A dangerous attempt to undermine one of our democracy's fundamental safeguards is playing out before our very eyes: Trump is demanding that the Senate forgo its constitutional duty to vet and confirm his nominees for crucial government positions — including Secretary of State, Defense, Education, and more. He’d reportedly implement an unprecedented and brazen use of presidential authority to make it happen: Under a bad-faith reading of Article II of the Constitution, the president could potentially force Congress to adjourn and use his presidential authority to recess-appoint his Cabinet while they’re out. Without Senate scrutiny, there would be no public hearings, no tough questions, and no way to stop dangerous, ill-fitted nominees from leading our federal agencies. The resulting harm could take decades to undo, and we’re not about to let it happen without a fight that starts today. Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and too many of his Republican colleagues seem willing to abdicate their constitutional responsibility, but that’s where constituents like you come in, and remind them to do their job.

Whether it’s allegations of sexual assault, concerns about heavy drinking, lack of experience, extremist ties, or past suggestions that the troops should be deployed against protestors and political opponents, one thing is crystal clear: Hegseth is unfit for the role. The Secretary of Defense oversees the largest and most powerful military in the world – and the bloated, too-powerful Pentagon bureaucracy that comes with it. This role demands, at the very least, a leader who prioritizes people’s well-being, has a willingness to root out corruption, understands the military should be a tool of last resort, and approaches our common security with seriousness and responsibility. We knew that would be a tall order for the incoming president, but Hegseth’s record not only falls embarrassingly short, it makes him a potential threat to the safety and security of millions of people, here at home and around the globe. The good news? Multiple outlets are reporting that Hegseth’s nomination is on the rocks. One senator told Politico, the prospects for his confirmation are "bad and getting worse.”[1] When you speak out to your senators today, your voice can tip the scales to derail his appointment before it even begins.  We cannot allow extremist rhetoric, scandal, and unqualified leadership to take root in the Department of Defense. Urge your Senators to reject Pete Hegseth’s nomination.

As of December 19th, my children will have spent six years in foster care, completely cut off from family connections, parental visits, and phone calls. This has resulted in a profound sense of abandonment and alienation, largely due to the actions of the department. The intention behind this approach seems to be to make them more adoptable, but it only reinforces the feeling that they are unloved and unwanted. This is why I believe Title IV-E federal funding should be repealed; it no longer fulfills its original purpose. Below are the negative failures of title 4E federal funding. I had a generated by AI... I didn't want people to second-guess me or think I didn't have my facts straight.  Title IV-E of the Social Security Act provides federal funding for foster care and adoption assistance programs. While the intent of this funding is to support children in the welfare system and promote family stability, there can be negative results and impacts on families. Here are some potential negative outcomes associated with Title IV-E funding: 1. **Incentivization of Foster Care Placement**: The funding structure may inadvertently incentivize the placement of children into foster care rather than supporting families to stay together. This can lead to unnecessary separations and trauma for children and parents. 2. **Limited Support for Preventive Services**: Title IV-E funding primarily focuses on foster care and adoption assistance, which may result in insufficient resources allocated for preventive services that could help families avoid entering the child welfare system in the first place. 3. **Overburdened Child Welfare System**: Increased funding for foster care can lead to an influx of cases, overwhelming the child welfare system. This can result in inadequate attention and resources for families in crisis, leading to poorer outcomes for children and families. 4. **Disparities in Access to Services**: Families from marginalized communities may face barriers in accessing the benefits of Title IV-E funding. This can exacerbate existing inequalities and lead to disproportionate rates of foster care placements among certain populations. 5. **Stigmatization of Families**: The involvement of child welfare services can carry a stigma, which may discourage families from seeking help. This stigma can lead to isolation and further challenges for families struggling with issues that could be addressed with appropriate support. 6. **Short-Term Focus**: The funding may prioritize immediate placements and financial assistance over long-term solutions that address the root causes of family instability, such as poverty, mental health issues, and substance abuse. 7. **Potential for Mismanagement**: With increased funding, there is a risk of mismanagement or misuse of resources, which can detract from the intended support for families and children. This can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency in how funds are utilized. 8. **Impact on Family Reunification**: The focus on foster care placements may delay or complicate the process of family reunification, as resources may be more readily available for foster care than for services that support reunification efforts. 9. **Emotional and Psychological Effects**: The trauma of entering the foster care system can have lasting emotional and psychological effects on children and their families, which may not be adequately addressed by the services funded under Title

Signing this petition is vital to show Oregon’s leaders that we, as residents, demand bold action to protect our shared values and fundamental rights. As California and Washington take decisive steps to safeguard democracy, reproductive rights, environmental protections, and civil liberties, Oregon must join in solidarity to ensure our state remains a leader in progress, equity, and justice. Your signature amplifies the call for meaningful policies and partnerships that counter federal overreach and defend the rights, safety, and dignity of all Oregonians. Together, we can send a powerful message: Oregon will not stand idly by in the face of threats to our core principles. Make your voice heard—sign today!

Elon Musk’s access to information poses a dangerous and unprecedented threat to national security. One expert said it all: ““It’s bad enough that Musk could be careless with classified data or expose himself to blackmail; it’s even more unsettling to imagine him undermining American security because of poor judgment, political grudges, and unwise foreign associations. Remember, this is a man who had to pay a $20 million fine for blabbing about taking Tesla private and had to agree to have some of his social-media posts overseen by a Tesla lawyer — and that’s not even close to classified information.”” Right now, Musk has incredible influence in the Trump transition, weighing in on its hiring decisions and even being offered a role in determining policy after years of using his platforms to spread misinformation and his immense wealth to help secure Trump's victory — and he’s doing it all while regularly chatting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and bragging about his “‘top-secret’ security clearance.” Federal guidelines outline several major disqualifying factors for security clearance, including three red flags prominently featured in Elon Musk's recent history: illegal drug use, questionable foreign ties, and financial problems. It’s a no brainer that his clearance should be reviewed and revoked immediately. By taking action now to revoke Musk's clearance, the Biden administration can create an immediate and crucial firewall against potential abuse of classified information today. But that’s not all: Once revoked, security clearances become significantly harder to reinstate — meaning we’ll make it harder for him to do his worst from either inside or outside the Trump administration next year. So sign now and tell the president to protect national security immediately by revoking Elon Musk's security clearance!

Supporting Adriana Velazquez is about ensuring that Downtown Los Angeles continues to thrive under experienced, compassionate, and effective leadership. Her track record of collaboration, problem-solving, and dedication to our community inspires trust and confidence. By joining this campaign, you help send a clear message that the voices of Downtown residents and businesses matter and that we value leaders who are committed to inclusive growth, enhanced services, and a brighter future for all. 

Matt Gaetz has dropped out as President-elect Trump’s nominee for Attorney General. This is a major victory that wouldn’t have been possible without you. Together, we gathered 82,777 signatures opposing Gaetz’s nomination – building public pressure and making it clear that his extreme, anti-democracy record has no place in the Department of Justice. But our action can’t stop now.   The House Ethics Committee is still sitting on the results of their investigation into Gaetz’s alleged offenses – including misuse of campaign funds, illicit drug use, and sexual misconduct – and we can’t let them cover up the truth. We demand transparency and accountability. Add your name to urge the House to release the full results of its investigation into Matt Gaetz.

Trump's Cabinet appointees have no real interest in serving the American people. Working Americans will pay the price for this dysfunctional leadership, through the repealing of the Affordable Care Act and cutting Medicaid under RFK Jr. and having a white Christian nationalist commanding our nation's military.  As we face a second Trump term, Senate Democrats must do everything in their power to protect our essential government programs and services by rejecting Trump's Cabinet nominees. The consequences of these nominations will affect every person in America. With RFK Jr. leading the Department of Health and Human Services, Big Pharma and other predatory corporations will see record profits while seniors face skyrocketing prescription drug prices and working families have their health care cut through the Affordable Care Act being repealed. Trump is handpicking MAGA loyalists who will protect him at all costs and do anything to enact Project 2025. Trump should not be allowed to circumvent the Senate's process to squeeze in his Cabinet picks while the Senate is in recess.  It's up to us to stop him when we can and slow down any impact he could have on the American people. Trump is trying to create a society where the rich get richer and the working class have to pay even more out of their pockets. Image Credit: CTV

Time and time again, the far-right majority of the Supreme Court has put special interests and politics ahead of people and above delivering justice under the law. But we cannot and will not be silent. Student debt fuels economic, gender, and racial inequality. Our persistent racial wealth gap means that students of color, especially those who are Black and brown, are more likely to have student debt, borrow in higher quantities, and face more struggles in repayment. A higher education should be the key to a better future, instead of a lifetime debt sentence that limits borrowers’ ability to buy homes, start small businesses, and save for retirement, cutting into opportunities for wealth-building over their lifetimes. This is why student loan cancellation is so important. Trump's agenda includes dismantling the Department of Education (DOE), which would have devastating impacts on our communities. The DOE oversees the Pell Grant and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which gives aid to college students who need financial aid. The DOE also enforces the civil rights of students, and supports school programs that support students with disabilities. But Trump, Republicans, and Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices cannot have the last word. We won’t let them win. We have to push back and be in solidarity with each other. Together, we can keep getting loud to show the President Biden that he has the power to to give millions of Americans the student loan relief they need and deserve. President Biden must cancel student debt via executive order before Trump and Republicans gain control over all three branches of our federal government. Will you sign the petition?

As Allegheny County Council prepares to vote on the fee increase, U.S. Steel lobbyists are making the case that it is unfair for the company to have to pay perhaps $50,000 for a few such permits every five years.  U.S. Steel earned $2.14 Billion in 2023, spent $1.65 Million on lobbying this year, and pays its 13 board members $175,000 annually.  The fee increase would amount to a fraction of the millions in fines the company pays each year for air pollution violations in what amounts to a “pay to pollute” arrangement. Please sign the petition asking that County Leadership Vote YES on operating permit fee increase

There is so much uncertainty ahead, but we know that getting through the next four years will rely on us coming together to support one another and doing everything we can to slow down Trump and his MAGA agenda in Congress and in our communities.  We will not stop fighting for our rights, and we will resist Trump's dangerous and regressive agenda at every turn. If the Senate reconfirms Lauren McFerran, Democrats can maintain a majority on the National Labor Relations Board and ensure labor and worker safety at a federal level at least until 2026. There should be no more delays: Confirm Lauren McFerran, the Democratic chair of the National Labor Relations Board NOW! 

The latest reports estimate this year’s Pentagon budget topline will be close to one TRILLION dollars. About half of that astronomical amount is slated to go straight to contractors, just like it has in years past. It’s meant BILLIONS for companies owned by Elon Musk — and there are BILLIONS yet to be made. Right now, U.S. tax dollars help fund the SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellites Musk created — and he’s turned those profits into the kind of enormous political and social power that include a role in the Trump administration. We all pay a steep price: In just the past year alone Elon Musk has used Starlink to disrupt Ukraine's military communications, leveraged Twitter to undermine democratic discourse across the globe, and created the America Pac, a political action committee where he and his cronies plowed unlimited amounts of money toward Donald Trump and MAGA Republican candidates. Next, Musk may very well be “regulating” the very governmental agencies who award lucrative government contracts to his companies It reeks of corruption — but we’ll need a groundswell of grassroots activism to break this feedback loop in its tracks. The Pentagon is accountable to Congress and the public. That’s why we’re working to send Defense Secretary Austin a message tens of thousands of people strong. Join us.