JOBS POLICIES, ANALYSIS, AND RESOURCES
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SCOTUS Rejects Trump Administration Request to Review DACA
On Monday, February 26, the Washington Post reported that the Supreme Court declined to take up the Trump administration’s request to review a decision made in a lower federal court to maintain the DACA program (read more about DACA here). This decision means that the Trump administration is not constitutionally permitted…
Temporary Protected Status Extended for Syrians
On Wednesday, January 31, the New York Times reported that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to an estimated 6,900 Syrians living in the United States under the program. Extending the Syrian community’s TPS will enable those individuals to legally work and live…
Russian Indictments, Manafort & Gates Update, Democratic Memo Stall, Dossier Research
The special counsel dropped a bombshell in the Russia investigations last week, delivering 13 indictments of Russian nationals and organizations in relation to their online campaign to disrupt the 2016 election through promotion of fake stories and divisive narratives on social media and around the internet, as well as direct manipulation…
Proposed Amendment to the Americans With Disabilities Act – Favoring Businesses Over People
On February 15, 2018, the United States House of Representatives passed bill H.R. 620, popularly known as the Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Education and Reform Act of 2017, by a vote of 225 – 192. The bill seeks to amend the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act by adding additional procedures that must be met before…
DOI Secretary Zinke Announces Offshore Oil Drilling Program [UPDATED]
Both officials and residents of California have come out in droves to push back against Zinke’s draft of the Offshore Oil Drilling Program. Protests have spanned the length of California, involving thousands of people. The protest in Sacramento preceded a Federal “open house,” which many are calling a peace offering for the lack…
Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the “Waters of the United States” Rule [UPDATED]
Almost a year after the announcement of its review, the Trump administration has formally suspended the “Waters of the United States” Rule. This suspension paves the way for this Administration’s version of the pollution regulating rules. The original Obama rule was up for implementation, and the documents filed on January 31…
Nominations for the EPA, NOAA and Environmental Policy Advisor Positions [UPDATED]
Over the last few weeks, Trump has submitted nominations for various environmental positions within the government. With these nominations, many are worried that the administration has the manpower it needs to roll back green energy initiatives and replace them with coal and fossil fuel programs. There have been four nominations…
Trump’s 2019 Budget Proposal Slashes Health and Welfare Program Funding
On Monday, February 12, President Trump released a 2019 budget proposal. The proposal calls for massive cuts to social welfare programs such as food stamps, housing subsidies, and health insurance. Trump’s proposal would cut food stamp funding by almost 30% over the next decade. Part of these cost savings would come…
Congress Kicks the FY2018 Budget Can Down the Road As Trump Releases FY2019 Goals
The US government shut down, again, for only a few hours last Friday while Congress worked overtime hashing out another Continuing Resolution that funds federal operations through March 23, along with a 2-year spending bill, both signed into law by Trump on the morning of February 9. The shutdown had little effect during…
U.S. Senate: The Obamacare Replacement Act (S. 222)
Proposed Legislation
Proposed on January 25, 2017
Summary
Senator Rand Paul’s proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act does not include a personal mandate for insurance coverage and existing essential health benefits all insurance companies are required to provide. The act expands Health Savings Accounts (HAS) by removing the cap and authorizing an increase in tax credits to be contributed towards HSAs. Included is temporary protection for people with pre-existing conditions to gain coverage through a two-year window of open enrollment. Paul’s proposal retains some Medicaid expansion provisions while adding opportunities for self-employed and individually insured to pool coverage and allowing insurance to be purchased across state lines. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Sen. Paul’s proposition could severely limit minimum coverage plans which would no longer be required to provide preventative health care services, such as contraception, or other services deemed essential health benefits by Obamacare. While this provision would potentially make some plans more affordable for people who do not qualify for Medicaid, it jeopardizes the quality of care people in these financial groups. Additionally, Paul’s plan to protect people with preexisting conditions only applies to those who sign up for coverage and maintain coverage. It does not guarantee coverage for those who sign up after the two years. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Heath Care for All – Help protect healthcare in Massachusetts.
- Families USA – There are several ways to get involved in efforts to protect health care under the ACA with Families USA.
- Call My Congress – To stand up for quality healthcare provided by the Affordable Care Act, call your senator.
- Countable – You can provide comments on the bill via Countable.
- Indivisible Guide – Reach out to local groups (or create one yourself) to protest Obamacare repeal efforts.
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.
Mexico City Policy
Presidential Memorandum
Released on January 23, 2017
Summary
The Trump Administration has reinstated the Mexico City Policy, which was rescinded by both President Clinton and President Obama. The Mexico City Policy is a policy of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which prohibits foreign family-planning NGOs from receiving US federal funding if they perform or “actively promote abortion as a method of family planning.” The current administration has extended the policy to apply to all “global health assistance” NGOs instead of just those which focus on family planning. LEARN MORE
Analysis
The Mexico City Policy is a regressive and restrictive gag order which ultimately does more harm than good. In a research paper published by the World Health Organization (WHO), they found a correlation between years in which the Mexico City Policy was in effect and higher abortion rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Contrary to assumptions, it appears as though the Mexico City Policy actually increases abortion rates. When successful organizations are prohibited from receiving funding, they cannot provide a multitude of other family-planning resources, which can lead to unintended pregnancies and poorly-planned family lifestyle. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Population Action International — An international NGO which focuses on family planning. PAI is focusing a campaign against Trump’s gag order.
- National Coalition Against Censorship — NCAC is a large coalition of members from many different areas of influence who fight for freedom from censorship. NCAC has an opposition case against the Mexico City Policy.
- Center for Reproductive Rights — CRR works with the law to expand reproductive rights for all governments across the globe.
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.
Repeal and Replace Obamacare: Effects on Medicaid
Proposed Legislation
Plan outline released on February 16, 2017
Policy Summary
Republicans released a replacement plan outline for the Affordable Care Act that they claim will increase coverage while decreasing prices, but it’s unclear how. In Health Care, there are no perfect answers and are always tradeoffs. Many believe Obamacare “sacrificed affordability in order to get more people insured” by expanding expensive Medicaid programs to reach over 70 million additional Americans. The proposed legislation would transition Medicaid from an entitlement program with guaranteed federal funding, to a per capita allotment or a block grant per program. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Republicans claim these changes will give states the flexibility and control they need while Democrats argue the number of people covered and the quality of care will decline. Proposed legislation “empowers states to design plans that will best meet their needs and put Medicaid on sustainable financial footing.” Many are worried that states would not be able to react quickly enough to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, disease outbreaks, or other emergencies that require Medicaid’s assistance. The new plan is also criticized for its proposal to fix Medicaid spending and then raise it at the annual rate of inflation when “medical costs consistently rise faster than inflation.” LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – Official government website that provides information about Medicare and Medicaid as well as opportunities to get involved.
- Health Leads – An organization dedicated to providing community-based tools for a healthy lifestyle. This website provides opportunities to volunteer or donate to the cause.
- Families USA – Advocacy group for nation-wide, affordable health care coverage with opportunities to donate, sign a petition, reach out to Congress members, and learn more about Health Care issues and trends.
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.
Stream Protection Rule
Approved Legislation
Approved on February 16, 2017
Summary
President Trump signed a bill nullifying the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s Stream Protection Rule (SPR). The rule, issued in the closing days of the Obama-era, revised existing regulations that were enacted more than 30 years ago and was created in order to reflect advancements in science, technology, and coal mining operations. Changes were intended to minimize adverse impacts of coal mining on surface water, wildlife, and ecological health in order to protect biological resources and reduce human health and climate change-related risks. Trump and Republican lawmakers claim the legislation will save jobs and revive the American coal industry. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Chris Wood, president of Trout Unlimited, argues in a New York Times op-ed that the SPR is necessary to help reduce the devastating effects of acid mine drainage on water health and on the commercial fishing industry which supports over 800,000 jobs (more than five times that of the coal industry). A January 11th report from the Congressional Research Service clarified the health and environmental benefits of the SPR: stream restoration requirements would protect wildlife and reduce human exposure to contaminants in drinking water, while forest restoration will increase carbon storage and reduce emissions, reducing risks for human health and climate change. The report also noted that while the SPA would reduce coal-related employment by 260 jobs per year an average of 250 jobs would be created from compliance activities yearly. It is also widely accepted that the decline of the coal jobs has less to do with regulations, stemming primarily from mechanization, cheaper alternative energy sources, and weakened demand. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Trout Unlimited – A national non-profit dedicated to the conservation of clean water and associated upland habitats for fish, wildlife, and people.
- Southern Environmental Law Center – A non-profit legal group specializing in environmental protection (clean energy, healthy water, wildlife, etc.) in the Southeast US.
- Clean Water Action – An environmental advocacy group focused on canvassing and gaining support for political issues and candidates.
- League of Conservation Voters – An American political advocacy organization that supports a pro-environment agenda through voter education, voter mobilization, and direct contributions.
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.
Protections for Transgender Students
Rescinded Protection Guidance
Issued on February 10, 2017
Summary
President Donald Trump has rescinded protections for transgender students established by the Obama Administration which previously guarded a transgender student’s right to use the bathroom or locker room of their choice under federal anti-discrimination law. Top officials from the Department of Education and the Department of Justice produced a letter establishing their disagreement with the previous administration’s interpretation of Title IX, stating that the guidance is to be disregarded and taking the position that states and districts should be able to make their own policies in regards to this matter. LEARN MORE
Analysis
President Trump’s controversial Education Secretary Betsy Devos reportedly resisted signing the letter for fear of the potential harm it could cause. Although many states publicly stated their continued commitment to their transgender students, Sarah Warbelow, legal director at the Human Rights Campaign believes that the statement made by the White House, in this case, encourages bad behavior. James Esseks of the ACLU argued in a statement that while this action was devastating, the Supreme Court did say it would decide which interpretation if Title IX is correct regardless of the letter during a case to be heard in March. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- GLSEN – An organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQ students grades k-12. In addition to information on rights of transgender students, GLSEN offers many programs to help organizers engage school communities.
- American Civil Liberties Union – Provides a comprehensive brief of the rights guaranteed to transgender students under Title IX, as well as the opportunity to file a complaint through their office.
- Human Rights Campaign – Works to educate the public on the issues faced by the transgender population and provides a wide range of resources for the group and their family members.
- Transgender Law Center’s League of Resistance – Building upon their existing efforts, the league aims to “harness community power” to fight what lies ahead.
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.
State Voter ID Laws
Proposed Texas State Legislation
Introduced February 22, 2017
Summary
The Texas state legislature recently revealed voter ID legislation amendments that aim to satisfy recent court rulings that determined that its current voter ID law had a discriminatory effect against minority groups. The new proposal contains a feature that would permit a voter without any of the currently accepted seven forms of ID to still cast a ballot if they showed an alternate form of identification and “reasonably” claimed that they have been unable to get one of the accepted forms of photo ID. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Even with the proposed additions to the Texas voter photo ID law that are aimed at complying with recent court rulings challenging it, the law itself still creates obstacles for people to vote. According to a fact sheet prepared by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) voter photo ID laws are enforced in a discriminatory manner and often result in minorities being questioned about their ID more often than white voters. The effect of these voter photo ID laws is that it tends to reduce voter turnout from minority communities. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- American Civil Liberties Union – The ACLU is a nonprofit organization that works to preserve and defend individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all citizens. The organization invites donations and offers a platform for citizens to take action on numerous issues and to stand up for what they believe is right.
- Brennan Center for Justice – The Brennan Center for Justice is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that fights to improve American democracy and its system of justice. The organization is a good resource on pressing legal issues and also hosts symposiums and information panels.
- Advancement Project – The Advancement Project is a multi-racial civil rights organization that aspires to create community-based solutions and strategic initiatives to promote equality and justice. They provide tools and resources on their core issues of voter rights, immigrant justice, and educational opportunities.
- Project Vote – Project Vote’s mission is to make sure that every eligible citizen is able to register, vote and cast a ballot that counts. They provide resources on all legal issues related to voting and provides a comprehensive bill tracking tool that analyzes all legislative bills related to voting.
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.