Week of February 27, 2017
Monday, Feb. 27
All day. Call SENATORS and HOUSE REPS and ask them to request Donald Trump’s tax returns from the Treasury Department. Donald Trump is the only president in our modern history not to release his tax returns. The American people deserve to know whether the president is following the law like the rest of us. Congress empowered itself in 1924 to obtain tax returns from executive branch employees, including the President. It has been used before, including to obtain Richard Nixon’s tax returns. Additional scripts are here.
All day. TX-21 (Lamar Smith’s Constituents): Tomorrow morning the House Judiciary Committee votes on a resolution (H. Res 111) requiring Attorney General Jeff Sessions to release documents related to corruption by Trump or his cronies, including ties to foreign governments. Lamar Smith is on this committee, please call and ask him to a) co-sponsor the bill, and b) vote FOR it.
All day. Call SENATORS and ask them to Vote No on the confirmation of Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary (vote is tonight):
Hello, I’m calling to ask my senator to vote NO on the nomination of Wilbur Ross as Commerce Secretary. I am concerned about Mr. Ross’ record of predatory business tactics which favor the corporation over the worker and his financial and political conflicts of interests. Mr. Ross has a long history of favoring the bottom line over that of the common man in many industries, from coal to banking. Thank you for your time.
Tuesday, Feb. 28
All day. Call SENATORS and ask them to vote No on Rick Perry as Energy Secretary. Sample Script:
Hi my name is ____, I am a constituent of Sen. [Cornyn or Cruz] and I am calling to urge you to vote “NO” on the confirmation of Rick Perry for Secretary of Energy. Gov. Perry has no scientific or professional background that qualifies him to serve in this role. His fundamental misunderstanding that the DOE is responsible for securing our nation’s nuclear arsenal makes him wholly unqualified for this role. Furthermore, he is on the record as a climate change skeptic, and I believe he is unlikely to continue the DOE’s cultivation of safe, renewable energy sources. I hope you will demand a higher qualification for this important position than political loyalty to the President-Elect. Thank you.
8 p.m. Indivisible Austin Weekly Conference Call
Dial-in Number: 1-712-770-8067
Conference Code: 409542
Wednesday, March 1
All day. Call SENATORS and HOUSE REPS and ask for an investigation into Trump’s ties with Russia.
Michael Flynn, disgraced former national security advisor to the Trump administration, resigned after it was discovered that he illegally contacted Russian officials prior to President Trump’s inauguration. In these conversations, Flynn discussed sanctions levied by President Obama against the country due to its involvement in the 2016 presidential election and urged Russia not to overreact to the action, making clear the sanctions would come under review after the inauguration.
Through these conversations, a non-elected official, appointed by a President-elect who had yet to take office, violated the Logan Act of 1799, which prohibits unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments that the US is engaged in disputes with. Not only did Flynn act illegally, his relations with Russia continue to reveal a troubling relationship between the Trump camp and Russia.
Most troubling of all, the White House knew about Flynn’s illegal communications with Russian officials for at least two weeks and did nothing about it. Flynn resigned only after the information became public through extensive reporting from major news outlets. It is not enough that Michael Flynn has resigned. This is a matter of national security that must be fully investigated by Congress.
Read more scripts and information abut Trump’s ties to Russia
Thursday, March 2
All day. UPDATE: As further evidence mounts of the Trump campaign’s direct ties to Russia, and AG Jeff Sessions lying under oath about his own conversations, it’s more urgent than ever to hold Trump’s enablers in congress accountable.
Call SENATORS and HOUSE REPS and demand a full, independent investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia—as well as the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions for lying under oath. Recusal is not enough; he MUST resign.
And if your MoC is on the House Oversight Committee, tell them to do their jobs and shine light into the dark corners of the federal government.
This is the House Oversight Committee’s Mission Statement:
Our mission statement is to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the federal government and all its agencies. We provide a check and balance on the role and power of Washington – and a voice to the people it serves.
House Oversight Committee Members from Texas:
- TX-27 Blake Farenthold
- TX-23 William Hurd
Our Members of Congress need to do their jobs!
WHILE YOU HAVE SENATORS ON THE PHONE: The full Senate will vote on the nomination of Ben Carson for HUD Secretary. Here’s our script:
I’m calling to urge you to block the appointment of Dr. Ben Carson as head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Carson himself admits that lacks the experience and expertise necessary for this, or any, cabinet position, and his retrograde statements on fair housing rules are a threat to the civil rights of countless American citizens. Please block Dr. Carson’s confirmation. Thank you.
Friday, March 3
ALERT! Two committees in the House appear to be planning to jam through legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act next Wednesday, March 8. Call HOUSE REPS—especially Bill Flores if you are in TX-17—and ask them not to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
I am calling to ask my representative to vote NO on the repeal of the ACA and the mandates which help Obamacare function. The ACA has made it possible for 20 million more Americans to get health insurance, and reduced the uninsured rate to the lowest in history, and made health insurance within reach of 17.6 million people. We should not return to the time when a family was an illness away from bankruptcy, and taxpayers had to pay $75 to $125 BILLION dollars for uncompensated emergency-room visits. Please vote NO on repealing the ACA/Obamacare without plans for a replacement.
This is especially important if your rep is on the House Ways and Means or Energy and Commerce Committee. These are the committees planning to vote Wednesday.
Texas Representatives on the House Energy and Commerce Committee:
- Joe Barton (R) – Vice Chairman
- Michael Burgess (R)
- Pete Olson (R)
- Bill Flores (R)
- Gene Green (D)
Texas Representatives on the House Ways and Means Committee
- Kevin Brady
- Sam Johnson (R)
- Kenny Marchant (R)
- Lloyd Doggett (D)
Read our deep-dive on the ACA.
Saturday, March 4
Take a rest today if you’re coming to our event tomorrow. Or check our calendar for community events happening today.
Sunday, March 5
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Indivisible Austin Citywide Gathering & Rally