FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Here are our Calls to Action, Guides, and Explainers on federal legislation and policy. This includes the federal budget, international affairs, national security, the Mueller investigation, and a range of other topics. Interested in helping us track federal legislation and policy? Take action with us.
#FakeEmergency: Tell Congress to Override Trump’s Veto
Trump’s #FakeEmergency attempts to snatch Congress’s power of the purse, funding from military construction projects, and citizens’ private land, despite evidence that no emergency exists. Both the House and Senate have passed a bill to repeal the emergency declaration.
QUICK ACTION: Thank our Maine MoC for voting to uphold Congress’s constitutional authority, and ask them to urge more fellow legislators to join them in overriding Trump’s expected veto.
NO FOX IN THE HEN HOUSE: Oppose Andrew Wheeler for EPA Director
UPDATE 2/28: Andrew Wheeler was confirmed by the Senate 52-47, with both Maine senators voting NO. Former coal lobbyist and acting EPA director Andrew Wheeler has been nominated by Trump to take over the position permanently. The Senate could vote on his confirmation as early as THIS WEEK.
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END THE SHUTDOWN: Pass a Clean CR to Re-Open Government
The Senate will vote Thursday on two bills to re-open the government: One would fund Trump’s border wall and block asylum requests from children from some Central American countries and the other is a clean continuing resolution the Senate already passed 100-0.
QUICK ACTION: Tell Collins and King to pass a clean CR and re-open the government now!
Ten Reasons Matthew Whitaker Should be Out of DOJ
Former Acting AG Matt Whitaker has a background overrun with fraud, scams, dark money payments, conflicts of interest, and other potentially illegal activity.
QUICK ACTION: Tell your MoC that Matt Whitaker has no business working in the Department of Justice and to demand answers about his background before considering him for any other position at DOJ.
PUBLIC CHARGE RULE: Oppose Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Regulation
Trump proposed a new rule seeking to limit U.S. entry as well as visa and green card applications by low- to moderate-income immigrant families and immigrants with disabilities.
QUICK ACTION: Submit a public comment by midnight, Monday, Dec. 10 opposing this new rule.
#FamiliesBelongTogether: Oppose Inhumane Immigration Policy
While more than 100 children have yet to be reunited with their parents, Trump is radically changing asylum rules, moving thousands of unaccompanied children into internment camps, and deporting the family members who come to claim them.
QUICK ACTION: Keep the pressure on your MoC to demand investigations and oversight, block Trump’s nominee to lead ICE, and give to the organizations providing direct legal support.
Victories & Good News Roundup: Blue Wave Edition
Democrats flipped the U.S. House of Representatives and broke Republican strangleholds at the all-important state level, where redistricting decisions are made, not to mention countless laws that affect everyday life. These state and national Blue Wave wins are due in large part to the efforts of thousands of citizen activists who ran for office, worked on campaigns, educated voters, knocked on doors, made phone calls, sent postcards, and got out the vote for candidates who support a progressive agenda.
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TRUMP VS. MUELLER: Protest Thursday at 5PM!
Trump has fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and replaced Rod Rosenstein with Acting AG Matt Whitaker, who has openly called for defunding the investigation. The national protest is taking place at 5pm on Thursday Nov. 8!
QUICK ACTION: Find the location nearest you, text ALERT to 668366 for updates, and demand that our MoCs protect Mueller’s investigation.
PROTECT CLEAN AIR: Oppose Fuel-Efficiency Freeze
Trump’s proposed freeze on fuel-efficiency standards would increase oil consumption, CO2 emissions, gas costs, and health risks.
QUICK ACTION: Submit a public comment opposing the proposal before the October deadline!
PROTECT THE MIDTERMS: Demand Congress Act to Prevent Russian Attacks
As Trump continues to deny the Russian cyberattack on the U.S., intelligence agencies say the midterm elections are vulnerable to more attacks.
QUICK ACTION: Tell Congress to support bills to protect U.S. election systems, enforce Russian sanctions, and demand a hearing on the closed-door Trump-Putin meeting in Helsinki.
Suit Up Maine is a statewide, all-volunteer, progressive, grassroots group of more than 5,400 Mainers that seeks to create and foster a more informed and engaged electorate. We raise awareness of and advocate for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. We are beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians, and we aren’t engaged in fundraising. Suit Up Maine fosters collaboration among our state’s progressive groups and organizations to collectively connect, educate, and motivate Mainers to rise in non-violent resistance to a regressive agenda.