Petition to Congress: Support Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Accountable Capitalism Act

Petition to Congress: "Raise wages and fight inequality by forcing corporations to be accountable to employees and communities, not just shareholders. Support Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Accountable Capitalism Act." Add your name:

Conservative corporate puppets launched unhinged verbal attacks on Sen. Elizabeth Warren's new corporate reform bill. They said it is a plan to "nationalize… everything," amounts to "the wholesale expropriation of private enterprise in the United States and nothing less," and would "destroy capitalism."1 They're completely untethered from reality. In truth, Sen. Warren's bill would simply require corporations to care about more than just enriching executives and stockholders.2 We need to show how many of us have Sen. Warren's back and support making corporations accountable to employees and communities. Stand with Sen. Warren: Corporations must answer to workers and communities. Click here to sign the petition. Corporations only exist because government-granted charters allow them to profit, for instance, by protecting owners from full liability for anything the corporation does wrong. In return, corporate boards and executives used to believe they had a responsibility to do right by workers and communities as well as competing in the market. That all changed in the 1980s, when corporate executives began to focus narrowly on providing value to shareholders.3 The result? Executives get paid based on how much they can squeeze workers without regard for their health, the environment or the impact on communities. Focusing on shareholder value poured fuel on the flames of inequality. Today, CEOs make on average of 361 times more than their average worker, and the few Americans who own stock get most of the wealth created. Meanwhile, many companies aren't innovating, investing in future production or raising wages.4 Sen. Warren's plan makes corporations accountable to American interests, not their own. It would:5 Demand more of corporations. Corporations that rake in more than $1 billion would need to get a federal charter – not a lax state-based one – that includes new responsibilities to take communities and workers into account, modeled on existing "benefit corporations." Give workers more say. Under the new charters, employees would elect at least 40 percent of the corporate board of directors, a model proven effective in countries like Germany. That means workers would have a massive voice in compensating executives and setting priorities. Rein in inequality and political influence. Executives would face new limits on their ability to profit off of the sale of company stock. Corporations would not be able to spend any money influencing elections unless 75 percent of shareholders and directors approve it. The hate from right-wing Republicans and their Wall Street allies for this plan betrays their loyalty to the super-wealthy over widespread economic growth and raising wages. We need to stand with Sen. Warren and demand corporate reform now. Stand with Sen. Warren: Corporations must answer to workers and communities. Click below to sign the petition. https://act.credoaction.com/sign/warren_corporate_accountability?t=7&akid=29853%2E3130208%2E6Ih3KV -Josh Nelson, CREDO Action from Working Assets Add your name: References: Matt Yglesias, "Kevin Williamson’s unhinged attack on Elizabeth Warren’s corporate accountability bill, explained," Vox, Aug. 17, 2018. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, "Companies Shouldn’t Be Accountable Only to Shareholders," The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 14, 2018. Ibid. Matt Yglesias, "Elizabeth Warren has a plan to save capitalism," Vox, Aug. 15, 2018. Warren, "Companies Shouldn’t Be Accountable Only to Shareholders."

Tell the EPA: Keep, Don’t Drop, the Current Clean Car Standards

Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled a plan to roll back emissions standards for new cars. The rule change would freeze the average fuel efficiency standards at about 37 miles per gallon starting in 2021. This change would not only cost Americans more at the gas pump, but would also create billions more in costs by accelerating climate change and slowing clean car innovation.

This week, take action about this rule change by submitting a public comment to the EPA. It’s always best to make your comment as personal as possible, but if you need some help, here’s a sample comment to inspire you:

I am strongly opposed to this rule change, which will cause an increase in pollution from vehicles and cost Americans like me at the gas pump. The existing average fuel efficiency standards for the model years 2022 through 2026 were achievable and sensible. Rolling back these rules would be a step in the wrong direction, and would not result in better safety or health outcomes. The EPA's own staff dispute your methodology and your conclusions, as they are not supportable by evidence.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed Rule: The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks

Make your comment here.

- The Years Project 

Tell Pepsi’s departing CEO’s Indra Nooyi to cut ties with palm oil villain IndoFood and fix Pepsi’s palm oil policy

Pepsi’s CEO is stepping down, leaving a legacy filled with rainforest destruction, dying orangutans, and exploited workers for cheap palm oil. But Indra Nooyi wants to be remembered for the good work she’s done. A huge public campaign could push her to fix Pepsi’s palm oil policy before she leaves.

Tell Indra Nooyi to make her final act count for the planet and close the loopholes in Pepsi’s palm oil policy.

SIGN THE PETITION

Pepsi’s palm-oil record is ugly. Now its CEO of 12 years, Indra Nooyi, is stepping down -- and it’s our chance to push her to do the right thing and clear her legacy of the illegal rainforest destruction and worker abuse happening on palm oil plantations.

The CEO wants to be remembered for the good work she’s done and with your help, we can point her in the right direction. It’s actually pretty simple, all that she needs to do is deliver on Pepsi’s outstanding palm oil promises before she steps down on October 3rd.

The big issue clouding Nooyi’s legacy? Pepsi’s business partnership with Indonesian palm oil vilain IndoFood -- guilty of destroying rainforests and ongoing human rights abuses on its plantations.

Sign the petition telling Pepsi’s departing CEO Indra Nooyi to cut ties with IndoFood and fix Pepsi’s palm oil policy for good.

Pepsi’s business partner IndoFood is one of the industry’s worst offenders.Multiple investigations have exposed a culture of disregard for environmental laws, and a feudal attitude towards its workers.

Under Nooyi’s leadership, Pepsi has tried to fool us with warm words about its palm oil commitments and the loopholes allowing Indofood to act like a bully.

The cold fact is, CEO Indra Nooyi has been trying to pass the buck on the issue for years. Pepsi profits from palm oil destruction through its Joint Venture Partnership with IndoFood.

But Indra Nooyi knows her last few weeks as CEO are crucial. She won’t want her name to be mired in a huge public campaign and media storm about palm oil scandals, while her critics and business leaders are writing up articles about her legacy.

Please sign the petition to urge Indra Nooyi, in her last few weeks as CEO, to take action for the planet and the people.

Sign the petition telling Pepsi’s departing CEO’s Indra Nooyi to cut ties with palm oil vilain IndoFood and fix Pepsi’s palm oil policy for good.

Palm oil destruction is wreaking havoc in Southeast Asia. The Indonesian island of Borneo loses an area of forest the size of a football pitch EVERY 47 seconds. And as forests are cleared for palm oil, endangered species like orangutans and pygmy elephants lose their habitat and die.

In the last 16 years, half of Borneo’s orangutan population was wiped out.

SumOfUs members have shamed palm-oil guzzling brands into action before. Last year, over 200,000 of us signed a petition telling Nestle to drop their Guatemalan palm oil supplier REPSA, after it was found guilty of ecocide, causing massive fish and wildlife die-offs -- and we won!

Together, we can push Indra Nooyi to come good on her promises, and leave a legacy to be proud of at Pepsi. Can you sign the petition to push Indra Nooyi to make her final act count for the planet and the people?

SIGN THE PETITION

- SumOfUs


More information:

Profits Over People and Planet: Exposing PepsiCo's Real Agenda, Rainforest Action Network, April 2017
PepsiCo and Nestlé Criticised Over Palm Oil Rainforest Clearance in Borneo, The Grocer, 12 April 2018
The Human Cost of Conflict Palm Oil, Rainforest Action Network, June 2016

Write a letter to Pepsico today! 

How to stand up to Trump Collusion and oust Kavanaugh

This Week in Trump Collusion” timeline:

→ Tuesday: Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty on charges of bank and tax fraud. THEN former Trump attorney Michael Cohen pled guilty to campaign finance violations.
→ Wednesday: The revelations on the Cohen investigation prompted Democrats to call for a delay on the confirmation process for Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. And New York state investigators issued a subpoena to Cohen as part of their investigation into the Trump Foundation.
→ Thursday: We found out that National Enquirer publisher David Pecker received immunity from federal prosecutors for providing information on the Trump and Cohen hush money investigations. After Trump threw a Twitter tantrum, and called Paul Manafort a “brave man,” it was reported that Trump is considering a pardon for Manafort (reminder: this is a big, glaring red line and we’ll be ready).
→ Hours before we wrote this email: News broke that Trump organization finance chief, Allen Weisselberg, would be granted immunity in the Cohen investigation as well.

Bottom line: Even before the continuing drip-drip of collusion, there were plenty of reasons for your senators to oppose Kavanaugh based on his record.

Brett Kavanaugh's record shows that he is willing to protect Trump from accountability for his corruption and crimes, dismantle environmental protections, and side with the wealthy and powerful over working people. 

Now, there’s no excuse for inaction. We know that Brett Kavanaugh does not believe a sitting president can be indicted, or should even be investigated. It’s clear that Trump engaged in criminal activity during the campaign, and he chose Kavanaugh in order to shield himself from accountability when the Supreme Court inevitably weighs in on Trump’s crimes and corruption.

That’s why it is imperative that we stop Kavanaugh now. Trump has hand-picked the Supreme Court nominee that would have the ability to exonerate him. Yet, there are 26 senators that are still undecided. That’s unacceptable.

Here’s how you hold your members of Congress (and Trump) accountable:

• Find out where your senators stand on Kavanaugh. Our policy team has put together a handy tracker to find out whether your senator has publicly opposed, supported, or is on the fence. If you want to go the extra mile, there are even judiciary staff contacts for each senator listed in the tracker that you can email to voice your opposition!
• Democratic senators must speak up. It’s important to publicly oppose Kavanaugh ahead of the confirmation hearings coming up on September 4. There are still key Democrats that need to voice their position, like Senators Donnelly, Heitkamp, and Manchin. And Senator Schumer must especially work to whip the votes and keep Democrats together.
• Flip key Republicans. We still haven’t heard Senator Murkowski’s stance, and though Senator Collins is leaning “yes,” that doesn’t mean that there isn’t enough time to change her mind with strong constituent opposition. You can find our updated call scripts here and start making calls on Monday.

Let’s keep our eyes on what’s important

On weeks where the news is chaos (or pretty much a dumpster fire), it’s important for us to not get distracted. There’s only one way to make sure that these fights stop coming down to the wire -- Vote. Them. Out. We need to #DoTheWork to vote out those members of Congress that either avoid their constituents or blatantly ignore their constituents needs. Here’s how you can do that:

✔️ Don’t wait another moment to register to vote.  Help your friends and family get registered, too! Check out our voter registration tool at indivisible.turbovote.org to get started.
✔️ Find an electoral event near you. So many Indivisible groups across the country are canvassing and holding phone or text bank drives. Find your local event on our map and get involved today.
✔️Support our IndivisiCandidates. Indivisible groups endorsed locally and nominated candidates for national endorsements. You can find our most recent list of 45!! Indivisible endorsed candidates here.

If your MoC hasn’t shown up to a town hall in months, if they only have private events during recess, or if they’ve consistently voted with the Trump administration despite their flooded phone lines -- 👏VOTE👏THEM👏OUT👏 and elect the people who have shown commitment and accountability to their communities.

- INDIVISIBLE 

Petition to support Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act

Petition to Congress: "End the culture of corruption that corporate cronies in both parties have enabled for far too long. Support Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act." Add your name:

Corruption is at the heart of the Trump administration and the way Washington operates, but progressive champion Sen. Elizabeth Warren has had enough. She just unveiled powerful, comprehensive new anti-corruption legislation, and now she needs our help to push it forward.1 Stand with Sen. Warren: End the culture of corruption. Click here to sign the petition. The sad fact, though, is that Trump is just the blinding tip of an iceberg that has been hiding beneath Washington's bipartisan waters for far too long. Business-as-usual in Washington means that government employees jump to lucrative jobs with the industries they used to regulate, members of Congress lobby their former colleagues, and judges benefit from perks and speaking engagements funded by corporate cash.3 In a major public address, Sen. Warren just rolled out a plan to strike at the heart of the culture of corruption that encompasses both parties. The sweeping legislation would:2  Crack down on the revolving door between industry and government by banning lucrative golden parachutes for taking government jobs and blocking members of Congress from making stock trades. Ban senior elected and administration officials from ever becoming lobbyists and make other changes to reform lobbying and ensure members of Congress act more independently of lobbyists. Toughen ethics requirements across the board including stronger ethics requirements on increasingly pro-Wall Street judges and a stricter enforcement of anti-corruption laws on judges and the executive branch. Make government more transparent by forcing candidates and elected officials to disclose more about their finances, shining a light on the corporate cash flooding Washington and opening Congress's work to the public eye. Trump is benefiting because of a Washington culture of corporate corruption decades in the making. It's time to start fighting back. Stand with Sen. Warren: End the culture of corruption. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/warren_anti_corruption?t=7&akid=29761%2E3130208%2EmJosHD -Josh Nelson, CREDO Action Add your name: References: David Weigel, "Elizabeth Warren unveils anti-corruption plan, takes aim at Trump," Washington Post, Aug. 21, 2018. Sen. Elizabeth Warren"Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act," Aug. 21, 2018. More information: Sen. Elizabeth Warren just unveiled a dramatic plan to eradicate Washington corruption

Call Sen. Jeff Flake: Support Sen. Murphy's amendment to stop Saudi-led war in Yemen

For nearly three years, the United States quietly assisted Saudi Arabia in its war in Yemen. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy just introduced an amendment in the Senate that would end U.S. funding for this brutal war. The vote could come as soon as today. Will you call Sen. Flake now?

On Aug. 9, the Saudi-led coalition responsible for the brutal war in Yemen dropped a U.S-made bomb on a school bus and killed 44 children.1 This tragedy shattered the media silence about the United States' role in funding this devastating war. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy just introduced an amendment that would end that financial support and help force the war to an end. The Senate could vote any time this week, and Sen. Flake, your senator, could be the deciding vote. Will you call Sen. Flake now to demand his support for Sen. Murphy's amendment?  (202) 224-04521 (520) 575-8633 SAMPLE SCRIPT Hi, my name is ____ and I live in Tucson, AZ. I’m calling to tell Sen. Flake to support Senator Chris Murphy’s amendment to the 2019 Defense Appropriations Act that would cut off U.S. funding for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. Saudis rely on American support and use American-made weapons for their devastating war. On Aug. 9, the Saudi-led coalition dropped a U.S. made bomb on a school bus and killed 40 children. Can I count on Sen. Flake to end our participation in this brutal war? Thank you for your time. For years, the United States has been quietly supporting Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen. The U.S. government gives Saudi Arabia bombs and planes. U.S. troops even deliver fuel to Saudi jets in midair while they conduct bombings.2 The U.S. helped cause what the U.N. calls the world's gravest humanitarian crisis and helped drive more than 8 million Yemenis to the brink of famine, and cause the worst cholera epidemic in history.3,4 Murphy's amendment to the massive, must-pass 2019 defense appropriations bill would shut down U.S. funding for this brutal war unless the secretary of defense certifies the Saudi-led coalition is not violating international law. A coalition that is blowing up school buses, weddings and hospitals is definitely violating international law. Sen. Murphy’s amendment would effectively stop our tax dollars from flowing into the war in Yemen. Mitch McConnell is trying every trick in the book to block Sen. Murphy’s amendment from even getting to a vote. If key senators, including Sen. Flake, hear from their constituents demanding their support for Sen. Murphy’s amendment, we can make it clear that the time for ignoring our role in Yemen's war is over. Will you call Sen. Flake now to demand his support for Sen. Murphy's amendment? (520) 575-8633 -Kaili Lambe, CREDO Action References: Shuaib Almosawa, Ben Hubbard and Eric Schmitt, "44 Small Graves Stir Questions About U.S. Policy in Yemen,” The New York Times, Aug. 15, 2018. Paul Kawika Martin, "End America’s unauthorized war in Yemen," The Hill, March 4, 2018. Shuaib Almosawa, Ben Hubbard and Troy Griggs, "‘It’s a Slow Death’: The World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis," The New York Times, Aug. 23, 2017. Kate Lyons, "Yemen's cholera outbreak now the worst in history as millionth case looms," The Guardian, Oct. 12, 2017.

Submit a Public Comment opposing EPA's Do-Nothing Rule

In February, 2016 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) settled a lawsuit by committing to develop a program to prevent and clean up chemical spills into our nation’s water bodies.

Now EPA has unveiled the details of this hazardous spill prevention program: No program!

This is an issue of environmental injustice, demonstrated by the presence of aboveground storage tanks in communities around the country, often in poor and low income areas.

This is a drinking water issue. We often don’t know where these storage tanks are. If a leak or spill gets into a drinking water source, public health can be at risk, tap water can be disrupted, or we might not even know about it.

This is a Clean Water Act issue. Congress required a rulemaking process in the original Clean Water Act and it has never happened. EPA's argument that existing programs take care of this problem is simply unfounded.

EPA is accepting comments on this idea until August 24. Tell EPA that our drinking water sources, rivers, lakes, and streams need protection from leaking storage tanks and other chemical spills that threaten our health, our water, and wildlife.

- Lynn Thorp, Clean Water Action

EPA is taking comments on their proposal NOT to set up a program to prevent leaks and spills of hazardous substances into water.

Click here to send the following message:

Subject: Re: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OLEM-2018-0024

Prevent Chemical Spills Into Water and Protect Drinking Water Sources  

I urge EPA to reconsider its decision not to develop safeguards to prevent spills of hazardous substances into rivers, lakes, streams, and other water bodies. The Clean Water Act directs EPA to set up this program. Existing laws and regulations do not ensure that drinking water sources and all of our water are protected. 

Facilities handling hazardous substances should develop comprehensive plans to prevent discharges into water. 

---

More information:

Protecting Drinking Water From Hazardous Spills

Tell the EPA Why a Strong Chemical Disaster Rule is Vital: A Public Comment Guide

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is attempting to reverse critical improvements to the EPA’s chemical facility safety standards known as the Risk Management Program (RMP), or the “Chemical Disaster Rule.” The proposed changes attempt to eliminate the vast majority of the improvements made to the RMP, putting millions of people—particularly vulnerable populations of low-income communities and communities of color—at risk. The EPA is accepting public comments on these dangerous new changes. Written comments must be submitted to the regulatory docket by August 23.

How to submit a comment:

Go to the public comment page on Regulations.gov for the proposed policy (docket EPA-HQ-OEM-2015-0725-0890) and click on the “Comment Now!” button. Make sure all documents contain your name and contact information. Be sure to submit your comment by August 23, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. ET and check your email for a receipt confirmation. While a submission can be typed directly into the website, uploading a separate document may be easier for you edit, save, and submit.

Tips for writing a comment:

Remember that the most effective comments are thorough, unique, and specific. The public comment process allows scientists and the public to help agencies understand the full range of consequences of a proposed rule. Arguments made during this process are often used as evidence for any future court challenge.

Write concisely but provide the relevant details.

• Describe any personal impact of the proposed rule:
• If you are a scientist, technical expert, community member that lives near or works in a facility, first responder, or member of another impacted group, indicate this in the comment.
• Use the online map in this report of chemical facility incidents to highlight any of the ~2,300 incidents from 2004-2013 and the most recent EPA incident data from 2014-1016 which identifies 458 incidents since EPA started working on the Rule.
• It is not sufficient to simply disagree with the agency’s policy judgments; this is a qualitative exercise, not a poll. Explain why you disagree.

What to Address

The Obama Administration issued an Executive Order (EO) tasking key federal agencies with reviewing and improving their existing chemical safety programs. Before the rule was finalized, the EPA engaged in extensive outreach with all stakeholders including the chemical industries and the public. The Trump Administration put on hold the implementation of the new RMP regulations, and in the new proposal, it revokes important improvements to the program.

Address the benefits to public and worker health and safety provided by the 2017 RMP rule that the proposed rule eliminates. And address the potential negative impacts, the flaws in EPA’s justifications for its proposed changes of the proposed rule, overlooked impacts, and intended or unintended consequences. If you are a scientist or technical expert who has them available, attach key studies and research so they are on the record. The following are critical areas to address, and guidance on how to respond to these points.

The new rule:

• Eliminates a requirement that the most dangerous facilities undertake a safer technology alternatives assessment.
• Address the importance of industries seeking out solutions that pose less risk and danger to their employees and surrounding communities.
• Removes a requirement that an “incident analysis” include determining the “root cause” of accidents and near-misses; that the team investigating an incident include at least one person knowledgeable in the process; and the requirement to include incident investigation reports in hazard reviews.
• Highlight how root cause analyses, knowledgeable investigative teams, and documentation of investigations are critical to accountability.
• No longer requires qualified, independent, third-party audits to be conducted when a facility has an incident to ensure the cause of the incident is addressed.
• Speak to the importance of independent, third-party audits.
• Strikes a provision that requires facilities to provide the public with information critical to understanding the potential risks from these facilities, including how to communities protect themselves and what potential health risks they might face from an incident.

Address how access to sources like emergency plans and contact information for coordinating officials in local government is helpful to personal and family plans should a chemical disaster occur.
Deletes the requirement that facilities provide emergency planners and first responders with essential information needed for responding to a chemical release allowing companies to claim “confidential business information,” and either provide limited or no information.

First responders and emergency personnel need information and better coordination between emergency responders and facilities with the potential for catastrophic damages.

Additional References

1. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) recommendations on documenting and implementing the use of IST analysis and incident investigations.
2. A 2016 report finds that people of color make up nearly one-half of the total population living within a one-mile “fenceline zone” near these dangerous facilities and are almost twice as likely as whites to live in these areas.
3. A 2014 report shows that almost 135 million people live within “vulnerability zones” (the area potentially impacted by a worst case chemical release) of more than 3,400 of the highest-risk RMP facilities.
4. Children are particularly vulnerable to the potential health impacts from exposure to toxic chemicals.
5. The 2017 Arkema chemical facility disaster underscores the potential impact from the delay in imposing the 2017 RMP rule requirements.
6. Comments submitted by several national security experts in support of the Chemical Disaster Rule.
7. Report on the incidents since the delay of the Obama era rule.
8. The background of the rule as well as the summary of proposed changes to understand the context of the agency’s current proposal.

-  CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND DEMOCRACY

More information: 

New Report: One Year In, EPA Chemical Rule Delay Allows Chemical Disasters to Continue

Demand that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stop the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline

Siding with NRDC, a federal judge just rejected the Trump administration’s attempts to fast-track the Keystone XL pipeline — the fossil fuel monstrosity that would carry 830,000 barrels of dirty tar sands oil each day from Canada's boreal forest through America's heartland.

This massive pipeline would threaten land, climate, and drinking water supplies, keep us rooted in the dirty fossil fuels of the past, and slow our path to a clean energy future.

Enough is enough — Keystone XL is all risk and absolutely no reward.

Now, the fate of this climate-wrecking pipeline lies with Trump’s State Department.

Demand that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stop the reckless Keystone XL tar sands pipeline once and for all!

Click here to send the following message to:

Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State

Subject line:

Stop the Keystone XL pipeline once and for all!

(Consider adding your own thoughts — personalized messages are especially effective)

Dear Sec. Pompeo and the State Department:

I'm appalled to learn that the State Department was attempting to cut corners and fast-track its environmental review of the Keystone XL pipeline's new route in Nebraska. 

It's critical that you comply with the recent federal court order and complete a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement to fully assess the environmental impacts of this disastrous project.

Keystone XL threatens land, climate, and drinking water supplies for farmers, ranchers, Indigenous people, and other communities. And the pipeline keeps us rooted in the dirty fossil fuels of the past instead of moving us toward a clean energy future.

Enough is enough. It's time for the State Department to stop this irresponsible project once and for all! Thank you.

Tell the DNC: Stop taking fossil fuel contributions (again)

The petition to the Democratic National Committee reads: "Reinstate the ban on accepting fossil fuel contributions." Add your name:

In June, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) voted unanimously to stop taking fossil fuel contributions. In a secretive move less than two months later, DNC Chairman Tom Perez led a successful resolution to start taking them again.1 Perez and the DNC are siding with the oil and coal companies driving us toward climate catastrophe. As wildfires rage and heat waves break records across the globe,2 Democrats can and must do better. Tell the DNC: Stop taking fossil fuel money. Click here to sign the petition. A DNC spokesperson claimed that the June fossil fuel money ban hurt rank-and-file workers in the fossil fuel industry. But fossil fuel workers and unions would have been free to donate to Democrats even under the original ban. The real problem is donations from corporate PACs – which are funded by company executives.3 Under the Perez resolution, the DNC can go back to taking these PAC donations. The idea that we must choose between workers and the environment is outdated, dangerous and simply incorrect. Instead of claiming to support fossil fuel workers by caving to corporate contributors, Democrats should be laying out a vision for a clean energy economy that retrains workers and creates good jobs that will outlast these polluting industries. Perez's resolution even refers to "America’s all-of-the-above energy economy."4 The DNC struck this language from its platform back in 2016 after progressive activists forced Democrats to recognize that fighting the climate crisis doesn't allow us to support an energy strategy that legitimizes the continued burning of fossil fuels.5 Bringing this idea back now is a dangerous backtrack on the progress we have made in the transition away from dirty energy. Perez and the Democratic Party leadership who voted for his proposal are out of step with their base and candidates across the country. Over 900 local, state and national candidates and office-holders have signed the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge, a promise to not accept contributions of over $200 from fossil fuel interests. Signers include Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Barbara Lee and House of Representatives candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.6 The Democratic Party claims to have a commitment to fighting climate change. But until we get fossil fuel money out of politics, we won't get the climate solutions we need. Tom Perez and the rest of the DNC need to stop playing games with our future and start listening to those of us fighting to save it. Tell the DNC: Stop taking fossil fuel money. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/DNC-fossilfuels?t=7&akid=29734%2E3130208%2EEXx02b - Brandy Doyle, CREDO Action Add your name: References: Lisa Hagen and Timothy Cama, "DNC reverses ban on fossil fuel donations," The Hill, Aug. 10, 2018. Eric Levenson and Brandon Miller, "2018 is on pace to be the 4th-hottest year on record," CNN, July 28, 2018. Kate Aronoff, "DNC pretends respect for workers requires it to take corporate money from Big Oil," The Intercept, Aug. 13, 2018. Ibid. Ibid. "Tell Our Leaders: Take the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge," accessed Aug. 20, 2018.

Tell your Senator: Nobody is above the law. Vote against Trump's Supreme Court Nomination

At this point you know the drill: another day, another breaking scandal about a corrupt member of President Trump’s inner circle. Yet Republicans want to let Trump make another lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court while he’s under active criminal investigation. Donald Trump cannot appoint a Supreme Court justice who could vote to protect him from the investigations into his potential collusion with Russia and other crimes.

This appointment is a loser for democratic legitimacy. Democrats must stand together to oppose it, and at least one Republican must join them.

Contact Senators Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake now. Urge them to stop the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

Sen. John McCain

(202) 224-2235

(520) 670-6334

https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form

Sen. Jeff Flake
202-224-4521

520-575-8633

https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-jeff

Sample script:

Donald Trump cannot appoint a Supreme Court justice who could vote to protect him from the investigations into his potential collusion with Russia and other crimes. As your constituent, I demand you vote against Brett Kavanaugh's nomination.

----

Trump hasn’t even been president for two years yet, and these are some of the people he’s hired in the past couple years:

1. Campaign chairman Paul Manafort -- currently on trial for financial crimes
2. Campaign aide Rick Gates -- pled guilty
3. National security advisor Michael Flynn -- pled guilty
4. National security advisor George Papadopoulos -- pled guilty
5. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt -- resigned in disgrace
6. Aide Omarosa Manigault-Newman -- breached security protocol in Situation Room and illicitly recorded colleagues

Again: that’s just a partial list, and that’s just from the past couple years. Yet Trump is someone we should trust to fill a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court? After his lawyer said Trump would fight a subpoena from the Mueller investigation all the way to that very same Supreme Court?

Not on our watch.

Trump isn’t fit to make this lifetime appointment. Call Senators Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake now and urge them to take a stand against Kavanaugh’s illegitimate nomination before it’s too late.

We still have time left to turn the tide in the Senate against Brett Kavanaugh’s illegitimate nomination -- but not much. Hearings start after Labor Day.

- LegitAction Team

Tell Secretary of Defense James Mattis and CFPB Director Mick Mulvaney: Don't let Wall Street exploit service members

Petition to Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Acting Director Mick Mulvaney: Cease your plans to roll back enforcement of the bipartisan Military Lending Act and end rules against auto gap insurance markups." Add your name:

Earlier this week, Trump was forced to back down from his plans for a wasteful, exploitative military parade this November. Now his regime is plotting to let Wall Street exploit service members.1,2  In recent reports indicate that the Department of Defense and Mick Mulvaney, Trump's handpicked agent of destruction at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, are actively working on detailed plans to sabotage financial protections for members of military.3 Trump can't claim he cares about military service while feeding service members to predatory lenders.  Tell Secretary of Defense James Mattis and CFPB Director Mick Mulvaney: Don't let Wall Street exploit service members. Click here to sign the petition. Though he cancelled his proposed Veterans' Day 2018 parade after reports that it could cost as much as $92 million, Trump is taking two different steps to let Wall Street prey on service members. The Department of Defense is considering ending rules that keep car dealerships from scamming service members through outrageous markups on a type of car insurance called GAP insurance that service members could acquire cheaply elsewhere.4 Payday lenders often set up shop right outside military bases, directly targeting troops with false promises and deceptive terms and have sucked in a higher percentage of military families than the general public.5 The bipartisan Military Lending Act protects against these and other scams, but Mulvaney has plans to rollback MLA enforcement.6 One retired Army colonel called Trump's plans to stop enforcement "removing the sentries from the guard posts."7  Tell Mattis and Mulvaney: Don't let Wall Street exploit service members. Click here to sign the petition. Trump's deportation task force at ICE consistently rounds up and deports veterans who have served in the military.8 His administration was recently forced, under intense pressure, to suspend its cruel discharging of undocumented immigrant recruits who had joined the military with a promise that their service would help them gain a path to citizenship.9 He spent his campaign attacking prisoners of wars and Gold Star parents.  Tell Mattis and Mulvaney: Don't let Wall Street exploit service members. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/trump_mla?t=8&akid=29701%2E3130208%2EmbdRbH -Heidi Hess, CREDO Action Add your name: References: Eileen Sullivana et al., "Trump Cancels Military Parade, Blaming Washington Officials for Inflating Costs," The New York Times, Aug. 17, 2018. Chris Arnold, "White House Takes Aim At Financial Protections For Military," NPR, Aug. 13, 2018. Ibid. Sullivan et al., "Trump Cancels Military Parade, Blaming Washington Officials for Inflating Costs." Arnold, "White House Takes Aim At Financial Protections For Military." Ibid. Ibid. Kristine Phillips, “The story behind this powerful photo of deported military veterans saluting the U.S. flag,” The Washington Post, Nov. 16, 2017. CBS News, "Army temporarily suspends discharges of immigrant recruits seeking path to citizenship," Aug. 9, 2018.

Tell the Senate: Block and resist chemical executive Peter Wright at the EPA

The petition to the Senate reads: "Block and resist the confirmation of DowDupont lawyer Peter Wright as assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management." Add your name:

With Scott Pruitt leaving in shame, things at the EPA are now going from bad to worse: a DowDupont executive is reportedly overseeing Superfund projects to clean up the toxic and deadly chemical spills his company is responsible for – all without the required Senate confirmation. Peter Wright, a lawyer for Dow and a former Monsanto employee, is already working at the EPA, occupying a desk at the agency and serving as “special counsel to the administrator," completely skirting Senate confirmation rules.1 This outrageous conflict of interest comes at a time when the EPA is facing scandal after scandal, yet the Senate committee responsible for overseeing the EPA recently approved Wright's nomination. We must build public pressure on the full Senate to reject his nomination ahead of his confirmation vote. Tell the Senate: Block and resist chemical executive Peter Wright at the EPA. Click here to sign the petition. According to a biography by the American Bar Association, Wright managed "the legal issues and outside counsel with respect to Dow’s largest and most significant environmental matter, the mid-Michigan dioxin matter," a toxic Superfund site that Dow has been litigating for more than 40 years and has yet to clean up.2 The dioxin contamination, which is highly toxic and linked to a whole host of health problems including cancer, extends 50 miles down the Tittabawassee and Saginaw rivers and into the Saginaw Bay, and continuously threatens communities along its banks.3 Earlier this year, Dow won a major lawsuit that prevented local residents from suing the company for the dioxin contamination.4 Wright's nomination is yet another example of the Trump administration's cozy relationship with Dow Chemical. Dow Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris headed up Trump's now-disbanded American Manufacturing Council, and last year, the company donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee.5 So it wasn't a surprise that after a brief meeting with Liveris last March, then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt overturned an Obama-era rule banning chlorpyrifos, the popular brain-harming pesticide manufactured by Dow.6 The full Senate is set to take up Wright's nomination very soon, so we must act now to stop another dangerous Trump nominee from devastating our environment. Tell the Senate: Block and resist chemical executive Peter Wright at the EPA. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/reject_wright?t=7&akid=29698%2E3130208%2E_Cikw8 - Josh Nelson, CREDO Action Add your name: References: Mark Hand, "Former industry officials are advising new EPA head before they’re confirmed," ThinkProgress, July 10, 2018. American Bar Association, "Making Rain: How to Bring Your Next Environmental Case Into the Door and Keep Them Coming," accessed March 16, 2018. World Health Association, "Dioxins and their effects on human health," October 2016. Associated Press, "Dow Chemical wins key ruling in dioxin pollution dispute," Jan. 26, 2018. Bess Levin, "Dow Chemical Donates $1 Million to Trump, Asks Administration to Ignore Pesticide Study," Vanity Fair, April 20, 2017. Associated Press, "EPA chief met with Dow Chemical CEO before deciding not to ban toxic pesticide," June 30, 2017.