If you watched SNL or looked at the Internet at all this weekend, you probably know that Betsy DeVos, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, is facing a firestorm of resistance for her lack of knowledge and experience with public schools, extreme views, decades of advocacy for private school vouchers, conflicts of interest, and dedicated commitment to stopping grizzly bears.
Two Republican Senators have already said they will oppose her confirmation, which means only one more Republican is needed to derail her nomination. Her full Senate vote is expected to come tomorrow and Senators are feeling the pressure. According to Senator Shatz, last week was the “busiest in Capitol switchboard history” by “almost double” thanks to the swell of activism against DeVos.
ACTION OF THE DAY
#DumpDeVos. Resistance is working. The Senate is feeling the opposition to DeVos, which means we can’t let up now. Join us today, along with Sens. Schumer (D-NY) and Murray (D-WA) and more from 4:30 to 7:00 pm in the Upper Senate Park today to urge the Senate to stop DeVos.
Can’t make it to the rally? The Senate will be debating DeVos today, tweet at your members with reasons why they should #DumpDeVos. Or call these Senators:
- Senator Corey Gardner (R-CO): (202) 224-5941
- Senator Dean Heller (R-NV): (202) 224-6244
- Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS): (202) 224-5054
- Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC): (202) 224-6342
Resistance Near You. Looking for a way to plug into the resistance? We’re keeping track of all #ResistTrump protests happening around the country! See the full list of events here. Submit new events to the list here.
WHAT’S TRENDING
Frozen. In the law. Donald Trump’s unconstitutional Muslim Ban came to a screeching halt this weekend after a series of federal court rulings in Washington, Virginia, and New York temporarily blocked the President’s dangerous EO. As a result, dozens of families initially targeted under the ban were finally able to follow through on their plans to legally come to the United States. Unfortunately, it’s not going to be all smooth sailing from here: the Trump administration refuses to let it go and is gearing up to defend the Muslim Ban in the court system (TBD if Trump understands how that works), so get ready for a fight on this one.
“So-called judge.” That’s how Trump referred to the judge who blocked his immigration orders over the weekend. So yes, in one tweet, the president discredited a federal judge (again) and lied about our vetting process (again).
Bathrobes. President Trump apparently has a 6:30 PM date with his in front of the TV every night, leaving Acting President Chief Strategist Steve Bannon and aides who can’t find light switches alone in the dark in the West Wing. Trump apparently is struggling to fit president-ing around his TV schedule, which includes watching Sean Spicer chew 35 pieces of gum and berate the press hold press conferences.
Morning Shows. VoteVets knows Trump won’t miss em, so they took that as an opportunity to send the president a message. The gist? #NoBanNoWall and #ProtectOurCare. It’s worth the watch.
UNDER THE RADAR
Tie-Breaker. Mike Pence is set to make history this week as the first Vice President forced to cast a tie-breaking vote in a cabinet official’s confirmation. In addition to being the first time a tie-breaking vote has ever been cast in a vote for a cabinet-level nominee, it will also be the earliest tie-breaking vote cast by a VP since Congress and the Presidency were established… Similarly, Senate Republicans have also been forced to delay Sen. Jeff Sessions’ (R-AL) confirmation vote because they need his vote to confirm other contentious Trump nominees.
GOOD NEWS
MoMa takes a stand. Even New York’s Museum of Modern Art is speaking out against Trump’s Muslim ban. MoMa has rearranged its permanent-collection galleries to showcase works from Iraq, Iran, and Sudan—all countries whose citizens are banned under Trump’s order. This isn’t a coincidence. Text next to each work reads in part, “This is one of several such artworks from the Museum’s collection installed throughout the fifth-floor galleries to affirm the ideals of welcome and freedom as vital to this Museum, as they are to the United States.”