“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time,
and your government when it deserves it.” – Mark Twain

By Indivisible 49

Over the last six months, many of us have gone from sitting on the sidelines and letting our government “happen” to us to taking an active role in standing up for our freedoms. We went to meetings, rallies, marches, called our Rep and Senators, held meetings in our home, wrote postcards–many times, for the first time ever.

This week we can bask in remembering that our voices matter, that small actions matter, that being a good citizen matters. Along with the three brave Senators, we can enjoy knowing that we played a small part in staving off an irresponsible bill that would have hurt millions of people and our economy.

Obviously, others have been fighting the fight for years or decades. And of course, there is SO much to do. To make the ACA better. To stand up for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. For our immigrant brothers and sisters. And fellow citizens of color. So much more to do.

For now, let’s bask in the remembering that our voices matter.

In Congress This Week: On recess. (We’ll return with this column in a few weeks)

Issa’s activities: (Local section) In The News:

7/25 – Can someone inform Issa that Hillary Clinton is no longer running for office?

On Boston Herald Radio’s Morning Meeting, Issa hailed Jared Kushner’s closed-door hearing on Russia collusion: “He didn’t collude.”

He praised Ivanka for staying focused on “the vision of this president…no matter how much people try to distract it with allegations of something that even if true, wouldn’t be illegal,” when she walked in on the meeting he was having over at the White House with new communications director Scaramucci. Cringe-worthy written excerpt here.

In the same Radio interview, Issa defended repealing the ACA, saying voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act is a vote for “free market and competition” over “Stalin-type socialism.” Full interview here.

7/24 – In IP Watchdog – the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) issued a press release defending the judge Issa admonished at a House Subcommittee on Courts & Intellectual Property patent hearing. Reporter Steve Brachmann writes: “Darrell Issa laughs when he’s presented with different viewpoints, which point out the realities of our country’s failing patent system. He hurls personal attacks in the service of defending the interest of patent infringers. By his own definition, he himself is a patent troll. It’s no wonder that our country’s patent system is careening downhill, given the leadership at the helm.”

Highlights of Congressional Legislation:

• HR 3231 – Amend Title X of Public Health Service Act with respect to adoption and other pregnancy options counseling. Read: deterring women from abortions.
• S 1456 A bill to provide that human life shall be deemed to begin with fertilization.
• HR 3276 Repeal the ACA and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act
• HR 3210 SECRET ACT Expediting security clearance
• HR 3384 To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act by repealing the paid lunch equity requirements. NEW!
• HR 3398 To amend the Real ID Act of 2005 to permit Freely Associated States to meet identification requirements under such Act, and for other purposes. NEW! Related to immigration and ID’s
• H.R. 3364 Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act PASSED HOUSE. ON TO SENATE.
• H.R. 3387 Drinking Water System Improvement Act of 2017 NEW!
• S 1594 Modify authority of National Labor Relations Board with respect to rulemaking, issuance of complaints and authority over unfair labor practices. I.e. weakening labor protections.
• HR 1555/S 642 FAIR Act Restoring integrity of 5th amendment. One implication: not allowing gov’t to seize property of people suspected in drug crimes. GOOD BILL

Recommended Action: Call Issa to urge him to work with Dems after the August recess to fix the ACA. And if you have time, call/write to thank the three Senators who killed TrumpCare. Also, for those of you who do not live in CA’s 49th district, call your Reps and Senators and urge them to work together to fix the ACA!

*** This briefing brought to you by Indivisible 49. This is not a comprehensive list. This is made by citizens just like you. We ask that you read it critically–not accepting it as the truth but engaging in it actively. Together, we can figure out what’s really going on, and bust some serious Congressional balls in the process. Click here to get involved.