FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Here are our Calls to Action, Guides, and Explainers on federal legislation and policy. This includes the federal budget, international affairs, national security, the Mueller investigation, and a range of other topics. Interested in helping us track federal legislation and policy? Take action with us.
OMNIBUS BUDGET: Demand Removal of “Poison Pill” Riders
The omnibus budget bill has just passed the House and is now on its way to the Senate, with a Friday deadline for passage. While some of the worst proposals appear to have been removed, many others that impact environmental protections, the Mueller investigation, campaign finance, and dark money may still be included.
QUICK ACTION: Learn more about these “poison pill” riders, and call your MoC to demand their removal.
KEEP THE COAST CLEAR: Oppose Offshore Drilling in Maine
The Trump administration wants to open most of the U.S. coastline to oil and gas exploration, including Maine. Our congressional delegation as well as the Maine legislature unanimously oppose the plan.
QUICK ACTION: Attend a public hearing in Augusta on Wednesday, March 7 and submit a public comment before the March 9 deadline.
DACA UPDATE: Stay Focused on DREAMers
Two important court decisions have temporarily secured DACA, but we still need a permanent solution.
QUICK ACTION: Learn how our Senators voted on recently failed plans, and what new ones could be in the pipeline, and make sure our reps stay focused on permanently protecting DREAMers.
RUSSIAN ATTACKS: Demand Congress Defend Our Country and Election Systems
Despite 13 new indictments against Russian operatives, Trump still refuses to implement sanctions against Russia, undermines investigations into their interference, and offers no plan to prevent them from doing it again.
QUICK ACTION: Demand that Congress defend our country by forcing the president to implement sanctions, approving bills to protect Mueller’s investigation, and crafting a defense plan.
ADA ACCESSIBILITY ROLLBACKS: Protect the Americans with Disabilities Act
A bill that would roll back accessibility rules required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed the House last week–with Rep. Poliquin voting YES–and is headed to the Senate.
QUICK ACTION: Call Poliquin to protest his vote and call Sens. Collins and King and tell them to oppose any attempt to bring the bill for a vote.
FIX DACA NOW: Pass Bipartisan “Phase One” Bills
Trump eliminated the DACA program and his incoherent and racist policy positions are propelling the government toward a second shutdown. Bipartisan bills have been introduced in the House and Senate that can resolve the crisis.
QUICK ACTION: Speak out publicly in support of DACA, and tell your MoC: no more delays. Support the bipartisan “Phase One” bills and solve the DACA crisis before their time runs out.
HOLD THE LINE FOR DACA: Budget Must Protect DREAMers
We await word on a Senate vote to end the government shut down, expected at noon on Monday. It appears Senator Collins is playing a key role in bringing a bipartisan groups of senators together to find common ground.
Stay tuned for an update after the vote!
DENY CLIMATE CHANGE DENIERS: Oppose Kathleen Hartnett White Nomination
Trump’s nominee to be the nation’s top environmental watchdog calls carbon dioxide a “plant nutrient” and says climate change poses no threat to the environment.
QUICK ACTION: Tell Senators Collins and King to OPPOSE Kathleen Hartnett White’s nomination to lead the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality. UPDATE: The White House has WITHDRAWN White’s nomination in the face of fierce opposition by senators, constituents, and environmental advocates.
2017 ELECTION ROUNDUP
Elections in November and December put the nation on notice and showed what we can accomplish when we put our heads together and our boots on the ground.
QUICK ACTION: Read and be inspired by these 2017 election victories, and learn about programs that can train you to run for office.
FINAL GOP TAX PLAN: Big, Bad, and Ugly
Economists say the GOP tax bill will increase overall federal taxes for 80% of Mainers. Collins and Poliquin voted for it anyway. QUICK ACTION: Call and email Collins and Poliquin and submit letters to the editor to voice your disapproval and gear up for a budget fight in January.
Suit Up Maine is an independent, all-volunteer grassroots progressive group that seeks to build a more informed and engaged electorate in Maine. Founded in 2016, Suit Up Maine is run by and for Mainers, and is not engaged in fundraising of any kind. Representing thousands of constituents across Maine’s 16 counties, Suit Up Maine raises awareness of and advocates for policies and legislation that promote equity and equality in civil rights, social justice, health care, the environment, education, the economy, and other areas that affect the lives of all people. Suit Up Maine is beholden to issues and action, not parties or politicians.
