctions on Iran (this despite the fact the Pentagon has urged U.S. retail stores not to sell ZTE phones because they pose an espionage risk).

 
I urge Walden to break his silence, and speak out on our behalf. There are many ways in which he can and should act constructively to reign in Trump’s damaging actions:

• Exercise the power given to Congress by the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8) to oversee tariffs
• Push for bipartisan legislation like S. 2566 and S. 2538 which further specify Congressional oversight on tariffs, and 
• Pass legislation to keep the sanctions on ZTE in place.

 
Step forward and lead, Mr. Walden. This is no time to act like a doorstop.


6/11   Join Repubs Speaking Out on Trump -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to break his lapdog silence on Trump.
 
Many of Walden’s Republican colleagues who have previously been zip-mouthed about Trump’s objectionable behavior and frequent policy debacles are now breaking rank and raising their voices again the president. Topics of their outspoken criticism include

• Trump’s decision to impose tariffs against U.S. allies Canada, Mexico and the European Union
• Trump’s deal lifting sanctions on Chinese telecom giant ZTE
• Trump’s removal of deportation protections for “dreamers”
• Trump’s “swampy” EPA chief, Scott Pruitt
• Trump’s new conspiracy claims regarding the Russia investigation
• Trump’s claim to have the ability to pardon himself if/when charged with a crime regarding the Russia investigation
• Trump’s proposal to allow Russia back into the G-7

 
It is long past time for our federal legislators of all political stripes to speak out against Trump’s actions that drive away our allies, coddle our enemies, and diminishing our country’s standing on the world stage.
 
I urge Mr. Walden to wake up and follow his colleagues’ example. Being a silent, assenting lapdog for Trump is not in any way serving us constituents. We want a strong and safe country, and Mr. Walden is stand by silently while it is diminished on a daily basis. Wake up and lead, Mr. Walden.
 

6/6   Don't Let Trump Plan RAISE Drug Prices  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to again urge Mr. Walden to advocate for direct federal negotiation of pricing for all drugs under Medicare.
 
Trump’s recent proposal for lowering prescription prices omits that long-needed improvement. The apparent reason is that it would be unpopular with the pharma industry.
 
There is at least one beneficial point in Trump’s proposal  -  capping out-of-pocket drug expenses for Medicare Part D recipients at $5000. However, another feature of the plan would shift coverage of some expensive meds from one part of Medicare (B) to another (D), significantly increasing costs for some of the sickest people on Medicare.
 
I urge Mr. Walden to advocate for his CD2 constituents by insisting on direct federal negotiation of all Medicare drug prices. We need for him to act in our best interests, not in the interest of the pharmaceutical industry.
 
Note:  The public can leave comments on Trump’s plan until 7/16/18, online here.
 
Related article.

6/4   No Federal $$$ for Trump's Military Parade -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m writing to urge Mr. Walden to prohibit the use of federal fund to stage Trump’s proposed extravagant military parade. Congress does indeed have that power, and should use it.
 
A number of political scientists have opined that “the military parade [Trump] is organizing should be understood less as a celebration of imperial grandeur than as a ploy for expanding presidential power by advertising it.”
 
Regrettably, Mr. Walden and his colleagues in the House recently endorsed Trump’s proposal in the House’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act, although the Senate Armed Services Committee did not.
Mr. Walden, your constituents here in CD2 do not want or need to be awed by the spectacle of power being offered. The beneficiary of such a gratuitous display is Trump, with his own perverse ego needs. What we want and need is for Congress to reclaim its authority in shaping the direction of the country, and resist “cult of ruler” enthrallment.

Related article.

 
6/1   Schedule a Town Hall NOW -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling again to find out when Mr. Walden is scheduling a town hall in Hood River. I’ve called and written asking about this before, as have many others in this area.
This is recess week, when both the House and the Senate are in recess, and it follows a long holiday weekend. Mr. Walden is available, and appearing in his hometown couldn’t be much more convenient.
We CD2 constituents have important issues to address with him, and many questions on issues that affect our daily lives and our futures. For example,

• What legislation will he support to protect our children from gun violence?
• What is he doing to assure net neutrality, and equitable, affordable access to the internet for his constituents?
• Will he support having the federal government directly negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare?
• Will he support HR 4999, the SAFE Lending Act, to stop online predatory lending?
• As chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, does he have any thoughts on addressing climate change in government policy?

Please let us know when our town hall is scheduled.

May 2018

5/29   Stop this Gun Violence -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling yet AGAIN to urge Mr. Walden to protect our children from gun violence.
 
On May 18, Santa Fe High School in rural Texas became the latest scene of carnage in what has become a national epidemic of mass shootings. For the second time in the past three months, the victims were children and their teachers.
 
Students and parents are protesting with signs saying “#NeverAgain,” but our legislators' continued inaction is ensuring that the carnage will indeed continue to happen again and again.
 
Mr. Walden takes contributions from the gun lobby, then votes in its best interests. I urge Mr. Walden to act instead in his constituents’ best interests: protect us and our children from more gun violence by enacting the Parkland students’ FIVE POINT PLAN as federal legislation:
   1. Fund gun violence research
   2. Strengthen the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
   3. Universal Background Checks
   4. High Capacity Magazine Ban
   5. Assault Weapons Ban
 
I want Mr. Walden to make #NeverAgain a reality.


5/21   Vote for Net Neutrality -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to vote in favor of net neutrality when it come again to the House of Representatives.
The Senate voted to overrule the FCC and protect net neutrality last week, and the bill will now go to the House. I am concerned that Mr. Walden’s coziness with and significant financial support from telecom companies may impact his ability to represent the best interests of us constituents. That was the case last winter when he voted to reverse a landmark FCC privacy rule, opening the door for ISPs to sell the public’s personal data.
 
As CD2 constituents, we expect privacy protection and equitable, affordable access to a neutral internet. I urge Mr. Walden to vote in favor of our interests rather than his own interest in campaign cash.


5/15   Protect the Press and Freedom of Speech -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)
​
I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to respond forcefully against the Trump administration’s plan to intimidate and silence journalists and the dissenting public.
 
I was horrified to learn that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking contractors to provide “Media Monitoring Services.”
 
The job posting’s Statement of Work outlines a plan to gather and monitor the public activities of media professionals and influencers. This is clearly dangerous territory, with the government wanting to keep track of the "sentiment" of citizens and foreign nationals.
 
This alarming Big Brother-style plan is not an isolated item. Earlier this week, the State Department placed two notices in the Federal Register seeking comments on its proposal to require that all visa applicants to the U.S. turn over their social media information for the previous five years.
 
I want Mr. Walden to know that I value a free press and the freedom of speech. The idea of the U.S. government compiling and monitoring a list of media professionals and "top media influencers" is a threat to democracy. It is the sworn duty of Mr. Walden and all of our legislators to speak out early and forcefully against this and similar authoritarian/fascist measures to control the public.
 
This is no time to hide, no time for silence, Mr. Walden. We depend on our legislators to protect our freedom of speech.
 
See related article.


5/14   Need REAL Drug Pricing Help -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to stand up for having the federal government directly negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare as a much-needed strategy in lowering drug prices.
 
Trump announced last week some competition-oriented approaches to lowering drug prices, but failed to include his campaign promise to empower the feds to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare. Mr. Walden is quoted as being in full support of Trump’s proposal.
 
It appears that omitting federal price negotiation for Medicare drugs was very purposeful. Doing that would rile the pharmaceutical industry, although it would bring price relief to millions of Americans. Mr. Trump was able to create a lot of fanfare and posturing about his proposal, but at the end of the speech, stock prices of major drug and biotech companies and pharmacy benefit managers soared with gratitude and relief.
 
Alex Azar, Trump’s appointee for secretary of health and human services, had nothing but good things to say about Trump’s plan  -  not surprising since he is a former top executive at the drugmaker Eli Lilly & Company.
 
Mr. Walden has an important voice as both our CD2 representative and as head of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. I urge him to use it to insist that Trump’s drug-cost plan include tasking the federal government with directly negotiating lower drug prices for Medicare. This may not serve Walden’s or Trump’s generous pharma donors, but it would definitely serve millions of Medicare enrollees.
 
See related article. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/11/us/politics/trump-prescription-drugs-plan.html


5/11   Stop Predatory Lending -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to support the HR 4999, the SAFE Lending Act, to stop online predatory lending.
 
Predatory lending is a huge economic and social drain on low-income communities, accounting for a whopping $89 billion annually in interest and fees. For example, in Oregon payday loan borrowers can be forced to pay up to 36% interest per year on repeat loan renewals.
 
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was previously working to rein in predatory lending practices, but Trump’s appointee Mick Mulvaney (temporary head of CFPB) has gratefully accepted $63,000 from payday lenders, so  -  SURPRISE!  -  the Bureau has dropped that line of work.
 
The SAFE Lending Act currently before Congress would crack down on online predatory loan services.  I urge Mr. Walden to help lead the efforts to end predatory lending, promote access to affordable banking, and protect the intended function of the CFPB.


5/8   We Want a Town Hall NOW -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden once again to schedule a town hall in Hood River. His last town hall here was over a year ago, and that one was hastily scheduled only because his constituents here held an “empty-chair” town hall in response to his ongoing refusal to appear.
 
Mr. Walden appears to be again going out of his way to avoid meeting with constituents in Hood River. This is his home town and he is here frequently.
 
Walden's performance as our “representative” over the last year and a half has left many open wounds we’d like to discuss with him. The list includes

• his leading the charge to undermine our health care system. Walden’s AHCA bill would have caused 23 million Americans to lose their coverage, including 400,000 people right here in Oregon;
• his enthusiastic support of Trump's tax scam bill, giving massive tax breaks to corporations and wealthy individuals that will be paid for by cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security;
• his abandonment of immigrants and DREAMERs;
• his selling out of net neutrality and equitable internet access to telecom companies, his cash-slicked national donor pool; and
• his insulting, unproductive lip-service about addressing the opioid crisis and strengthening veterans’ services.

 
It’s understandable that facing the public after performance like this would be uncomfortable at best. But Rep. Walden still does have a job that includes communicating within the district and holding regular, accessible town halls.  We’re waiting, Mr. Walden.


​5/7   Protect the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Rep. Greg Walden to resist any attempt by Mick Mulvaney and Donald Trump to destroy the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by changing its structure or funding.
 
The CFPB was designed to be an independent Wall Street watchdog for protecting Americans from predatory practices of the financial industry. Mick Mulvaney was recently appointed as acting director of the bureau, despite the fact that he has previously tried to eliminate it altogether, calling it a “sad, sick joke.”
 
One of Mulvaney’s first actions as acting director was to curtail the CFPB’s desperately needed payday lending rule. In addition, he has dropped a lawsuit against a payday lender, stripped enforcement powers from a CFPB unit responsible for pursuing discrimination cases, proposed that the agency’s powers be curtailed, and has failed to initiate even one case against a financial institution.
 
Now Mulvaney is asking Congress to radically restructure the CFPB to put it under Trump’s discretionary control, and requested a budget of $0 for the entire agency. This all is clearly intended to destroy the CFPB. I urge Mr. Walden to protect us CD2 constituents by blocking these and any other attempts to weaken the protections provided to us by a fully functioning CFPB.
 
Reference article

April 2018

4/30   Support "Choose Medicare Act"  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to fully support the “Choose Medicare Act” currently being introduced in Congress.

The bill would give Americans of any age the option to participate in “Medicare Part E,” providing the same type of popular, affordable, high-quality health care option currently available only to those 65 and older. Consumers choosing Medicare E would benefit from Medicare’s extensive network of providers and its ability to negotiate prices for services and medications, as well as guaranteed access and means-based copays and cost-sharing.  

Rep. Greg Walden has done his level best in the past year and a half to deny healthcare coverage to a large swath of his constituents. This is an opportunity for him to demonstrate some learning curve and some concern for those in his district. And surely even Mr. Walden will find benefit in the bill’s likelihood to increase competition and lower healthcare costs nationally.
I urge Mr. Walden to finally support a REAL, viable health care option.

Reference article

​4/26   Your vote for salmon extinction  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to express my anger with Rep. Greg Walden’s unconscionable vote in favor of HR 3144, the “Salmon Extinction Act.” The entire goal of the bill is to circumvent the law and the courts, and Mr. Walden has thumbed his nose once again at both the rule of law and the needs of his constituents.
 
HR 3144 was designed to overturn multiple federal court decisions that protect endangered salmon and steelhead. It undermines bedrock environmental laws and forbids spilling more water over dams in the spring to help endangered fish migrate if it might reduce power generation at Columbia and Snake River dams.
 
HR 3144 is contrary to established science, and would decimate the ecologic balance of the entire Pacific Northwest. Mr. Walden’s vote in favor of it will hopefully be negated by elected officials in the Senate who have greater knowledge of and respect for the natural world, and for the livelihoods and needs of CD2 residents. We have electoral plans, too, for negating Mr. Walden's ongoing toxic influence.
 
Reference article

4/23   Support gun safety bills, not the NRA  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to express my anger over Mr. Walden’s YES vote on HR 38, the concealed carry reciprocity bill, and to urge him to support HR 5087, the Assault Weapons Ban.
 
HR 38 forces all states to honor the concealed handgun licenses (CHL) of all other states. As this includes the states that have absolutely NO requirements whatsoever to qualify for a CHL, HR 38 will force adherence to the “least common denominator.” This not only pre-empts state rights, but would make it legal for anyone to carry loaded, hidden guns into sensitive places like public schools, without any need for training or even basic familiarity with guns. Brilliant. Shame on Rep. Greg Walden for supporting such a dangerous idea!
 
HR 5087 would prohibit the sale, transfer, production, and importation of semi-automatic rifles and pistols that have a magazine or can accept a magazine that can hold more than 10 bullets, and any ammunition-feeding device that can hold more than 10 bullets.
 
It is past time for Mr. Walden to take seriously the wishes of his constituents and act to protect us and law enforcement officers from the dangers of our uncontrolled gun culture. Assault weapons have no place in the hands of nonmilitary individuals, and have proven over and over again to pose a grave danger to citizens.

I urge Mr. Walden to stop acting in the interest of the NRA, and actually consider the safety and welfare of his constituents.
​
4/20   Reject cuts to domestic safety net spending  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)
 
I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to vote against any cuts in domestic safety net spending, and to vote against HR 5442, providing a line-item veto process to expedite making those cuts.

Due in large part to Trump’s tax scam legislation, which Mr. Walden voted for, we are faced with enormous federal deficits (DUH). So now legislation is being advance to rescind billions in fiscal year (FY) 2018 domestic spending.
 
Years of reductions in funding, and repeated stop-and-start short-term funding in this Administration, have already gutted what safety net functions existed. Further decreases are unacceptable, and definitely not in the best interest of us constituents here in CD2.
 
I urge Mr. Walden, once again, to represent his constituents rather than silently assenting, and reject further slashing of safety net budget items.

4/17   Congress must rein in Trump on Syria  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

​I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to do everything in his power to rein in Trump’s Syrian escalation.
We need for him to take a leadership role in exercising Congress’ duty to check Trump’s recklessness and warmongering. He and all of Congress should

• insist that Congress has sole authority to authorize military force, and demand that Trump come to Congress before any further strikes in Syria
• vote NO on any authorization for further force in Syria, based on Trump’s demonstrated recklessness and lack of a full strategy
• call on the Administration to lead not by military force, but by engaging international partners to seek a diplomatic and political solution to Syria’s conflicts.

Congress in general and Mr. Walden in particular have been derelict in their duty to protect the country by not acting to contain this irrational and dangerous president. It is time to change that before we find ourselves endlessly embroiled in yet another pointless war.

4/12   "Hold up! Vote down!" 

Listen to this emergency broadcast from Indivisible national to learn the resistance game plan if/when Rosenstein or Mueller is fired.

4/11  Oppose salmon-killing bill HR 3144  -  Call Merkley (202-224-3753), Wyden (202-224-5244)

I’m calling to urge Senator [Merkley/Wyden] to speak out immediately against HR 3144, and try to boost the efforts of House Democrats to oppose it.

The bill would prohibit federal agencies from doing anything that might reduce energy production from any Columbia or Snake River dams (including increasing spill rates to protect salmon) or even examining the possibility of breaching any of the four lower Snake River dams to improve conditions for salmon. This could decimate the entire ecological balance of the Pacific Northwest.

HR 3144 would The bill’s sponsor, WA Rep. McMorris-Rodgers, is trying to portray it as a bipartisan effort, which it most definitely is not. Although it will be difficult to stop the bill in the House, the chances of stopping it in the Senate are improved if House Democrats put up a good fight. The strong voices of our Oregon Senators will definitely help them.

The Senator should make it clear that HR 3144 is contrary to established science, and would decimate the ecologic balance of the entire Pacific Northwest. We should let the current process for developing a new plan for Columbia River management move forward without congressional intervention.
​
4/10   Oppose Sinclair-Tribune Merger  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden, as our elected representative and as Chairman of the House Commerce Committee, to oppose the proposed Sinclair-Tribune merger.
​
I’m very concerned about two problems with this merger. First, the public needs and deserves a variety of voices on our local broadcasts. Sinclair now reaches 40 percent of homes in the United States, and that may increase to over 70 percent if the FCC – now led by a Trump appointee – allows the merger. And second, Sinclair has a clear political agenda and uses coercive and misleading tactics to deliver “news” material promoting extreme right-wing propaganda.

I urge Mr. Walden to stand up for a free press, and to oppose the Sinclair-Tribune merger.
​
To see Sinclair in action, watch this short video. 
​
4/9   Deplorable Record on Gun Violence  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

I’m calling to bring Mr. Walden’s attention to the fact that gun control is supported by most voters, Republicans as well as Independents and Dems, and that his record of pandering to the NRA and gun industry does not reflect either common sense or his constituents’ needs and desires.

Giffords.org confirms that Mr. Walden has accepted over $93,000 from the gun lobby during his congressional career, voted in favor of concealed carry reciprocity last year (HR 38), and supports deregulation of silencers.

What kind of representation is this? We his constituents are endangered, and our kids are endangered, so Mr. Walden can have his pockets lined by the gun lobby? This is a voting issue for me and I will work hard to unseat Mr. Walden.

4/2   Make Gun Violence an Election Issue

​Below is the Parkland students’ FIVE POINT PLAN. What can you do with it? Every time you go to an incumbent town hall or to a candidate event (race kickoff, forum, debate, meet & greet), ask the incumbent/candidate if s/he is on board with it.

1. Fund gun violence research
2. Strengthen the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
3. Universal Background Checks
4. High Capacity Magazine Ban
5. Assault Weapons Ban

March 2018

3/29   Contain War Threats  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

​I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to support both HR 4140, the No Unconstitutional First Strike Against North Korea Act, and HR 669, the Restricting First Strike Use of Nuclear Weapons Act. I am very fearful that that Trump will start war with North Korea and/or Iran. He is dangerous and erratic, and because has now surrounded himself with senior advisors with hair triggers for sending in the army. The bills are critical at this time to try to contain the very real threat of war presented by our maniac president. Do NOT stand by silently. Silence is complicity.
 
https://www.vox.com/world/2018/3/23/17155796/john-bolton-trump-mike-pompeo-war-cabinet 

3/27   Billboards against NRA Buying Legislators
​
​MoveOn is placing billboards around the country to pressure Republicans who day after day do the bidding of the NRA. This is one in Chicago, directed at Republican Representative Pete Roskam.
 
Interested in supporting this project? Click here.

3/20   Ban Weapons of War  -  Call Paul Ryan & Mitch McConnell

Call/fax Sen. Mitch McConnell (202-224-2541; fax 202-224-2499) and Rep. Paul Ryan (202-225-3031…6; fax 202-225-3393) to demand they ban weapons of war:
 
I’m calling to urge [Sen. McConnell/Rep. Ryan] to choose the safety of Americans over his allegiance to the NRA.
Thoughts and prayers are never going to be enough to address the epidemic of gun violence in our country — it is past time for Congress to act. Will [Sen. McConnell/Rep. Ryan] call a [Senate/House] vote to ban weapons of war, including assault weapons and large capacity magazines? I would like to get a call back with his answer, please.​

3/19   Write 3 CEOs to stop selling assault rifles

Get out your pen & stamps, and tell outdoor retailers to follow the lead of their competitors and stand with kids. 
Send this message (or something similar with your own flair) -

I am writing to ask [company] to follow the moral and courageous lead of Dick’s Sporting Goods. Stop selling assault-style weapons. Raise the minimum age for purchase of guns. The CDC says 19 children are killed by guns EVERY DAY in the U.S. Focus on giving them the future they deserve instead. Thank you.
 
CEO John Morris, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's
2500 E. Kearney
Springfield, MO 65898
 
CEO John Schaefer, Sportsman’s Warehouse
7035 S. High Tech Drive
Midvale, UT 84047
 
CEO David Pratt, Freedom Roads/Camping World
250 Parkway Drive Suite 270
Lincolnshire, IL 60069

3/7   Need Tighter Gun Laws , & More  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

​I’m calling to thank Rep. Walden for indicating some openness to tighter gun laws, and to urge him to get specific and to get vocal on the subject.
 
We do need the measures Walden mentioned in his OPB interview - tougher background checks on gun purchases, and raising the age limit from 18 to 21 for gun purchases. It is also abundantly clear that we need a ban on assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.
 
And rather than wait to “see how it all comes together,” as Walden suggests, we especially need him as our representative to get out in front and take a strong stand. This is time for leadership and action in protecting our youth and communities, not for sitting back and “seeing.”
 
https://www.opb.org/news/article/gun-control-greg-walden-risk-violence-oregon/

3/1   Oppose Russian Interference and Trump Lapdogging  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)
​
I’m calling to urge Rep. Walden to speak out forcefully about the threat to our national security presented by unchecked Russian interference in our national elections and democratic processes.
 
We learn more every week about the extent of Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections, its ongoing interference in upcoming elections, and its manipulation of US social media. This represents a significant national security threat, yet Trump still refuses to enforce the sanctions that Congress passed almost unanimously, or even to acknowledge there IS a threat to our security. All I have seen from Rep. Walden is him standing by silently as if there’s not problem, completely ignoring his/her sworn duties as our elected official.
 
We need all of our federal legislators to stand up and speak out against both Russian interference and against Trump’s refusal to take a firm and protective stance against it. Continued silence on the part of Walden is not only against the nation’s interest, but is complicity in aiding Trump’s apparent efforts to cover up something quite worrisome.
 
Background article:  Why Does Trump Ignore Top Officials’ Warnings on Russia

February 2018

2/17   Stop Killing Our Kids!  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

Note: In 2016, the gun lobby gave $5,900,000 to buy our members of Congress’ thoughts, prayers, and inaction. Mr. Walden was among the lucky recipients.

I’m calling to demand that Rep. Walden stop taking hush money from the NRA, and that he support federal legislation to meaningfully address our uniquely American gun violence crisis.

We here in District 2 need him to support these specific measures –

1. ban assault rifles,
2. ban high capacity magazines,
3. ban products like bump stocks,
4. prohibit convicted stalkers from purchasing or possessing firearms
5. expand the definition of "intimate partner" in connection to domestic violence, and
6. mandate that law enforcement agencies report domestic violence convictions to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
7. prohibit state-to-state reciprocity for gun carrying

​I want to hear back from Mr. Walden SPECIFICALLY whether or not he supports each of these SPECIFIC measures. No form letters, no evasions. State his position on each item. This is a voting litmus test for me.

January 2018

1/12   Condemn Trump’s Racism  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730) 

​I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to swiftly and clearly condemn Trump’s deep-seated racism as shown in his outrageous statement yesterday about brown people from “shithole countries.” For Walden to continue to stand silently in the background is complicity.  I want it to be clear that I’m not asking Walden to simply condemn Trump’s statement. I want him to condemn and dissociate from the basic, despicable racism that Trump exhibits over and over in statements and actions.
 
As a District 2 constituent, I want to have my elected representatives defend the principles that really DO make America great, including diversity and respect and inclusiveness. Mr. Walden has been silent on Trump’s many egregious statements and actions for an entire year, let alone his despicable core qualities such as racism. Time to show some cojones, Mr. Walden, and speak up.
 
1/4   Condemn Trump’s Irresponsible War-Mongering  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730) ​

​​I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to strongly censor Trump’s recent tweet threatening North Korea with his “much bigger nuclear button.” It was met with both scorn and alarm among national security experts who called it “juvenile and frightening” for the president top handle a foreign policy challenge in this way.
​ 
Trump’s irresponsible, impulsive behavior is creating fear and colossal danger for us here in District Two, for the entire country, and indeed for the entire world. Any legislator who fails to condemn it is complicit.  I urge Mr. Walden to clearly and publicly condemn Trump’s schoolyard war-mongering in the interest of his constituents and all of the U.S.

1/3   Upcoming Budget Vote  -  Call Walden (202-225-6730)

​I’m calling to urge Mr. Walden to think about and act on the needs of his constituents here in District 2 when he returns to DC to vote on a continuing budget resolution. I urge him to vote “yes” on the next continuing resolution ONLY if contains a “clean” DREAM Act and permanent funding for CHIP, community health centers, and natural disaster victims. These issues have bipartisan support and we in the District expect Mr. Walden to get on the bandwagon.

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