Tell Congress: Stop using children as political pawns. Pass DACA and CHIP

After kicking the can down the road three times since last September, congressional leaders -- led by Speaker of the House Paul Ryan -- have had months to find a long-term solution to fund the federal government. 

They still haven't. 

Throughout this process, they've played partisan games with children's health insurance, and offered no serious solutions for the hundreds of thousands of young DACA recipients waiting for help -- despite consensus across the aisle to protect DREAMers.

This looming shutdown isn't about federal funding, or unsolvable political differences.

It's about ignoring a growing bipartisan consensus. The American people, overwhelmingly, want to fund the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and protect the 800,000 young immigrants who know America as their only home. 

This shutdown fight is about Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, along with the White House, refusing to do the right thing because of politics. It's about them playing to the most conservative members of their caucus instead of truly governing for the majority.

This is unacceptable, and it's proof of what we've known all along: Congressional leadership cannot govern responsibly. It's time we hold them accountable. Call a key senator today: 

https://www.ofa.us/take-action/call-congress/

SAMPLE SCRIPT

Hi, I'm [YOUR NAME] from [YOUR HOMETOWN AND STATE]. 

I'm calling to urge you to work across the aisle to fund CHIP and protect DACA recipients. There are millions of uninsured children who need health care, and hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients who go to our schools, serve in our military, contribute to our communities, and know this country as their home. They deserve permanent protection.

We shouldn't have to decide between taking care of kids and funding the government. Please, stop toying with the idea of a government shutdown and come up with a bipartisan solution to fund both of these programs - millions of lives depend on it.

Arizona citizens - here is your contact information. 

Sen. John McCain

P. 202-224-2235
F. 202-228-2862

Phoenix Office
P. 602-952-2410
F. 855-952-8702

Tucson Office
P. 520-670-6334
F. 855-952-8702

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

Sen. Jeff Flake

P. 202-224-4521
F: 202-228-0515

Phoenix Office
P: 602-840-1891
F: 602-840-4092

Tucson Office
P: 520-575-8633
F: 520-797-3232

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

More information:

G.O.P. to Use Children’s Health Insurance as Lure for Averting Shutdown

Children’s health insurance has become a political hostage

#DACA #CHIP

Make a call: Tell your senator to overturn the FCC and restore net neutrality!

We can't afford to lose net neutrality

Fifty U.S. senators have announced their support of a “resolution of disapproval” to overturn the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality. We need just one more vote in the Senate to win a huge victory for the open internet!

Twelve key senators are the most likely to be the crucial 51st vote to win:

Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John McCain (R-AZ), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Kennedy (R-LA), Dean Heller (R-NV), Rob Portman (R-OH), Bob Corker (R-TN), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)

Call your senator now. (Click links for contact info. AZ Senators below) Make sure they’re voting to save net neutrality!

Sample Script

Here’s what you can say:

"Hi, I’m a constituent from [YOUR TOWN]. Net neutrality is important to me, and strong FCC net neutrality rules are the best way to keep the open internet as a home for innovation and free speech.

"Without them, monopolistic companies like Comcast or Verizon will be able block or throttle what we do online."

"Will you cosponsor Senator Markey’s CRA “resolution of disapproval” to overturn the FCC’s repeal of Title II net neutrality rules?"

Sen. John McCain

P. 202-224-2235
F. 202-228-2862

Phoenix Office
P. 602-952-2410
F. 855-952-8702

Tucson Office
P. 520-670-6334
F. 855-952-8702

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

Sen. Jeff Flake

P. 202-224-4521
F: 202-228-0515

Phoenix Office
P: 602-840-1891
F: 602-840-4092

Tucson Office
P: 520-575-8633
F: 520-797-3232

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

Add your name to OPPOSE Trump's offshore oil disaster

Donald Trump is doing all he can to try to destroy the environment. From his nomination of Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA to his decision to close Bears Ears National Monument, Trump has shown zero regard for our planet.

Now Trump is proposing a new plan to help his Big Oil donor buddies at the expense of our Earth — by expanding offshore oil drilling on our coasts.

Add your name to OPPOSE Trump's offshore oil disaster »

America's coastlines are among the most majestic places on Earth. Yet Donald Trump's administration just announced plans to auction off drilling rights on the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts, as well as in the Arctic. Turning over these areas to the world's biggest polluters would devastate marine life, threaten fragile beaches, and jeopardize the health and economies of coastal communities.

We know that to block the worst effects of climate change, we have to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Climate change and pollution hurt already-marginalized people the most. This step would exacerbate cruel environmental injustices.

In addition, coastal drilling won't create long-term jobs or improve energy security. Let's block this dirty fossil fuel plan, and invest in clean, renewable energy that creates good jobs and secures our energy future.

Sponsored by these Members of Congress

Demand action and support climate disaster survivors

An $81-billion climate-disaster bill to help the survivors of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and the Western wildfires has languished since December. Right now, Congress isn’t planning to include any disaster relief in this week’s continuing resolution. As communities from Puerto Rico to California struggle to recover from these disasters, we cannot leave them behind.

It is critical that we drive as many calls to Congress right now to demand better for our fellow Americans under attack not just by fossil-fueled disasters but also their own government.

Make a call to your representative in Congress as they vote on the stopgap spending bill.

Let your Congressperson know you are paying attention to this vote and expect them to do much more in the days and months ahead:
-Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans are still without power, and will not have vital services restored for months
-The total amount of the disaster bill is far too low—the survivors of disasters in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the California wildfires and mudslides need much more help

There must be accountability for the Trump administration’s response to these crises! The fossil-fuel industry must be held accountable for its deliberate profit from climate pollution

In Texas, coastal towns struggle to return to normalcy, with the majority of businesses in the area still closed.

The death toll for the California mudslides has risen to 20, with more people still missing. This comes on the heels of some of the most destructive wildfires in California history, costing the state at least $9 billion.

Many Puerto Ricans spent the holidays without power, and will not have restored access to electricity for another 6 months. With dwindling resources and overburdened workers, tens of thousands of citizens are waiting months for even emergency repairs to their homes.

The 3.4 million American citizens of Puerto Rico have no vote in Congress. They are working to survive, recover, and rebuild. Today, we can take a minute to be their voice.

Call your Congressional representatives now and demand climate justice.

Let us know how your calls went.

- Climate Hawks

References

Texas towns hit hard by Hurricane Harvey work to recover, Associated Press
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/texas-towns-hit-hard-hurricane-harvey-work-recover-52360860

California mudslides: Death toll rises to 20, 4 still missing, CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/14/us/southern-california-mudslides/index.html

Costs to Fight 2017 California Wildfires Shatter Records, Courthouse News
https://www.courthousenews.com/costs-to-fight-2017-california-wildfires-shatters-records/

La Ruta De María: A journey along the path of the hurricane, CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/12/us/sutter-maria-route-puerto-rico-invs/index.html

Call Democratic leaders: No more delays or excuses. Protect Dreamers and save CHIP.

The next chance for Democrats to secure permanent protection for Dreamers and funding for children’s health care is just a few days away. Call today to make sure Democratic leaders stand up and fight. Click below for a sample script and the number to call:

Democratic leaders will not stand up for Dreamers or children unless we force them to act. In December, 31 Democrats helped Republicans fund the government for a few weeks without any protections for Dreamers and only temporary funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).1,2 That was not just a failure by each of those Democrats, but also a massive failure of leadership. Dreamers whose Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status is expiring right now and children who are already losing their health care cannot wait any longer for relief. Democrats have the power to force a vote on the DREAM Act and secure funding for CHIP as the budget fight comes to a head again on Jan. 19. Help flood the offices of Democratic leaders with calls to make clear that failing again to protect Dreamers and restore CHIP is not an option. Call Democratic leaders: Time to fight. Lead your caucus in blocking any spending package that does not include a clean DREAM Act and funding for CHIP. Click here to start your call. For each day that Congress waits to pass the DREAM Act and fully fund CHIP, more lives are ruined and families torn apart. DACA gave many people brought to the United States as children by their parents the ability to work and live in the country. Since Donald Trump ended the program, more than 15,000 Dreamers have lost their legal status. And 122 more a day become targets for deportation while Congress waits to pass the DREAM Act. Donald Trump recently made clear that any permanent legislative solution to protect Dreamers from deportation would come at the cost of greenlighting his border wall and punishing immigrant communities by shredding the fabric of the country’s immigration system with cuts to the diversity visa lottery and family-based immigration.3 We cannot allow Democrats to cave and accept any compromise bill that would protect Dreamers but waste billions of taxpayer dollars to help Trump fulfill his xenophobic campaign promises. CHIP gives more than 9 million low- and middle-income children access to lifesaving health care. Republicans allowed it to expire in September. Now, more than a dozen states are preparing to shut down their CHIP programs completely.4 Congress approved temporary funding for CHIP in December. We must keep pushing until it restores the program completely. To keep Dreamers safe and millions of children healthy, we need Democratic leaders to do their jobs, keep their commitments and use their leverage now. Can you help flood their offices with calls demanding that they hold the line on a clean DREAM Act and CHIP? Call Democratic leaders: Time to fight. Lead your caucus in blocking any spending package that does not include a clean DREAM Act and funding for CHIP. Click the link below to start your call. https://act.credoaction.com/call/dreamchip_demleaders/?t=7&akid=26866%2E3130208%2E40HnP - Nicole Regalado CREDO Action Click below for a sample script and the number to call: References: CREDO, "Democrats who voted to deport Dreamers graphic," posted Dec. 21, 2017. Tara Golshan, "The 2017 government shutdown fight, explained," Vox, Dec. 21, 2017. Andrea Germanos, "WH Regurgitates Anti-Immigrant Wish List as Trump Doubles Down on Making Dreamers Bargaining Chips," Common Dreams, Jan. 6, 2018. Phil Galewitz, "CHIP funding could run out as soon as this month in some states," CNN, Jan. 5, 2018.

CALL TO ACTION - Demand that Rep. McSally Protect Dreamers NOW

Thursday, January 18th Indivisible will be joining forces with Mi Familia Vota-Tucson outside of Representative Martha McSally's congressional office from 4:00-5:00 p.m.

4400 E. Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85711

We stand united in demanding the passage of a clean DREAM Act!

Last week Martha McSally unveiled her worst-kept-secret: she's running for Senate. Not so fast, Martha. You're still our representative, and we intend to hold you accountable. We've watched over the past year as her stances on immigration and border policies have morphed into whatever she thinks will get her the Republican nomination for that coveted Senate seat.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Dreamers are not pawns, and their right to citizenship cannot be tied to funding for a wall, or increased militarization along the border. While we fight to defend the status of more than 800,000 Dreamers, ALL 11.5 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States deserve protection, and a path to citizenship.

Stand up for our friends, our community, and their DREAMS!

JOIN US!

- Indivisible

NOTE: If you would like to show support with a phone call to Rep. McSally, you can find a script and numbers by clicking on this link or scrolling down. lol

Tell Your Member of Congress to Take the Dreamer Pledge

On Sept. 5, Trump announced that he was terminating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This Obama-era program provides relief from deportation for an estimated 800,000 young immigrants. Because Trump terminated DACA, over 10,000 Dreamers are estimated to have already lost their protections, and nearly 1,000 more will lose DACA each week and become vulnerable to Trump’s deportation force.

Ask your members of Congress to become Dream Heroes now! (Follow this link for the contact information of your representatives.)

Who are Dream Heroes? They are members of Congress who pledge to protect Dreamers. Congress needs to pass a government funding bill this week - and the DREAM Act must be part of that bill. There is bipartisan support for the Dream Act in both the Senate and House, and this is our last chance this year to protect DREAMers from Trump's deportation machine. The pledge is that they will only commit to vote on a “continuing resolution” that has the Dream Act attached. Call your MoC and tell them: A vote on a continuing resolution without the Dream Act, is a vote to deport Dreamers.

- Indivisible

 Review Script

Caller: Hello! My name is [name] and I’m calling from [place in state]. Could you please tell me whether the [Senator/Congressman] supports protecting Dreamers as part of the Continuing Resolution?

If MoC supports DREAM in the CR

Staffer: Yes! The [Senator/Congressman] is totally opposed to the decision to end DACA and won’t vote for a Continuing Resolution unless it includes the DREAM Act.

Caller: I’m glad to hear that. Will the [Senator/Congressman] pledge to be a “Dreamer Hero” and protect Dreamers from deportation? The Dreamer Pledge is a public commitment to do everything he/she can to pass the DREAM Act as soon as possible, including withholding [her/his] support for the Continuing Resolution unless it includes the DREAM Act.

Staffer: I’m not sure.

Caller: Please ask the [Senator/Congressman] to make a public commitment so Dreamers know he/she is standing with them. 27 members of the House and 6 members of the Senate have already taken the Dreamer Pledge, and an additional 34 Republican Members of Congress signed a letter saying that “we must pass legislation that protects DACA recipients from deportation” by the end of this year.

If MoC doesn’t support DREAM in the CR

Staffer: The [Senator/Congressman] doesn’t think that a legislative fix for DACA is an emergency; the president gave us until March to address this program, and we have more urgent concerns right now.

Caller: There are at least six senators and dozens of representatives— including Republicans—who disagree with you. Because Trump terminated DACA, over 10,000 Dreamers are estimated to have already lost their protections, and nearly 1,000 more will lose DACA each week and become vulnerable to Trump’s deportation force. For those young people and their families, this is an emergency and we must take this opportunity to protect them by including the DREAM Act in the Continuing Resolution.

Staffer: I’ll pass your thoughts along to the [Congressman / Senator].

Caller: Yes please do, and please take down my contact information so you can let me know what the [Congressman / Senator] decides to do.

Note from Jana of Desktop Activist Tucson:

I just got a hold of Rep. McSally's staffer at her D.C. office. (202- 225-2542)  When I asked the staffer if Rep. McSally would withhold her support of the Continuing Resolution unless it includes the Dream Act, she said she didn't know and she would look it up. Please, follow up on my call by urging Rep. McSally to do that. (Helpful script above.) I also spoke to Sen. Flake's staffer in Tucson. (520-575-8633) He didn't know the Senator's position on that. Please, call and urge Sen. Flake to withhold his support for the Continuing Resolution unless it includes the Dream Act.

#DREAMACT #Protectdreamers #DREAMERS