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source: CNN
House GOP leaders want more security at town halls amid Obamacare protests
Washington (CNN)House Speaker Paul Ryan and top House GOP leaders are urging rank-and-file members to increase security after several unruly town hall meetings dominated by Obamacare protests, including one that involved a member needing a police escort.
Members were cautioned at a closed-door conference meeting on Tuesday to be aware of organized efforts to disrupt events at home and told them take steps to ensure their own safety and that of their aides.
Protests over the plans to repeal Obamacare are expected to continue during a recess later this month, according to multiple Republicans who attended the session, so the message from the entire leadership team was to get prepared now.
"There a growing ugliness out there," California Rep. Tom McClintock, whose meeting over the weekend in northern California drew large crowds and more police were called to the scene. "We were warned by both the Capitol police and the local police that there was local agitation."
After hundreds of protestors screamed at McClintock and criticized President Donald Trump's policies, several officers helped McClintock leave the event and avoid contact with the boisterous protestors.
After that episode and reports of other disturbances in other districts, House GOP conference chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, asked her colleague, Rep. Dave Reichert -- a former sheriff -- to give members some advice for handling potential protests both at events and at their district offices.
"As members' offices are experiencing an influx of phone calls and foot traffic highly organized by the left, Sheriff Reichert shared some best practices about how offices can still be safe and effective in this current environment," one Republican who attended the meeting told CNN.
Politico first reported on the security discussion at the GOP meeting.
Last month's retreat in Philadelphia with House and Senate Republicans drew hundreds of protesters, mostly there to voice opposition to Trump, who was invited to address the members.
Several members told CNN that after a series of protests in cities across the country following the inauguration they were being advised to brief staff on how to deal with groups that may show up at their offices.
Virginia GOP Rep. Dave Brat blamed professional advocates from outside his district for interfering with his office's work.
"My constituents are trying to get in on Social Security and all kinds of other issues and they can't get in because when you get 30,000 hits by paid activists, from (George) Soros and indivisible and resistance, etc. I can sort it out. So it's a real issue," he said.
North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Walker suggested that the tone set by the new administration may also be fueling the intensity of the protests.
"Trump presents a certain demeanor that when he pushes something through, it's not whether really whether you like it or not, this is how it is," Walker said.
Ryan told reporters after the meeting that he respected free speech, but urged advocates to be orderly.
"We cherish the First Amendment and people who are concerned and anxious, we want them to know that we want to listen to their concerns and that -- that peaceful protests are something we honor in this country. I just hope people keep it peaceful, respect private property, have no violence," Ryan said.
The majority of House Republicans were not serving in the chamber in during the heated and intense debate over Obamacare in 2009 and 2010, a time when opponents of the Democratic proposal led rallies and flooded town hall meetings in districts across the country, often booing and heckling members of Congress.
"With so many members who were not here for the initial Obamacare battle, it's important to just make sure members and their staff are mindful of the fact that outside groups may attempt to disrupt offices or events," one House Republican told CNN.
Walker told CNN that 90% of those attending recent events in his district opposed policies being advanced by the GOP Congress, but he plans to continue scheduling meetings, but with additional security plans in place.
"Obviously you get to a place where it gets a little hostile, so there are certain security measures we are going to add to that we haven't had in the past," Walker said.
Members are identifying alternative exits for themselves and staffers to leave meetings in the event they get out of control. McClintock told CNN he planned to hold future town halls if he got clearance from law enforcement but said he would move them to larger venues.
Multiple House Republicans recognized that with the big focus on overhauling the health care system there are heightened concerns about people potentially losing coverage,
"They should have the right to say, 'Hey, whatever you guys are doing, make sure that you're not pulling the rug out from people,' " Walker said.
House GOP leaders want more security at town halls amid Obamacare protests
Washington (CNN)House Speaker Paul Ryan and top House GOP leaders are urging rank-and-file members to increase security after several unruly town hall meetings dominated by Obamacare protests, including one that involved a member needing a police escort.
Members were cautioned at a closed-door conference meeting on Tuesday to be aware of organized efforts to disrupt events at home and told them take steps to ensure their own safety and that of their aides.
Protests over the plans to repeal Obamacare are expected to continue during a recess later this month, according to multiple Republicans who attended the session, so the message from the entire leadership team was to get prepared now.
"There a growing ugliness out there," California Rep. Tom McClintock, whose meeting over the weekend in northern California drew large crowds and more police were called to the scene. "We were warned by both the Capitol police and the local police that there was local agitation."
After hundreds of protestors screamed at McClintock and criticized President Donald Trump's policies, several officers helped McClintock leave the event and avoid contact with the boisterous protestors.
After that episode and reports of other disturbances in other districts, House GOP conference chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, asked her colleague, Rep. Dave Reichert -- a former sheriff -- to give members some advice for handling potential protests both at events and at their district offices.
"As members' offices are experiencing an influx of phone calls and foot traffic highly organized by the left, Sheriff Reichert shared some best practices about how offices can still be safe and effective in this current environment," one Republican who attended the meeting told CNN.
Politico first reported on the security discussion at the GOP meeting.
Last month's retreat in Philadelphia with House and Senate Republicans drew hundreds of protesters, mostly there to voice opposition to Trump, who was invited to address the members.
Several members told CNN that after a series of protests in cities across the country following the inauguration they were being advised to brief staff on how to deal with groups that may show up at their offices.
Virginia GOP Rep. Dave Brat blamed professional advocates from outside his district for interfering with his office's work.
"My constituents are trying to get in on Social Security and all kinds of other issues and they can't get in because when you get 30,000 hits by paid activists, from (George) Soros and indivisible and resistance, etc. I can sort it out. So it's a real issue," he said.
North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Walker suggested that the tone set by the new administration may also be fueling the intensity of the protests.
"Trump presents a certain demeanor that when he pushes something through, it's not whether really whether you like it or not, this is how it is," Walker said.
Ryan told reporters after the meeting that he respected free speech, but urged advocates to be orderly.
"We cherish the First Amendment and people who are concerned and anxious, we want them to know that we want to listen to their concerns and that -- that peaceful protests are something we honor in this country. I just hope people keep it peaceful, respect private property, have no violence," Ryan said.
The majority of House Republicans were not serving in the chamber in during the heated and intense debate over Obamacare in 2009 and 2010, a time when opponents of the Democratic proposal led rallies and flooded town hall meetings in districts across the country, often booing and heckling members of Congress.
"With so many members who were not here for the initial Obamacare battle, it's important to just make sure members and their staff are mindful of the fact that outside groups may attempt to disrupt offices or events," one House Republican told CNN.
Walker told CNN that 90% of those attending recent events in his district opposed policies being advanced by the GOP Congress, but he plans to continue scheduling meetings, but with additional security plans in place.
"Obviously you get to a place where it gets a little hostile, so there are certain security measures we are going to add to that we haven't had in the past," Walker said.
Members are identifying alternative exits for themselves and staffers to leave meetings in the event they get out of control. McClintock told CNN he planned to hold future town halls if he got clearance from law enforcement but said he would move them to larger venues.
Multiple House Republicans recognized that with the big focus on overhauling the health care system there are heightened concerns about people potentially losing coverage,
"They should have the right to say, 'Hey, whatever you guys are doing, make sure that you're not pulling the rug out from people,' " Walker said.
Protesting is good but the Tea Party actually put people in office that changed laws in all levels of government.
Did you click on the link?
I looked at the video and read the article.
Well their main goal is to get liberals/progressives elected.
Good
If you clicked on the indivisible link, you should have seen how to get involved in your congressional district.
They should hope to be the Democratic Tea Party.
They got the protest part right now let's see them translate that to primary challenges and getting their agenda pushed. The GOP took a lot of losses in the first two years of the Obama Admin but because they stood as one, they didn't take the losses as seriously as they would have if they had worked with the Dems. See what that kind of obstruction got them: everything. The playbook is written. Follow through.
They got the protest part right now let's see them translate that to primary challenges and getting their agenda pushed. The GOP took a lot of losses in the first two years of the Obama Admin but because they stood as one, they didn't take the losses as seriously as they would have if they had worked with the Dems. See what that kind of obstruction got them: everything. The playbook is written. Follow through.
Truly good to hear from you !!!
National
February 17, 2017
Dems launch ads aimed at driving protesters to Republican events
People shout to Rep. Jason Chaffetz during his town hall meeting at Brighton High School Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Rick
Bowmer AP
Protesters follow Rep. Tom McClintock out of Roseville town hall
meeting under police escort 0:32
By Alex Roarty
WASHINGTON -- Democrats want voters to know when and where some Republican lawmakers will hold public events during next week’s Congressional recess — and they’re willing to pay to get the word out.
Priorities USA, a Democratic Super PAC that backed Hillary Clinton during last year’s presidential campaign, is launching a digital ad campaign aimed at informing people of their Republican representative’s public schedule. The effort is aimed at 12 GOP lawmakers who represent districts or a state that Clinton won, including Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J.
Priorities wouldn’t say how much it was spending on the effort, or which GOP lawmakers it was targeting other than Heller or Lance. But it’s paring its effort with a progressive advocacy group Indivisible, a group created by Democratic former congressional aides who developed a widely read manual among liberals of how to protest Republican town halls.
The ads will run alongside search engines and Facebook and will provide details about events in their area. People who click on the ad, according to the Priorities press release, will be sent to Indivisible’s website, where they will be asked to RSVP and be given instructions for preparing for the GOP town hall.
“The upcoming recess week promises to provide even more scenes of grassroots activism by everyday citizens concerned about our country's future,” Guy Cecil, chairman of Priorities USA, said in a statement. “We are inspired by Indivisible and couldn't be prouder to partner with them to empower those who want to make their voices heard and engage in social action. Republican lawmakers who refuse to stand up to Donald Trump should be prepared to answer for that to their constituents over the coming week, and beyond.”
Democratic activists are angry at Republicans over their support of President Trump and promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which they argue is essential for the health care of many low-income Americans.
Republican-led town halls have already made major news earlier this month, when people angrily confronted Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, at his own event.
Chaffetz and other Republicans have accused liberal activists of packing their events with out-of-state agitators who are not representative of their constituents.
“Democrats are tapping a well-organized network of progressive groups to try and derail Republican efforts to engage with members of their community,” said Jesse Hunt, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the political arm of the House GOP. “Obamacare is imploding in front of our eyes and the activist left is clinging to the failed policies that caused the healthcare mess in the first place.”
Alex Roarty: 202-383-6078, @Alex_Roarty
Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article133347844.html#storylink=cpy
.
February 17, 2017
Dems launch ads aimed at driving protesters to Republican events
People shout to Rep. Jason Chaffetz during his town hall meeting at Brighton High School Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Rick
Bowmer AP
Protesters follow Rep. Tom McClintock out of Roseville town hall
meeting under police escort 0:32
By Alex Roarty
WASHINGTON -- Democrats want voters to know when and where some Republican lawmakers will hold public events during next week’s Congressional recess — and they’re willing to pay to get the word out.
Priorities USA, a Democratic Super PAC that backed Hillary Clinton during last year’s presidential campaign, is launching a digital ad campaign aimed at informing people of their Republican representative’s public schedule. The effort is aimed at 12 GOP lawmakers who represent districts or a state that Clinton won, including Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Rep. Leonard Lance, R-N.J.
Priorities wouldn’t say how much it was spending on the effort, or which GOP lawmakers it was targeting other than Heller or Lance. But it’s paring its effort with a progressive advocacy group Indivisible, a group created by Democratic former congressional aides who developed a widely read manual among liberals of how to protest Republican town halls.
The ads will run alongside search engines and Facebook and will provide details about events in their area. People who click on the ad, according to the Priorities press release, will be sent to Indivisible’s website, where they will be asked to RSVP and be given instructions for preparing for the GOP town hall.
“The upcoming recess week promises to provide even more scenes of grassroots activism by everyday citizens concerned about our country's future,” Guy Cecil, chairman of Priorities USA, said in a statement. “We are inspired by Indivisible and couldn't be prouder to partner with them to empower those who want to make their voices heard and engage in social action. Republican lawmakers who refuse to stand up to Donald Trump should be prepared to answer for that to their constituents over the coming week, and beyond.”
Democratic activists are angry at Republicans over their support of President Trump and promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which they argue is essential for the health care of many low-income Americans.
Republican-led town halls have already made major news earlier this month, when people angrily confronted Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, at his own event.
Chaffetz and other Republicans have accused liberal activists of packing their events with out-of-state agitators who are not representative of their constituents.
“Democrats are tapping a well-organized network of progressive groups to try and derail Republican efforts to engage with members of their community,” said Jesse Hunt, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the political arm of the House GOP. “Obamacare is imploding in front of our eyes and the activist left is clinging to the failed policies that caused the healthcare mess in the first place.”
Alex Roarty: 202-383-6078, @Alex_Roarty
Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article133347844.html#storylink=cpy
.
Tom Price, the #illegitimate HHS Secretary has given up his position as congressman from Georgia's 7th district. Indivisible Georgia is concentrating on this seat. It is a heavy lift for progressives , but Trump's divisive ways are generating interest for opposition to his policies. Even in this wealthy, gerrymandered republican drawn congressional district.
Eager to learn how to resist Trump, hundreds jam
new 'Indivisible' chapter meeting in Collingswood
Carla Krash (center) operates a puppet of President Trump with Steve Bannon holding the strings
as she and the other protesters march around City Hall on Monday afternoon.
new 'Indivisible' chapter meeting in Collingswood
Carla Krash (center) operates a puppet of President Trump with Steve Bannon holding the strings
as she and the other protesters march around City Hall on Monday afternoon.
MEMORIAL DAY RECESS POLICY PRIORITIES
GO TO: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/blosg/memorial-day-recess-policy-priorities/
.
This Memorial Day recess is a test. The Trump administration is forcing our movement to play defense on multiple fronts:
- The fate of the ACA is now in the hands of a Republican-led Senate that has tried to repeal it for 7 years.
- The connections between the Trump camp and Russian officials are coming more and more into focus, clearer than ever before.
- The Trump budget proposal is out and it is as draconian as any we’ve ever seen.
- And, on June 7, the House GOP will vote on a bill that would gut protections for families from big Wall Street banks who would do us harm.
GO TO: https://www.indivisibleguide.com/blosg/memorial-day-recess-policy-priorities/
.
MEMORIAL DAY RECESS POLICY PRIORITIES
Angel Padilla | Indivisible | May 25, 2017
Image courtesy of Indivisible San Francisco
This Memorial Day recess is a test. The Trump administration is forcing our movement to play defense on multiple fronts. The fate of the ACA is now in the hands of a Republican-led Senate that has tried to repeal it for 7 years. The connections between the Trump camp and Russian officials are coming more and more into focus, clearer than ever before. The Trump budget proposal is out and it is as draconian as any we’ve ever seen. And, on June 7, the House GOP will vote on a bill that would gut protections for families from big Wall Street banks who would do us harm.
As former congressional staffers, Indivisible would like to help you make sense of the noise coming out of Washington. Here are the things we think you should be prioritizing this Memorial Day recess. And here are some sample town hall questions to help you.
DEFENDING THE ACA IN THE SENATE
We always assumed we’d find ourselves here, fighting to stop TrumpCare in the Senate. The fact that it’s Memorial Day and the Senate is only now taking up the bill is a testament to the Indivisible movement. The priority now is to kill the bill in the Senate. If you can talk about only one thing this Memorial Day recess, it should be about this.
The message that Republican Senators have gotten from their leadership is to use this Memorial Day recess as a “barometer” for the type of backlash they might expect if they vote to repeal the ACA, and kick millions of Americans off of their health insurance. We know now from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that TrumpCare would result in 23 million Americans losing their coverage, higher out-of-pocket costs, the elimination of protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and a return to the chaos that preceded the ACA. And, all to give the rich a giant tax break. That is why this is such a critical moment. If Senators don’t feel the pressure from their constituents, they will quickly move to repeal the ACA as the House did earlier this month.
Make sure they hear from you. Go to their town halls and demand that they oppose ACA-repeal. Visit their regional offices and make phone calls. If you have a Republican senator, tell them that you don’t want them siding with Trump over you when it comes to access to health care. If you have a Democratic senator, make sure they’re not negotiating with Republicans on ACA repeal.
REJECTING TRUMP’S BILLIONAIRE BUDGET
Trump’s proposed 2018 budget is a budget for billionaires. It would slash funding for public education, repairing roads and bridges, and protecting the environment. It would make painful cuts to entitlements and other programs that help families maintain basic living standards. It would even break Trump’s promise not to cut Social Security.
Why take so many drastic measures? So that he can give his millionaire and billionaire friends a giant tax break. Trump wants to give the average millionaire a $250,000 tax break, while completely eliminating programs that working families rely on to put food on the table.
But remember: the President doesn’t set the budget—Congress does. You can fight this budget and the bad ideas that drive it. We expect many Members of Congress, even Republicans, to say they don’t support the Trump budget—but that’s not enough. They need to reject the flawed principles behind it as well. Tell your MoCs to reject cuts to entitlements, any funding for a border wall Americans don’t want, and the billions of dollars in increased defense spending that come at the expense of funding to educate our kids, pursue life-saving medical cures, and protect the environment.
IT’S TIME FOR CONGRESS TO CHOOSE TRUTH OVER TRUMP ON RUSSIA
Thanks to your pressure, the Department of Justice has finally appointed a special counsel to lead the investigation into Russia’s interference in our election and the Trump camp’s troubling connection to Russia. It’s a real victory—one we should all feel proud of. But it’s not enough. We need to be sure that many of the important facts of this investigation get aired publicly, and that Trump can’t just fire the person doing the investigation. Congress cannot sit on the sidelines while the whole country still waits.
This recess, remind your MoC that they have the power to create an independent commission to look into these matters. For House Members, that means supporting the discharge petition on the Protecting our Democracy Act (H.R.356). For Senators, there is (S.27), a bill to establish a commission of independent experts to examine the facts regarding Russia and the 2016 election.
Congress also has the power to force Donald Trump to release his tax returns, a campaign promise he never fulfilled. Every president since Jimmy Carter has released their tax returns. Why? It demonstrates that they don’t have conflicts of interest, which is more urgent than ever now with questions swirling about Trump’s Russia connections.
Congressional leadership has refused to bring a vote on a bill that would disclose Trump’s returns—the Presidential Tax Transparency Act (H.R. 305). This recess is a chance to remind your House member that they don’t have to wait for Speaker Paul Ryan to decide the American people deserve transparency. They can force a vote on this important bill by signing on to Rep. Anna Eshoo’s discharge petition. The petition needs 218 signatures to force a vote and over 190 MoCs have already come out in support. Find out where yours stands through this link.
PROTECTING OUR SAVINGS, HOMES AND JOBS FROM WALL STREET
If Trump’s inaugural “billionaire budget” wasn’t proof enough, Donald Trump and his friends in Congress are out to do Wall Street as many favors as they have days left in power. For the House of Representatives, that has meant moving along the so-called “Financial CHOICE Act” (H.R. 10), a bill that eliminates major consumer safeguards and checks on corporate misbehavior created in the wake of the disastrous financial crisis. House Republicans are hoping to sneak this bill through without Americans knowing. This recess is your chance to tell your MoC to keep the guard rails on our financial system and say no to the #WrongCHOICEAct.
This Memorial Day recess, as you celebrate with your friends and family, make sure that you also find time to tell your senators and representatives about what matters most to you. Your resistance has has already changed outcomes. Keep the heat on your MoCs, and together we will win.
Angel Padilla is the Policy Director, co-founder, and original co-author at Indivisible. As Policy Director, Angel oversees the policy team, which is tasked with demystifying Congress for the 6000+ Indivisible groups around the country. Prior to Indivisible, Angel led that National Immigration Law Center's federal immigrant health policy agenda. He also served as an immigration policy consultant at National Council of La Raza. Before that, he was a legislative assistant for Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), advising on issues related to health care and the Affordable Care Act, among others.
LATEST RESISTANCE RESOURCES
Is your Republican Member of Congress Lying to you about TrumpCare?Explainers
Digital Communications SecurityLocal Organizing
Trump’s Budget: What You Need To KnowExplainers
Families USA: Tracking Trump Administration efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care ActRecess Toolkit
How to Have a Successful District Office VisitLocal Organizing
MORE FROM THE INDIVISIBLOG
Time for Truth-Telling: Non-Partisan Congressional Budget Office Analyzes GOP Health Bill
Angel Padilla | Indivisible | May 25, 2017
Image courtesy of Indivisible San Francisco
This Memorial Day recess is a test. The Trump administration is forcing our movement to play defense on multiple fronts. The fate of the ACA is now in the hands of a Republican-led Senate that has tried to repeal it for 7 years. The connections between the Trump camp and Russian officials are coming more and more into focus, clearer than ever before. The Trump budget proposal is out and it is as draconian as any we’ve ever seen. And, on June 7, the House GOP will vote on a bill that would gut protections for families from big Wall Street banks who would do us harm.
As former congressional staffers, Indivisible would like to help you make sense of the noise coming out of Washington. Here are the things we think you should be prioritizing this Memorial Day recess. And here are some sample town hall questions to help you.
DEFENDING THE ACA IN THE SENATE
We always assumed we’d find ourselves here, fighting to stop TrumpCare in the Senate. The fact that it’s Memorial Day and the Senate is only now taking up the bill is a testament to the Indivisible movement. The priority now is to kill the bill in the Senate. If you can talk about only one thing this Memorial Day recess, it should be about this.
The message that Republican Senators have gotten from their leadership is to use this Memorial Day recess as a “barometer” for the type of backlash they might expect if they vote to repeal the ACA, and kick millions of Americans off of their health insurance. We know now from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that TrumpCare would result in 23 million Americans losing their coverage, higher out-of-pocket costs, the elimination of protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and a return to the chaos that preceded the ACA. And, all to give the rich a giant tax break. That is why this is such a critical moment. If Senators don’t feel the pressure from their constituents, they will quickly move to repeal the ACA as the House did earlier this month.
Make sure they hear from you. Go to their town halls and demand that they oppose ACA-repeal. Visit their regional offices and make phone calls. If you have a Republican senator, tell them that you don’t want them siding with Trump over you when it comes to access to health care. If you have a Democratic senator, make sure they’re not negotiating with Republicans on ACA repeal.
REJECTING TRUMP’S BILLIONAIRE BUDGET
Trump’s proposed 2018 budget is a budget for billionaires. It would slash funding for public education, repairing roads and bridges, and protecting the environment. It would make painful cuts to entitlements and other programs that help families maintain basic living standards. It would even break Trump’s promise not to cut Social Security.
Why take so many drastic measures? So that he can give his millionaire and billionaire friends a giant tax break. Trump wants to give the average millionaire a $250,000 tax break, while completely eliminating programs that working families rely on to put food on the table.
But remember: the President doesn’t set the budget—Congress does. You can fight this budget and the bad ideas that drive it. We expect many Members of Congress, even Republicans, to say they don’t support the Trump budget—but that’s not enough. They need to reject the flawed principles behind it as well. Tell your MoCs to reject cuts to entitlements, any funding for a border wall Americans don’t want, and the billions of dollars in increased defense spending that come at the expense of funding to educate our kids, pursue life-saving medical cures, and protect the environment.
IT’S TIME FOR CONGRESS TO CHOOSE TRUTH OVER TRUMP ON RUSSIA
Thanks to your pressure, the Department of Justice has finally appointed a special counsel to lead the investigation into Russia’s interference in our election and the Trump camp’s troubling connection to Russia. It’s a real victory—one we should all feel proud of. But it’s not enough. We need to be sure that many of the important facts of this investigation get aired publicly, and that Trump can’t just fire the person doing the investigation. Congress cannot sit on the sidelines while the whole country still waits.
This recess, remind your MoC that they have the power to create an independent commission to look into these matters. For House Members, that means supporting the discharge petition on the Protecting our Democracy Act (H.R.356). For Senators, there is (S.27), a bill to establish a commission of independent experts to examine the facts regarding Russia and the 2016 election.
Congress also has the power to force Donald Trump to release his tax returns, a campaign promise he never fulfilled. Every president since Jimmy Carter has released their tax returns. Why? It demonstrates that they don’t have conflicts of interest, which is more urgent than ever now with questions swirling about Trump’s Russia connections.
Congressional leadership has refused to bring a vote on a bill that would disclose Trump’s returns—the Presidential Tax Transparency Act (H.R. 305). This recess is a chance to remind your House member that they don’t have to wait for Speaker Paul Ryan to decide the American people deserve transparency. They can force a vote on this important bill by signing on to Rep. Anna Eshoo’s discharge petition. The petition needs 218 signatures to force a vote and over 190 MoCs have already come out in support. Find out where yours stands through this link.
PROTECTING OUR SAVINGS, HOMES AND JOBS FROM WALL STREET
If Trump’s inaugural “billionaire budget” wasn’t proof enough, Donald Trump and his friends in Congress are out to do Wall Street as many favors as they have days left in power. For the House of Representatives, that has meant moving along the so-called “Financial CHOICE Act” (H.R. 10), a bill that eliminates major consumer safeguards and checks on corporate misbehavior created in the wake of the disastrous financial crisis. House Republicans are hoping to sneak this bill through without Americans knowing. This recess is your chance to tell your MoC to keep the guard rails on our financial system and say no to the #WrongCHOICEAct.
This Memorial Day recess, as you celebrate with your friends and family, make sure that you also find time to tell your senators and representatives about what matters most to you. Your resistance has has already changed outcomes. Keep the heat on your MoCs, and together we will win.
Angel Padilla is the Policy Director, co-founder, and original co-author at Indivisible. As Policy Director, Angel oversees the policy team, which is tasked with demystifying Congress for the 6000+ Indivisible groups around the country. Prior to Indivisible, Angel led that National Immigration Law Center's federal immigrant health policy agenda. He also served as an immigration policy consultant at National Council of La Raza. Before that, he was a legislative assistant for Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), advising on issues related to health care and the Affordable Care Act, among others.
LATEST RESISTANCE RESOURCES
Is your Republican Member of Congress Lying to you about TrumpCare?Explainers
Digital Communications SecurityLocal Organizing
Trump’s Budget: What You Need To KnowExplainers
Families USA: Tracking Trump Administration efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care ActRecess Toolkit
How to Have a Successful District Office VisitLocal Organizing
MORE FROM THE INDIVISIBLOG
Time for Truth-Telling: Non-Partisan Congressional Budget Office Analyzes GOP Health Bill