#Jeff merkley

[vyorei]

Protests in DC, nice job guys, people have to keep making noise.

Reading the names is also important.

Speak them.

Those people existed, had lives, were meant to live and grow and experience a world without occupiers pointing guns in their faces and dropping bombs on their children. They can't because the global powers who could prevent further chaos, failed to do so. There is blood on the hands of the Biden Administration.

Good to see USians aren't completely brainwashed.

BASED WASHINGTON DC ✊🇵🇸

[anghraine]

Erin Reed of "Erin in the Morning" heard from various movers and shakers in the Democratic Party about the two Congressmen and various pundits saying the real culprit here is ... trans rights. She also compiled quotes from a few other influential Democrats quoted elsewhere as well. I thought it might be worthwhile to share while so many people are justifiably terrified, so here's the link to her newsletter, and some of the quotes in question—

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon):

In the 1990s I became the first Senate candidate to support gay marriage. After the 2004 election a lot of pundits said it was time for Democrats to stop standing up for gay people. They were wrong, and history showed we could stand up for what’s right and still win elections. This is not the time to abandon our values and principles, we must double down and fight for what is just and right – and that includes making sure that transgender people can live their lives without fear of discrimination. Our coalition is made stronger when we fight for all people and refuse to scapegoat vulnerable people.

A spokesperson for Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont):

The Senator will continue to stand up for the rights and personal freedoms of all Vermonters, including trans and LGBTQ Vermonters. The Democratic party fights to level the playing field—whether that’s creating jobs and lowering costs, protecting rights and personal freedoms, or making it easier to access health care. What news pundits say won’t change our core values.

Senator Alex Padilla (D-California):

Now more than ever, I remain committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and ensuring that trans people are treated with dignity and respect. The fight to defend the rights and freedoms of trans individuals continues, regardless of who occupies the White House.

Andy Beshear, governor of Kentucky:

None of this means we abandon important values and principles. As governor, I have vetoed numerous anti-L.G.B.T.Q. and anti-choice bills, yet I still beat Mr. Trump’s handpicked candidate last fall. [...] Earning trust and showing people you care about them also requires that we talk to people like normal human beings. And that we are not afraid to share our “why.” For me, my why is my faith, and I share it proudly. I vetoed anti-L.G.B.T.Q. legislation last year because I believe all children are children of God. And whether people agree with my decision, they know why I’m making it. They know where I am coming from. So while others are talking about political strategy and messaging, the way forward is really about focus and about action.

Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington):

Democrats absolutely do not need to sacrifice trans people’s rights—or anyone else’s rights for that matter—to win elections. Most Americans believe in freedom, including the freedom to make your own health care decisions and live your life as you see fit. Frankly, the GOP’s intense focus on attacking the freedoms of such a tiny segment of the American population is nothing short of disturbing and no doubt deeply unproductive given the wide range of serious challenges facing our country.

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois):

Unlike political pundits, my duty as a United States Senator, my literal oath of office, is to support and defend the Constitution—and one of the most important constitutional principles is equal protection under the law. Election results have no bearing on that sacred oath, nor the reality that our nation was founded on the ideal that every individual is endowed with the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Denying Americans basic freedoms because of who they love or who they are is a betrayal of our founding ideals, period.

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon):

Every American deserves the freedom to fully participate in every aspect of our national life. No one should ever be excluded from this vision. As MAGA extremists continue their attacks on members of the LGBTQ+ community to score cheap political points, I will push to end discrimination and expand freedom for all.

[thekeypa]

Thank you to the members of Senate who voted against sending more weapons to Israel.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Trudy Ring at The Advocate:

More than 40 U.S. senators have signed on to a letter opposing the inclusion of anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion provisions in must-pass spending bills. The letter, addressed to Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray, a Democrat, and Vice Chair Susan Collins, a Republican, comes as the Senate is about to consider the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill, as passed by the House of Representatives, has a provision denying health care coverage under TriCare, the military’s insurance plan, for gender-affirming care for trans people under 18, which would affect children of service members.

The letter is led by Sens. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Cory Booker of New Jersey, all Democrats. The signatories are all Democrats or independents who caucus with the Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, are copied on it. “We write to urge you to keep the FY25 appropriations bills free of any new poison pill policy riders,” the letter begins. “Partisan, discriminatory, and harmful policy riders have no place in must-pass legislation such as appropriations bills. In the recent past, the Senate has had success passing bipartisan bills in committee because these bills did not contain new poison pill riders. Unfortunately, in FY25, the House has included more than 55 new anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ riders in its appropriations bills, which we urge you to reject from any final FY25 appropriations bills.”

There are 12 appropriations bills, plus the NDAA, which is considered a policy bill rather than an appropriations bill. It sets funding goals, while appropriations bills actually provide the money. A rider is an attachment to a bill that isn’t relevant to the bill’s primary purpose. The Senate, with a Democratic majority for now, managed to reject such riders last year, but Republicans, especially in the House, keep trying.

Happy to see 45 Democratic and Democratic-caucusing Independents sign on the letter opposing toxic anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion nonsense in must-pass spending bills. Hopefully the Senate votes to remove the odious provision of removing gender-affirming care coverage for trans minors from Tricare.

See Also:

LGBTQ Nation: Sen. Tammy Baldwin & 44 others fight GOP’s anti-LGBTQ+ provisions in “must pass” funding bills

Jeff Merkley's Senate Page: Merkley, Baldwin, Booker, 40+ Senators: No New Anti-LGBTQ+, Anti-Abortion Provisions in Must-Pass Government Funding Bills

[phoenixyfriend]

Most useful podcast I've heard this morning is Democracy Now again. Here's the 2/29/24 episode on Spotify:

It is also available online, with text format as well.

This episode has an extended interview with a sitting US Senator, Oregon's Jeff Merkley, about the work he and other pro-ceasefire officials are doing to push for Palestinian survival, the possible impact of Listen To Michigan, and the ramifications of Mitch MConnell stepping down as Senate Leader in November, in light of his history in US government.

[generallemarc]

YES!!! This is huge with a capital Y!!!!

Back in 2021 there was an international, inter-legislative group formed called the International Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, a group dedicated to opposing the spread of Chinese influence, raising awareness of its genocide against the Ugyhurs, oppression of the Tibetans and minority religious groups, crackdowns on Hong Kong and Macau, and general tyrannical behavior towards its entire population. This might seem like business as usual for countries like America, but for some states with legislators involved like Italy, New Zealand, or especially the Solomon Islands, it very much isn't. The group consists of legislatures from nearly two dozen countries and the European Parliament, and makes a point of appointing two legislators from the two biggest opposing parties of each country as co-chairs whenever possible. So the two British co-chairs are a Labor MP and a Tory MP, the two Canadian co-chairs are a Liberal and a Conservative, and the two American co-chairs are a Democrat and a Republican. Those last two were Senator Jeff Merkely of Oregon and Senator Marco Rubio.

The alliance never had much in the way of heavy-hitters; a Belgian who used to be Prime Minister but is now an MEP(Member of the European Parliament), a leader of a minor Norwegian political party and a mid-sized Danish one(both in opposition), a Czech MP who was Minister for Science and Research for a few years. But this? This changes everything. It would be huge for any country to appoint a member as their foreign minister, but for America? It's a godsend. Much as you might not believe me, there's a handful of Democratic representatives and senators who'll likely be celebrating this, because one of their fellow IPAC members now has Trump's ear. I'd always been disheartened that there weren't even 15 total American members from both houses compared against dozens of British and Canadian MPs, but, if you'll forgive the pun, in this case quality trumps quantity. Fuck Matt Gaetz, all my homies hate Matt Gaetz, but our foreign policy is now locked in to make what Trump's first term treated China as look tame. Hell, maybe even how Biden treated them, and despite his numerous other failings Biden was no slouch on China. I could not be happier about this pick-despite all his other picks' failings, this could potentially make up for all of them combined. Maybe SEATO 2.0 isn't possible now, but as they say, the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, and the second best time is today. Let's start laying that groundwork, Mr. Secretary.

[theivorybilledwoodpecker]

Keep calling your reps!

[biscuitsngravie]

Shut down Morrison Bridge entirely. You don't get peace until the occupation ends COMPLETELY. Call and email Jeff Merkley to call for a Ceasefire NOW. this will not stop.

[sinoeurovoices]

紀念六四34週年 美提名中國這3人角逐諾貝爾和平獎

今（4）日是六四天安門34週年。為了紀念該屠殺悲劇，美國國會及行政當局中國委員會（CECC）日前提名三位中國民權鬥士角逐諾貝爾和平獎，包括為抗議當局清零政策，而在天橋上拉起橫幅的的北京「四通橋勇士」彭載舟（本名彭立發）、前往武漢追蹤疫情消息而遭判刑入獄的公民記者張展，以及「白紙革命」先驅、至今仍「被失聯」的南京傳媒學院學生李康夢。 天橋上拉起橫幅的的北京「四通橋勇士」彭立發與張展、李康夢被美國提名角逐2023諾北爾和平獎。   圖：翻攝時代雜誌官網 共和黨籍眾議員、CECC主席史密斯（Chris Smith）和民主黨籍參議員默克利（Jeff…

[cabbagecrow]

merkley at the mall

[ida-spies-genitals]

This is my grandson

Ivan! If there are arny people who want to marry him please

CLICK THE LINK IN BIO TO HAVE SLIDING FUN IN CHUTES AND LADDERS!

[ridenwithbiden]

A group of Democratic senators introduced a bill Thursday that would radically change the makeup of the Supreme Court, amid ongoing concerns over court ethics and its increasingly conservative makeup.

The legislation would appoint a new Supreme Court justice every two years, with that justice hearing every case for 18 years before stepping back from the bench and only hearing a “small number of constitutionally required cases.”

“The Supreme Court is facing a crisis of legitimacy that is exacerbated by radical decisions at odds with established legal precedent, ethical lapses of sitting justices, and politicization of the confirmation process,” Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said in a statement.

“This crisis has eroded faith and confidence in our nation’s highest court. Fundamental reform is necessary to address this crisis and restore trust in the institution.”

Only the nine most recently appointed justices would hear appellate cases, which make up a bulk of the court’s work. All living justices would participate in a smaller subset of cases under the court’s “original jurisdiction,” such as disputes between states or with foreign officials.

The bill was introduced by Sens. Booker, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and it was co-sponsored by Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii).

Calls for Supreme Court reform grew louder this year after ProPublica revealed that Justice Clarence Thomas received hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of perks from conservative political donors. Further investigations have uncovered multiple significant and undisclosed gifts from politically connected friends over his time as a federal judge.

Justice Samuel Alito also took a luxury vacation paid for by an influential conservative donor while in the judiciary, another investigation found earlier this year.

The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill earlier this year along party lines that would require the Supreme Court to create and abide by a code of ethics. Unlike lower courts, Supreme Court judges are not beholden to an official ethics code.

“An organized scheme by right-wing special interests to capture and control the Supreme Court, aided by gobs of billionaire dark money flowing through the confirmation process and judicial lobbying, has resulted in an unaccountable Court out of step with the American people,” Whitehouse said in a statement.

“Term limits and biennial appointments would make the Court more representative of the public and lower the stakes of each justice’s appointment, while preserving constitutional protections for judicial independence.

“As Congress considers multiple options to restore the integrity of this scandal-plagued Court, our term limits bill should be front and center as a potential solution,” he added.

Attempts to reform the Supreme Court have been denounced by both Republicans in Congress and by some members of the court, namely Thomas and Alito.

Alito argued earlier this year that Congress does not have the authority to force any reform on the court without a constitutional amendment.

“I know this is a controversial view, but I’m willing to say it,” Alito told The Wall Street Journal. “No provision in the Constitution gives them the authority to regulate the Supreme Court — period.”

But Whitehouse’s office argued in Wednesday’s statement that the Constitution allows Congress to regulate how the court handles appellate cases from lower courts. That’s why all justices would still weigh in on “original jurisdiction” cases, avoiding the constitutional hang-up.

Trust in the Supreme Court remains near all-time lows, according to national opinion polling. A Gallup poll last month found that just 41 percent of Americans approve of how the Supreme Court is doing its job, with 58 percent disapproving.

[reality-detective]

Senator Jeff Merkley with an updated report on the surveillance state: The TSA continues to make it unclear that you ARE able to opt out of using facial recognition technology. (2 min, 48 sec) More about your freedom to opt out from the TSA's own website: 👇

I hope this helps some of you who are Patriots and want to fight the system 🤔

[thekeypa]

“The U.S. must end its complicity in the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. We need a ceasefire and a massive influx of lifesaving aid — NOW.”

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Rowaida Abdelaziz at HuffPost:

A group of Democratic senators led by Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter Tuesday night to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to shut down four private detention centers. The letter, first reviewed by HuffPost and signed by Sens. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), targets facilities in New Mexico, California, Louisiana and Virginia. All of the facilities have faced serious complaints over treatment of detainees. Contracts for two of those facilities are up for renewal this week.

“We do not support a system that detains people in inhumane conditions that result in long-term medical issues, psychological trauma, and sometimes death. We urge that these facilities be shut down, in a step towards building an immigration system that welcomes and respects migrants,” read the letter. The letter, addressed to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Patrick Lechleitner, the acting director of ICE, also demands immigration officials to hand over a list of all public and private ICE detention facilities as well as a timeline for ending contracts at those four facilities. “After reports of inhumane conditions, including sleep deprivation, dirty drinking water, and psychological trauma, independent watchdogs and other experts have recommended that the Biden administration close the worst of these facilities,” Warren said. “This would be a meaningful step toward ending the federal government’s reliance on private detention centers.”

10 Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), sent a letter calling for the closing of the inhumane ICE detention centers. It's also why ICE should be abolished.

[i-am-aprl]

Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon calls on the U.S. to end its complicity in Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, and calls for a ceasefire and a massive influx of lifesaving aid.