There are many, many reasons to be angry about the behavior of the Trump administration and the refusal of a GOP-led Congress to act on… any of it. Could Trump’s actions in Helsinki, and his defense of these actions, be the tipping point? Not unless voters make it happen.

This week’s Tiny Action: Demand that Congress respond immediately and forcefully to Trump’s siding with Russia over the United States.

While we strive to keep these as brief as possible, there are a number of ways Congress can respond. We encourage you to do any (or all!) of the four actions listed below.

1. Demand appropriate response from the  Senate and the House after Trump's meeting with Putin.

Hi my name is [NAME]. I’m a voter from [CITY, STATE], but I currently live in [LOCATION].

I am extremely troubled by Trump's denial that Russia was responsible for the 2016 election attacks, and I’m incredibly concerned that nearly a week later we’ve seen no actionable response from Congress.

I ask that the Senator/Congress(wo)man immediately counter these dangerous and unpatriotic actions by...
[CHOOSE from the following:]

• Supporting all joint resolutions stating that Russia was responsible for the 2016 election attack
• Passing legislation to protect the Mueller investigation
• Increasing sanctions against Russia Holding hearings with US intelligence officials on what has or hasn’t been done to prevent further cyber attacks
• Demanding that Trump end all attacks on the DOJ, FBI and Special Counsel and extradite the 12 indicted Russian nationals to the US
• Subpoenaing the translators from the Trump/Putin meeting and subpoenaing Trump’s tax and business records to see what leverage Russia really has

This is not a time to be partisan. This is a time to act swiftly and strongly. I look forward to the Senator/Congress(wo)man responding accordingly.

Thanks for your time.

2. Tell your Senators and Representative to secure our elections.

Hi my name is [NAME]. I’m a voter from [CITY, STATE], but I currently live in [LOCATION].

I am extremely troubled by Trump's denial that Russia was responsible for the 2016 election attacks, and I’m incredibly concerned that nearly a week later we’ve seen no actionable response from Congress.

I'm calling to ask that the Senator/Congress(wo)man work to ensure our elections process is safe and secure by passing legislation like the Deter Act and the Protecting American Votes and Elections Act (or SAFE Act in the House), to combat election cyber threats and adequately fund all election security systems.

As an American overseas, I’m also more than aware of how difficult it can be to vote remotely. This is why I ask that the Senator/Congress(wo)man ensure that such legislation does not infringe on the rights of voters like me by demanding, for example, all paper ballots. This would not solve the problem and would only disenfranchise voters like me. 

Thanks for your time.

3. Tell your Senators and Representative to investigate the NRA's relationship with Russia, and for your Senators to oppose IRS Commissioner nominee Charles Rettig.

Hi my name is [NAME]. I’m a voter from [CITY, STATE], but I currently live in [LOCATION].

I am extremely troubled by Trump's denial that Russia was responsible for the 2016 election attacks, and I’m incredibly concerned that nearly a week later we’ve seen no actionable response from Congress.

I‘m calling to ask that the Senator/Congress(wo)man demand an investigation into the NRA's role in the activities of Russian operatives in their attempt to influence the American political process and to funnel money and influence through the organization. It is absolutely critical for Congress to thoroughly investigate and report to constituents any findings they discover.

[IF CALLING SENATE] In light of this, the decision by the IRS to no longer require organizations like the NRA to report on where their money is coming from is incredibly disturbing and will only make things worse. Until the IRS walks back this decision, I ask that you oppose the nomination of Charles Rettig to IRS Commissioner. 

Thank you for your time and attention.

4. Tell your Senators to oppose the SCOTUS nomination of Brett Kavanaugh

Hi my name is [NAME]. I’m a vote from [STATE], but I currently live in [LOCATION]. I vote for my Senators from here and also volunteer to help Americans abroad vote.

I’m calling to tell the Senator that s/he simply must refuse to vote for the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court prior to the midterm elections, and I ask the Senator to vet the nominee - who served for years as a political operative in addition to judge and lawyer - the same way Elena Kagan was vetted. I need all of his emails while working in the Bush White House to be made public for the review of the Senator's office, media and citizens.

There are many very serious reasons to oppose Kavanaugh, whose record shows no reason he WON'T legislate from the bench, including his stance on women's rights, corporate responsibility, net neutrality, health care, and equality. 

But the most urgent reason not to vote for him is his stance that a sitting president should not be investigated. Appointing Kavanaugh while the Russia investigations are still underway, and while there are still clear signs that this president SHOULD be investigated, is a disaster waiting to happen. 

Please stand with your constituents and put country before party on this nomination. Please vote NO for Brett Kavanaugh. 

Thank you for your time and attention.

WHY IT MATTERS NOW

Not since the infamous “grab them by the…” recordings have we seen leaders on both sides of the aisle express their disapproval of Trump’s actions. But much like after his “both sides” comments on the hate crimes in Charlottesville, most Republicans have offered little more than statements of disappointment.  

Meanwhile, Democrats have led the charge in calling for immediate hearings with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others, resolutions to confirm Russia’s attack on the 2016 elections, stronger sanctions against Russia, legislation to ensure secure elections, and more.

The GOP majority has, until now, continued to side with Trump when it comes to passing actual resolutions or policies — the only possible exception: a nonbinding resolution reaffirming their commitment to protect US ambassadors from questioning by foreign governments, though the White House reportedly supported the resolution just before the vote, as well.

With mounting pressure from voters like you, we can change this.

MORE INFO

• 5 words that reveal Trump still isn't convinced Russia meddled in the 2016 election (CNN)
• Senate Democrats Send Trump Reeling With Massive Effort To Expose Private Putin Meeting (PoliticusUSA)
• Schumer: I Demand Hearings On Trump's Meeting With Putin (Real Clear Politics)
• In Opening Skirmish, Republicans Shoot Down Anti-Putin Resolutions (NYT)
• Republicans block subpoena for Helsinki summit translator (WaPo)
• Democrats protest cuts in election security in giant GOP spending bundle (Politico)
• Bipartisan Group of Senators Wants to Remove Trump’s Ability to Go Soft on Russia (Daily Beast)
• Congress Can Act Right Now to Prevent Interference in the 2018 Elections (The Nation)
• The government is making it easier for “dark money” donors to go unnamed (Vox)
• Senate panel advances Trump IRS nominee (The Hill)

Looking for more? After you’ve requested your ballot, help ensure we take back Congress this fall.

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As always, our aim is to turn tiny actions into big results, so we hope we can continue to count on your help! Be sure to forward and share this action with other activists, and send suggestions for our next tiny action to info at democratsabroad dot org.