Members of Congress are back in their districts for two weeks for recess, which means we’re back to resisting at town halls, rallies, and other district events. There’s a lot to resist from the past couple of weeks—especially the fact that congressional Republicans are trying to bring back Trumpcare, which threatens the health care of tens of millions of people and that they are doing little to avert an impending government shutdown. Additionally, it’s time to ask for an independent investigation on Russia, especially since the Trump campaign is under FBI investigation for colluding with Russia.
So whether you’re new to the resistance game or a pro, we’ve got the tools to help. Check out our RecessToolkit.com, which will help you plug into the resistance from anywhere. It includes questions to ask your member at a town hall, sample social media, and more. Join the resistance, because with President Trump hurting people’s lives left and right, we might as well give it all we got.
ACTION OF THE DAY
Tax March. Speaking of resistance, sign up to join us this weekend at the Tax March. People are taking to the streets to demand that President Trump release his tax returns and commit to a fair tax system for the American people, not tax reform that gives the wealthiest few massive tax breaks to the detriment of everyday Americans. Check out resources, find local marches, and RSVP here.
What’s Trending
Syria. It’s been almost five days since the U.S. launched its first airstrike against the Assad regime in Syria, but the Trump administration has yet to convey any sort of coherent strategy for what’s next. Top administration officials have each offered conflicting views about regime change in Syria. What’s more, Trump’s sudden interest in protecting Syrian children cannot be reconciled with his ban on refugees. The key takeaway? Trump’s haphazard reliance on military force alone does not constitute a sufficient plan, nor will it bring peace to the suffering people of Syria or improve American security.
For the Kids. A new report by CAP was published this weekend, analyzing the impact of parent and PTA donations to schools on equitable funding. The report found that schools that serve just one-tenth of 1 percent of American students collect 10 percent of the estimated $425 million that PTAs raise nationwide each year. And those schools, not surprisingly, are some of the least needy.
Under the radar
House Guests. President Obama was very open about disclosing the 6 million people who visited the White House over the course of his presidency. President Trump, on the other hand, has not been. That’s why there’s a new lawsuit that’s demanding the public release of a log of visitors to the White House and Trump’s other residencies. Learn more about this effort here.
GOOD NEWS
Webster said so. Black Lives Matter was recently added to the dictionary, alongside “slay” and “dabbing” highlighting the impact of black contributions to social justice, popular culture and literature.
School lunch. New Mexico has outlawed “lunch shaming,” i.e. the process of harassing and embarrassing low-income kids when they run low on lunch money. Lunch shaming is a pervasive problem in schools: in Alabama, children are stamped on the arm with “I Need Lunch Money” and in other schools, children with debts are forced to clean the cafeteria. Reminder: Trump’s budget director, Mick Mulvaney, has voiced support for cutting programs that feed kids (and seniors.)