JOBS POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
Latest Jobs Posts
Trump Issues Global Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Imports
Summary “The actions we are taking today are not a matter of choice; they are a matter of necessity for our security” declared President Trump last week, as part of his announcement on a new set of tariffs targeting the import of steel and aluminum. The announcement,...
Will Raising Minimum Age To Purchase Guns to Twenty – One Make A Difference?
On February 14, 2018, a school shooter opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and killed seventeen people. The accused gunman, nineteen – year old Nikolas Cruz, was taken into custody and is awaiting trial. After the shooting numerous companies took action to distance…
Companies Distance Themselves From National Rifle Association (NRA) In Wake of Shooting at Parkland Florida High School
On February 14, 2018, seventeen students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida were killed when a shooter opened fire at the school. In the aftermath of the tragedy, a debate on gun control in the United States emerged with arguments for more gun control and restrictions and arguments…
Trump Administration Sues California Over Sanctuary Policies
On Tuesday, March 6, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump administration is suing the State of California, its Governor Jerry Brown (D), and its Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D), over three recently passed pieces of legislation, referred to as “sanctuary laws,” that have “made it impossible for federal immigration…
Trump’s White House Opioid Summit: Indication of Continued Inaction
Since Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in October of 2017, there has been very little successful action on preventative measures and combatting the effects of the crisis. The medication assistance “waiver” program suggested by HHS Secretary Alzar has only been filed by five different governors. This is due…
EPA Announces Remedy for West Lake Landfill Superfund Site
EPA Secretary Pruitt announced a proposed remedy for the West Lake Landfill in North Saint Louis County calling the site a top priority for the EPA. The project, named “Excavation Plus,” will remove most of the radioactive material that poses a public health threat and place a permanent cap and engineered cover system for long-term…
Department of Education Releases Notice to States: Stop Regulating Student Loan Servicers
On Friday, March 9, the U.S. Department of Education released a notice to stop states from regulating federal student loan servicers. The notice states, “Recently, several States have enacted regulatory regimes or applied existing State consumer protection statutes that undermine these goals by imposing new regulatory requirements…
Alzar’s Proposed ACA Change Increases “Junk Insurance” and Insurance Premiums for Nation’s Sickest
On Tuesday, February 20th, Secretary of Health and Human services, Alex Alzar announced a proposed rule to offer more “short term, limited duration health insurance.” This proposed rule would shorten the maximum time period of all Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care insurance plans from 12 to 3 months. This would…
Trump Institutes New Sanctions Against North Korea
On February 23rd, in the final minutes of an 80-minute speech, President Trump offhandedly mentioned a new set of sanctions against North Korea. What Trump called the “heaviest sanctions ever imposed on a country before” targeted 27 entities and 28 vessels in North Korea, China, and Singapore accused of helping the North…
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Press Conference Comments
Made on February 15, 2017
Policy Summary
On February 15th, 2017, President Trump hosted a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. During the press conference, Trump responded to a question about the two-state solution with extreme ambivalence. He stated that he likes “the one that both parties like” and would not commit to the previous administration’s adoption of the two-state solution nor multiple agreements through the United Nations committing the region to resolve its conflict. Additionally, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley stated that the United States still supports the two-state solution but does not consider Israel-Palestine a “real threat in the Middle East.” LEARN MORE
Analysis
The Trump Administration is again contradictory and misguided when it comes to important diplomatic policy. Trump’s passive rhetoric and refusal to take a stance not only sends a confused message to our allies, but it also enables aggressive moves by the Israeli government to continue illegal settlements against the Palestinians. The United States has been committed to a two-state solution, from recognizing the rights of Palestinian people to direct economic support of the Palestinian government, and to change this policy in response to one question from the media is feckless and irresponsible. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Palestinian Center for Human Rights – A Gaza City based NGO which works to improve democracy and secure human rights for affected Palestinians.
- Peace NGO – An organization which works within the constraints of the United Nations in order to form a peaceful, two-state solution to the conflict.
- Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund – PCRF helps Palestinian children access necessary medical treatment for both physical and mental ailments.
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.
Trillion Dollar Infrastructure Plan
Proposed Legislation
Proposed on February 28, 2017
Summary
Trump has proposed that he will roll out a trillion-dollar public-private infrastructure project to fix the country’s aging highways. During his address to a joint session of Congress, he said: “Crumbling infrastructure will be replaced with new roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and railways gleaming across our beautiful land. The time has come for a new program of national rebuilding” He has compared his plan to President Eisenhower’s building of the interstate highways calling it the “last truly great infrastructure program.” LEARN MORE
Analysis
According to Conor Sen, a Bloomberg View columnist, Trump’s plan would require an increase of 570,000 construction workers (not including project/environmental specialist and truck drivers). The economy has not added these many construction jobs since 1946. In addition, Bloomberg reported that nearly 1.1 million workers may be undocumented so stepping up deportations may reduce an already limited pool of workers. Finally, a drastic decrease in workers going to the construction field will result in Trump not having the supply of laborers necessary for its success. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- 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.
- Laborers’ International Union of North America – The Build America union – half a million strong fighting for better wages and benefits, safer job sites and greater opportunity for construction workers.
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.
Robot Automation of Workforce
Proposed Regulations
Proposed March 7, 2017
Summary
President Trump’s Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross has recently promoted the idea of expanding our use of robots in the workforce. Ross believes that without technological advancements other countries will surpass our economic dominance. He stated, “We need technological advance. And if we don’t employ robots, the Chinese will, the Vietnamese will, the Europeans will, the Japanese will. Everyone will.” Ross continued to explain that we need to keep in pace with the factories that are being made in the United States to reach our max potential as an economic powerhouse. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Real American workers will lose their jobs as a result of automation. To resolve this, many economists believe that the government should tax the generated income of robots like human income tax. This solution fails as it not only doesn’t account for the spending workers do (buying goods and services) but also is not under consideration by the administration. Ross exclaimed that “I’m not in favor of trying to hold back technological advance” claiming taxation like this is a drawback from capitalism. As a result, this idea will slow the economy due to a loss of consumers and laid-off workers. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- UNI Global Union – This is a global union federation for skills and services, gathering national and regional trade unions. This union was able to convince SecureCorp to abandon its anti-union strategy in 2008.
- 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.
- United Automobile Workers – The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, better known as the United Automobile Workers, is an American labor union that represents workers in the United States and Canada.
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.
DHS Implementation of Executive Orders on Protecting the Homeland
Department of Homeland Security Implementation Memo
Issued on February 20, 2017
Summary
Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly issued two implementation memos to guide personnel on implementation of the executive orders from the Trump administration regarding public safety and immigration released in January. These memos radically alter the procedure of deportations undertaken by DHS, expanding the category of people considered ‘priority for removal’ from illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes to people in the country illegally who were convicted of any crime. The memos also include a directive to deport unaccompanied children and to deport or prosecute anyone who helped bring a child into the United States illegally (including parents and family members). LEARN MORE
Analysis
The change in deportation priorities made in these memos could render the category of ‘priority for removal’ meaningless, as immigrants can face charges just for entering the country illegally. Interpreted in this manner, this could make the deportation of 11 million undocumented immigrants a priority. To accomplish this, the DHS would require more employees, and this memo includes an order to hire 15,000 in ICE and CBP combined – but a mass hire of this scale will likely lead to expedited training that could further expose the rampant corruption in these agencies. Even with these hires, DHS will lack the capacity to enforce these new guidelines systematically, introducing a new unpredictability to deportation proceedings that will likely sow even more fear in immigrant communities. These memos have also already caused international outcry because they could lead to deportees of any nationality to be deported to Mexico, which the Mexican government has stated they will dispute. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Local Options for Protecting Immigrants – This document hosted by the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights notes what steps local governments can take to protect immigrants against federal government actions.
- Support a Local Solidarity Network in Your Area – Organizations are rapidly forming on a local level across the country to protect the rights of undocumented immigrants and to ensure that law enforcement agencies are acting legally and justly as they seek to enforce these new executive orders. Examples include the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network and Mi Casa es Su Casa (San Diego).
- 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.
Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorist Entry
Executive Order
Issued on March 6, 2017
Summary
This executive order is the revised version of a controversial January 27, 2017 order, similarly placing a 90 day stay on the entry of nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria in order to thwart the entry of terrorists in the United States and thus ensure national security. Iraq is not included in the new act – it is stated that this is due to American efforts to thwart terrorist activity there, the state of friendship between the two countries, and recent Iraqi government efforts to enhance travel documentation and information sharing procedures. Other changes were made to the order to attempt to overcome the troubles it has faced in litigation, including a direct refutation to the label of the order as a ‘Muslim ban,’ explicitly exempting permanent residents and current visa holders, and removing language that offered preferential status to persecuted religious minorities from these targeted states. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The claim that this new executive order is not motivated by religious discrimination does not ring true, making the new order no different from its unconstitutional, unfair, and ineffective predecessor. Given President Trump’s campaign promise of a ‘total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States’ which he has not distanced himself from as President so far (besides exclaiming “call it whatever you want. We’ll call it territories, okay?”), the order remains vulnerable to legal challenge. Discrimination based on religious belief goes against the founding ideal of the United States and would close the door on people fleeing human rights abuses or trying to start a new life like any other potential immigrant. It also continues to be unclear if the order would even be beneficial from a security perspective. The Associated Press obtained a document from the Department of Homeland Security that concludes that citizenship is an “unlikely indicator” of terrorism threats to the United States, and that even if it was, the countries listed by President Trump’s order would not be atop of the list. LEARN MORE
Update: March 30, 2017
Soon after the release of the revised executive order, federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland blocked the travel ban from being enforced, ruling that the order was based on ‘questionable evidence’ and was clearly designed to discriminate against Muslims. Legal action is being taken to block the ban in at least five other states. However on March 27, a Virginia judge denied a request to block the order, stating that Congress has granted the President sweeping powers over immigration, and denying that the order is discriminatory. If the Trump administration takes the case to the Supreme Court, these are arguments likely to be used in their defense. Thirteen states, including Texas, filed a brief to that Virginia appeals court supporting their decision.
Engagement Resources
- Pressure Your Local Representatives – NPR has compiled a database of the comments that each member of Congress has made about the original executive order. You may be able to hold them accountable to this statements face-to-face at a town hall – you can find listings for these at Town Hall Project. You can also dial 1-844-6-RESIST to be redirected to the office of your local member of Congress, where you can lodge your concerns over the phone.
- 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.
Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements
Executive Order
Issued on January 25, 2017
Summary
The stated purpose of this executive order is to thwart threats to national security and public safety that emerge from the United States’ southern border. This is done by invoking existing laws such as the Secure Fence Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act and aiming to redouble efforts to execute them. Most significantly, the order promises the immediate construction of a physical border wall on the Southern border, though there is no reference to the source of financing. The order also promises expedited determinations of claims of eligibility to remain in the United States and more prompt deportations, though without laying out how this more robust enforcement would take place. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The public safety/national security premise of President Trump’s executive order rings false, given that immigrants have been found to have a below average crime rate. While the United States has immigration laws on the books that ought to be enforced, the current trend of Mexican immigration is away from the United States and back to Mexico, and the history of enforcement of this border shows that with more barriers to entry, successful undocumented immigrants are more likely to remain. The other main issue with this order is that it does not provide a plan to fund the border wall. Republican leaders estimate that a wall would cost $12 to 15 billion dollars, funds that President Trump cannot raise without the assistance of Congress. Though Trump has repeatedly said otherwise, it does not appear as though Mexico will pay for the wall. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Town Hall Project – This project compiles the open-to-the-public events held by state and local representatives. This provides a great opportunity to tell them that a border wall is not a prudent use of taxpayer money. You can also dial 1-844-6-RESIST to be redirected to the office of your local member of Congress.
- #Not1More – This non-profit organization aims to fight deportations through organizing, art, legislation, and action. Their website hosts a number of petitions to sign on individual deportation cases and many other resistance resources.
- 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.
American Health Care Act
Proposed Bill
Proposed on March 6, 2017
Summary
The draft of the Republican alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) removes the individual mandate put in place to keep costs low in the insurance marketplace. Instead, the bill allows insurance companies to charge for a lapse in coverage. The bill also retains federal tax credits to help people afford insurance, but calculates credits based on age, not income. Some provisions of the ACA that remain are ensuring coverage for people with preexisting conditions and allowing young adults to remain on their parents’ insurance. Medicaid expansion would exist until 2020 and would then shift to a “per capita allotment” program. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The American Medical Association expressed their opposition, citing concerns of millions losing their insurance, that the rollback of Medicaid would harm states and low-income patients, and that tax credits corresponding to age, instead of income, would be insufficient for helping people afford insurance. Four Republican senators, whose states expanded Medicaid under ACA, have said they would not support the bill in its current state. Nancy Pelosi warned: “[t]he way they wrote the bill, the richest in America will get a big tax break and it will come at the expense of benefits being deprived of middle and low-income families.” LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- People Power – Register for Resistance Training being offered by the ACLU on March 11, 2017.
- 5 Calls – Sign up for 5 Calls and they will provide you with the phone number for the most appropriate lawmaker in your area and scripts regarding different health care concerns to make sure your voice is heard by your representatives.
This brief was compiled by Elizabeth Kiefer. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact elizabeth@usresistnews.org.
Minimizing the Economic Burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Pending Repeal
Executive Order
Issued on January 20, 2017
Summary
President Trump signed an executive order meant to relieve financial and regulatory burdens placed on states, healthcare providers, companies, and individuals by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in preparation for its repeal. All relevant agencies, by the President’s order, are to “waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay” measures of the ACA that would create such hardships. The executive order authorizes agencies to use their discretion when determining which aspects of the ACA they will deter, but it emphasizes that they act to the full extent of their authority. Trump’s order also encourages the creation of an interstate insurance marketplace. LEARN MORE
Analysis
This executive order allows sections of the ACA to be dismantled by giving power to federal agencies and states to define what is a “hardship” when deferring or waiving ACA directives. As Josh Blackman Josh Blackman noted, key provisions such as the individual mandate and essential minimum coverage can be suspended if determined to be burdensome. There is concern over how broad exceptions for items could impact the marketplace. Larry Levitt of the Kaiser Family Foundation claimed: “Potentially the biggest effect of this order could be widespread waivers from the individual mandate, which would likely create chaos in the individual insurance market.” LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Families USA – Non-profit organization that advocates for accessible, affordable, and comprehensive care working to stop the repeal of the ACA.
- Coalition to Protect America’s Health Care – An organization fighting to defend access to hospitals from federal cuts to patient care.
- Save Obamacare – Obamacare Fact’s resource page for information on how to support the ACA in 2017.
This brief was compiled by Elizabeth Kiefer. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact elizabeth@usresistnews.org.
Trans-Pacific Partnership
Presidential Memorandum
Issued on January 23rd, 2017
Summary
On January 23rd, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in order to institute his “America First Trade Policy” and enforce a “bilateral basis in negotiating future trade deals.” TPP was an agreement made by the Obama Administration which created a trade zone of twelve countries that border the Pacific Ocean, including Japan, Mexico, Canada, and Australia (including others). The agreement essentially forms stronger ties between the nations involved —slashing tariffs, encouraging trade, and enforcing trade rules— and would slowly implement these new terms over the next 15 years. LEARN MORE
Analysis
TPP could be one of the most important international economic agreements in history. The key is in the long term: TPP sets up a large trading zone and the United States would be the leader. GDP, real income, and exports are expected to rise over time. These types of trading zones will happen inevitably —and the United States could miss out on a big opportunity. Not only this, but TPP would allow the United States to impose regulations and rules, from environmental standards to worker’s rights, and this benefits every country in the deal. Not only are bilateral deals less effective, but something like the TPP will emerge and the U.S. will be left in the dust. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Fairtrade Foundation — An international advocacy group which works to secure fair prices and workers’ rights for farmers.
- Fair Wage Network — An NGO which fights for fair minimum wage laws across and within nations in order to protect workers regardless of gender, class, or race.
- Business Council for Global Development — An organization which helps connect businesses in developing nations to their governments in order to advocate for economic, social, and environmental issues as well as success within the business.
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.
Medicaid in the American Health Care Act
Proposed Legislation
Replacement Bill released March 6, 2017
Summary
The proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA) that Republicans released on Monday would restructure Medicaid spending at the Federal and State levels by capping federal funding to the states. Each state would have to come up with any necessary funds beyond this fixed amount. The proposed bill freezes the expansion of Medicaid from the Affordable Care Act effective January 1st of 2020. This proposed freeze caused some discrepancies among Republican Senators as at least 4 Republican Senators say they will not vote for a bill that fails to protect Americans who became eligible for coverage under the ACA’s expansion of Medicaid. On Thursday, March 9th the bill passed the House Ways and Means Committee, a permanent committee of the House that recommends bills that will raise government revenue. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Obamacare expanded Medicaid to over 11 million people in 31 states as it broadened the coverage standards. The new bill’s freezing of this expansion may mean millions will now go uninsured. In 2010 Arizona froze enrollment in KidsCare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) under Medicare. This freeze led to savings of $12.9 million in FY 2011, but it has also resulted in over 100,000 children being placed on a waiting list for coverage. The AHCA’s freeze will likely do the same; save the government money but cover less people. Other concerns regarding the bill are the AHCA’s ability to effectively respond to unforeseen circumstances such as recessions, disease outbreaks, or the release of a new, expensive drug. In these situations, without additional funding, states would have to ration coverage. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- American Medical Association – AMA is strongly opposing the ACA replacement bill. On their website, you can learn about efforts to stop health insurance merger, see their vision for health care reform, and read articles about their AHCA opposition and why.
- National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare – This independent group fights to boost social security, prevent cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, and protect the working class. The website offers ways to show support, become an advocate, and join their forces.
- American Public Health Association – The APHA supports public health in many areas, including policy and advocacy. The website also provides a fact sheet about why we still need the ACA. On the website you can donate, become a member, and sign up for their newsletter.
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.
