JOBS POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
Latest Jobs Posts
The Trump Administration’s Latest Assault on Healthcare for Women and LGBTQIA+
In the past year, Trump and his administration have championed actions that threaten the right to adequate healthcare for women and LGBTQIA+ populations. The latest actions in the past month were found primarily in a report last week detailing the elimination of online resources for lesbian and bisexual health on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
The Poorly Written Anti – Sex Trafficking Bill; Proposed Congressional Bill
On February 27, 2018, the House of Representatives passed the “Allow States To Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act” by a vote of 388 to 25. Three weeks later on March 21, 2018, the Senate approved the bill by an overwhelming 97 to 2 vote.
Updates on President Trump’s Policy On Transgender in the U.S. Military
On July 26, 2017, President Donald Trump announced on his Twitter account a reinstatement of a ban on transgender persons from serving in the United States Armed Forces. The President’s full statement reads, “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity…
Gun Restrictions; Will Banning Bump Stocks Be Enough?; National Protest Action
On March 23, 2018, the United States Department of Justice proposed a new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regulation that would effectively ban “bump stocks.” Bump stocks are add on gun components that when attached to a semi – automatic gun permits the weapon to harness the gun’s recoil energy after firing one shot or one pull of the gun’s trigger.
House Intelligence Committee Conclusions, More FBI Upheavals, Seychelles Meeting, Russia Sanctions, Mueller Subpoenas
The world of the Russia investigations over the past few weeks has been reeling from a whirlwind of surprising developments, including the conclusion of one of the most public investigations: Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee announced last week that the investigative portion of their probe was over…
Texas Laws Against Sanctuary Cities Upheld in Federal Court
On Tuesday, March 13, The Hill reported that a “federal appeals court ruled that most of Texas’ laws targeting so-called sanctuary cities can remain in effect.” The ruling specifically upholds Senate Bill 4, enabling law enforcement to inquire about individuals’ immigration status upon detainment.
Florida Passes Gun Control Bill Following Stoneman Douglas Shooting, Opposing NRA
On Wednesday, March 7, Florida Governor Rick Scott (R) signed a new bill into law tightening gun restrictions and increasing school safety measures in the state of Florida following the Parkland school shooting on February 14 that left 14 students and 3 faculty members of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School dead.
Civil Rights; Congressional Bill Supporting Israel A Direct Attack On The First Amendment and Free Speech; Proposed Federal Legislation; March 3, 2018
On March 23, 2017, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) introduced Senate Bill 720, which was intended to amend the Export Administration Act of 1979. The bill is popularly known as the “Israel Anti – Boycott Act” and was passed in order to “oppose restrictive trade practices or boycotts fostered or imposed by any international organization against Israel or requests to impose restrictive trade practices or boycotts by any international trade organization against Israel.”
Judge Rules That Environmental Studies Are Not Required for Border Wall Construction Order in re: Border Infrastructure Environmental Legislation; Case 3:17-cv-01215-GPC-WVG
Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel ruled that the Trump Administration and the Department of Homeland Security have not exceeded their legal limits in waiving environmental reviews based on the REAL ID law of 2005. This Bush era law allows Federal agencies to waive previously required environmental reviews.
State Department Issues Keystone XL Pipeline Permit
State Department Permit
Issued on March 24, 2017
Policy Summary
A press release issued on March 24th by the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs stated that a permit was issued to TransCanada for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The statement detailed that this pipeline “would serve the national interest”, and follows President Trump’s call for the development of the pipeline. It would run from Canada to Nebraska and bring about 830,000 barrels of oil into the United States every day. The pipeline stalled under President Obama and was protested extensively by environmental activists and indigenous groups. The pipeline is not guaranteed, however, and the State of Nebraska must complete the authorization. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The Keystone XL pipeline will have a negative impact on almost every affected sector. While it will create some temporary construction jobs, many of these will be Canadian, and it will only leave about 35 permanent jobs in the United States. While the oil giants argue that the oil sands will be excavated either way, a steady fall in oil prices seems to dispute this. Some of the oil may be refined in the United States, but oil exports are primarily sensitive to demand, not supply. Furthermore, construction of the pipeline undermines American efforts to decrease dependencies on fossil fuels. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Environment America — A grassroots environmental group that works to protect the environment and slow climate change through organizational and legislative advocacy.
- Climate Action Network — A global network of NGOs that work to slow the effects of climate change on an individual and national level.
- American Council on Renewable Energy — ACORE is a non-profit dedicated to expanding renewable energy in the United States, and it works with not only the government but also industry leaders and financial institutions.
This brief was compiled by Jacob Malinowski. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact jacob@usresistnews.org.
Selective Visa Application Restrictions
State Department Diplomatic Memorandum
Issued on March 15, 2017
Policy Summary
In instructions sent to all U.S embassies and consulates on March 15, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson began to outline a complicated process that some visa applicants may need to undergo. While the memo remains vague, they specifically reference that certain “population sets” would be subject to “increased scrutiny”, regardless of whether they were eligible for visas prior to the new restrictions. In line with President Trump’s calls for “extreme vetting”, the memo originally enumerated the six countries under Trump’s executive order as high priorities. This has since been redacted, but calls for investigating social media profiles and email accounts remain. LEARN MORE (UPDATE)
Analysis
These new restrictions seem to fulfill Trump’s discriminatory ideas of banning people based on ethnicity or national origin. Not only does the United States already use a very complicated and thorough vetting process, but processes like this have failed in the past. Racist policy hurts citizens domestically, and it sends negative messages to our allies abroad and the rest of the international community. Regardless of the fate of Trump’s new executive order, Tillerson may be able to succeed with these new guidelines because their intentionally nebulous nature will make them harder to fight legally. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Amnesty International — An organization that works across the globe to secure justice and human rights for all citizens, especially refugees and immigrants.
- Refugee International — An NGO that supports refugees and displaced people in many regions across the globe through donations and legal and personal assistance.
- Immigration Advocates Network — A collection of groups and organizations that provide labor and legal advice to immigrants as well as facilitates logistical and operational coordination between NGOs
This brief was compiled by Jacob Malinowski. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact jacob@usresistnews.org.
Schools Must Do More for Disabled Students
Supreme Court Decision
Announced on March 22, 2017
Policy Summary
The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that schools must raise the bar on educational standards for disabled students. They rejected past rulings stating that the Individuals with Disabilities Act entitling disabled students to a free appropriate public education that is tailored to their needs, which simply meant that schools were only required to show some annual gains, or “more than de minimis” (more than the minimum). As a result of the current case, Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, schools must now provide their disabled students with the opportunity to make “appropriately ambitious progress.” LEARN MORE
Analysis
Prior to this landmark Supreme Court ruling, in 2008 a similar case was ruled upon by none other than Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch who applied the bare minimum standard. Ironically, Gorsuch was testifying before the senate judiciary committee at the time the ruling was announced. He was subsequently questioned about the issue. Gorsuch noted that within the 2008 case he was simply following the precedent set by past appeals court rulings. Chief Justice Roberts, on the other hand, wrote in his opinion, “When all is said and done, a student offered an educational program providing “merely more than de minimis” progress from year to year can hardly be said to have been offered an education at all.” LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- RespectAbility – An organization with a mission is to fight for more opportunities for and reject the stigmas associated with people with mental disabilities.
- Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law – The Bazelon Center’s mission is to protect the rights of both children and adults with mental disabilities.
- Understood – A partnership built out of 15 non-profit organizations, Understood is a resource for the millions of parents whose children ages 3-20, are struggling with learning and attention issues.
This brief was compiled by Cindy Stansbury. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact, cindy@usresistnews.org.
Effects of the Budget on Education
Budget Plan
Announced on March 13, 2017
Policy Summary
Donald Trump’s new budget plan proposes cutting 13.5 percent or $9.2 billion from education, removing $2.4 billion in grants going towards teacher training and $1.2 billion earmarked for summer and afterschool programs. The budget blueprint reduces or eliminates funding for need-based aid for college students, federal work study, and grant programs for low-income, disabled or first-generation students among other cuts. This paves the way for $1.4 billion to go towards a school choice program, which will ramp up to $20 billion per year; $250 million will be sent to a private school choice option and $168 million will be sent to charter schools. $1 billion is set to go to the federal Title 1 program. LEARN MORE
Analysis
“An assault on the American Dream,” is what John King Jr., education secretary under Barack Obama said of Trump’s proposal, noting the cuts “will disproportionately harm the poor and children of color.” Trump is negating issues as dire as college affordability and accessibility ultimately taking over $5 million in support from needy children. For the 1.6 million children who participate in the after-school programs set to lose funding, some say this means losing the program that increased their likelihood to graduate and excel in the labor market. In tandem with the cuts to teacher training, this could impact the overall quality of education children would receive; all for the controversial school choice program. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Contact Your State Legislators – Budgets cannot pass without legislative support!
- The Afterschool Alliance – An organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of after-school programs.
- The Council for Opportunity in Education – Donate and support this nonprofit geared toward furthering the expansion of college opportunities for disabled, first-generation and low-income students.
This brief was compiled by Cindy Stansbury. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact cindy@usresistnews.org.
Effects of the Budget on Immigration
Budget Proposal
Released on March 16, 2017
Policy Summary
House Speaker Paul Ryan proposed a budget estimate for 2017 that cuts funding to a wide variety of domestic priorities in order increase funding for the Department of Defense by $30 billion dollars and the Department of Homeland Security by $3 billion dollars. The projected results of this move are discussed across U.S. RESIST NEWS. The increase in funding to the DHS is intended to enable the enforcement of the executive orders passed by President Trump that have already been addressed on this site, but the budget would also impact Trump’s immigration plan through its cuts to several agencies that are essential for the enforcement of immigration law such as FEMA (by 11 percent), the Coast Guard (14%), and the TSA (11%). LEARN MORE
Analysis
This combination of impacts would suggest either that the Trump administration is more concerned with the arrival of undocumented immigrants from Mexico by the land border than by sea or by plane, or that they are less concerned with stopping the flow of undocumented immigrants than they are with the appearance of fulfilling campaign promises (building the wall and increasing funding to securing the physical border). In 2016, the Coast Guard intercepted 6,346 undocumented immigrants, resulting in a 320% increase in demand for Coast Guard assets to train Central American forces in interdiction efforts. The budget ignores this developing trend in immigration. The budget also appears to be counterintuitive to Trump’s promises to help local law enforcement enforce immigration laws, as it includes eliminating the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which reimburses jails for the short-term detention of undocumented immigrants.
Engagement Resources
- Indivisible Guide – This guide, put together by former congressional staffers, provides extensive advice on the best way to make your voice heard by your local representatives, which could be crucial in determining the fate of this budget proposal.
- Resistance Manual – Crisis Resources – If you know someone who is facing immigration troubles, please share this compendium of legal resources and relevant nonprofit organizations with them.
This brief was compiled by Oliver Bjornsson. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief, please contact oliver@usresistnews.org.
Separate Criminal Code For Immigrants
Proposed Florida Legislation
Passed second Senate committee on February 22, 2017
Policy Summary
In the Florida Legislature, a Senate bill was introduced and recently approved by the Appropriations Subcommittee on Civil & Criminal Justice that proposes that certain crimes committed by unlawfully present aliens in the State of Florida be charged differently from all other persons in the state. Illegal immigrants charged with a crime would, under Senate Bill 120, have their charges upgraded to the next criminal offense ranking level only because of their immigrant status. An illegal immigrant charged with a misdemeanor of the first degree would have his criminal charge upgraded to a felony in the third degree. A felony in the second degree would be bumped up to a felony in the first degree. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The proposed legislation is problematic because it discriminates between people who commit the same criminal act on the basis of their citizenship and immigrant status. The American principle of Equal Protection of the Laws enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment provides that no “person” may be denied the equal protection of the laws. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, Florida has an inmate population of 99,119. The number of inmates who are undocumented immigrants is 4,754, only 4.8% of the total number of inmates. This bill unfairly targets persons because they are immigrants and impermissibly places the blame for crimes committed on them when the statistics show that crimes are not strictly an immigrant problem. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Mexican – American Legal Defense & Education Fund – A nonprofit organization promoting social change in immigrants rights and political access.
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – An information page on immigrant Constitutional issues.
This brief was compiled by Rod Maggay. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief, please contact rod@usresistnews.org.
Effects of the Budget on Entitlement Programs
Budget Proposal – America First: A budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again
Proposal released March 16, 2017
Policy Summary
President Donald Trump released an outline of his budget proposal, America First, on Thursday, March 16 that substantially boosts spending on homeland security and defense while slashing spending in almost every other area. An important exception to this harsh slashing is entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Although Health and Human Services spending decreases 16%, this cut comes from slashing health care programs outside of entitlement. America First instead proposes investing in Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control (HCFAC) in Medicaid, which has proven to payoff a five to one ROI. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Entitlement Programs got very little attention in the proposed budget. A more comprehensive budget is expected for May of this year, which may include changes to entitlement programs. The Trump Administration could be waiting for the American Health Care Act to gain momentum before proposing any major budgetary changes in Medicaid, although so far the bill has proven to be unpopular even among Republicans. The budget proposal was not expected to include any major changes to entitlement programs as much of these issues are instead addressed in the proposed American Health Care Act. Cuts in these programs are expected to come later. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- AARP – AAPR opposes the Health Care Bill and continues to fight to keep social security strong. This link to the Advocacy section of the AARP website provides a platform for people to learn how social security and health care reform affect them as well as an option to join AARP.
- Save My Care – This website is dedicated to fighting for full health care coverage. It provides opportunities to sign up for updates and events as well as stories of people who have benefited from the Affordable Care Act.
This brief was compiled by Ann Furbush. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact ann@usresistnews.org.
Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline
Presidential Memorandum
Issued January 24, 2017
Summary
President Trump released a presidential memorandum directing the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) to expedite approval for the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and to consider rescinding the Notice of Intent to Prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement released in the final days of the Obama Administration. On February 8, the Army Corps granted an easement to construct the pipeline across federal land. The easement represented the final federal authorization necessary for Dakota Access (a subsidiary of Energy Transfer Partners) to complete construction of the pipeline. Trump argues that the pipeline’s construction and operation would serve the national interest by bringing oil into U.S. markets. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The Standing Rock protest against the Dakota Access Pipeline received international attention last summer drawing thousands of protestors to Cannon Ball, North Dakota. The protestors were supporting the indigenous Standing Rock Sioux Tribe which says completion of DAPL would disrupt their sacred burial sites and may lead to a contamination of the tribe’s water. The tribe has been supported by a coalition of indigenous and environmental groups which criticized the USACE’s use of an Environmental Assessment instead of a full Environmental Impact Statement as cursory, incomplete, and inconsistent with federal guidelines. The coalition also disputed the USACE’s assessment of cultural sites, consultation with Tribal nations, and impact on marginalized groups citing inadequate consultations and use of informational resources and inaccurate analysis. Over 220 scientists have signed a statement calling for a more rigorous evaluation of the pipeline’s environmental and cultural impacts. The scientists expressed concern over the potential impacts on climate change, biodiversity, and indigenous people’s drinking water. Sunoco Logistics, the pipeline’s future operator, “spills crude [oil] more often than any of its competitors with more than 200 leaks since 2010.”
Engagement Resources
- ReZpect our Water – A group created by youth from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation to oppose DAPL through petitions, letters, and national events.
- Greenpeace – An international environmental NGO that uses direct action, lobbying, research, and ecotage to raise public awareness and to influence the public and private sectors.
- Sierra Club – The nation’s largest environmental preservation organization; recent focuses include green energy, mitigating global warming, and opposing coal.
This brief was compiled by Conor Downey. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact conor@usresistnews.org.
Effects of the Budget on Jobs
Proposed Legislation
Issued on March 16, 2017
Summary
Trump recent budget proposal will call for a 21% decrease in the Department of Labor budget. This would result in a 2.5 billion dollar cut in funding for the agency in the fiscal year of 2018. The proposal would eliminate funding for Senior Community Service Employment Program which aided low-income workers above the age of 55 by offering them jobs. The Trump administration claimed this was ineffective and only one in three participants finished. In addition, the administration would shrink Job Corps, a program that trained disadvantaged youth. Furthermore, the proposal would shift the burden of federal funding for training and employment to the states. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Trump’s proposal will harm American workers in a multitude of ways. Senator Murray called the proposal “yet another clear example of President Trump breaking his campaign promise to stand with workers.” The Senior Community Service Employment Program ensures seniors with permanent jobs but Trump’s budget calls for an end to this program. In addition, Trump plans to decrease funding for Job Corps, a program that trains disadvantaged youth for the workplace. Representative Cicilline claimed the proposal will make it “even harder for working families to get ahead and for older Americans to make ends meet.” AFL – CIO President Richard Trumka concurred stating, “Working people in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin didn’t vote for a budget that slashes workforce training.” LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- AFL-CIO – The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations is a national trade union center and the largest federation of unions in the United States.
- US Senate – Contact your local representatives to take a stance against this proposed legislation.
- US House of Representatives – Contact your local representatives to take a stance against this proposed legislation.
- UNI Global Union – This is a global union federation for skills and services, gathering national and regional trade unions.
This brief was compiled by Vaibhav Kumar. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact vaibhav@usresistnews.org.
Effects of the Budget on Foreign Policy
Office of Management and Budget
Issued on March 16, 2017
Summary
The White House published their first budget document on March 16th, and it detailed many cuts and increases for the 2018 budget. President Trump’s “skinny budget” only includes changes to discretionary spending, like a 28.7% cut to the State Department’s budget. President Trump plans to slash almost 2.5 billion dollars from programs that aid foreign investment to slow climate change, as well as a decrease in funding to United Nations peacekeeping and relief programs. Additionally, Trump plans to slow funding to the World Bank, educational programs, and many poorer nations because they lack “strategic importance to the US.” LEARN MORE
Analysis
This budget could be one of the most destructive budgets for the State Department in decades, despite Secretary of State Tillerson weakly defending the cuts. President Trump’s shift from traditional diplomacy to one of military power is almost as dangerous as his obsession with countries “paying their fair share.” With such large cuts to its budget, the State Department will recede from many critical areas in the world (while still maintaining $3.1 billion to Israel), and this will undermine years of democratization and peacekeeping efforts. While Trump claims to prioritize security, crippling the State Department’s budget will only weaken and destroy our international position. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Center for American Progress – A nonpartisan progressive institute that works to raise awareness about global issues and work with legislators to craft important policy.
- Freedom House – A watchdog group that helps promote civil liberties and facilitates democratic peace in order to assure freedom throughout the globe.
- Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs – A federal bureau, which would be dismantled under the current budget proposal, that aims to establish congenial relationships between American citizens and citizens of other countries.
This brief was compiled by Jacob Malinowski. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact jacob@usresistnews.org