Sean Spicer just told a room full of reporters that Hitler "didn't even sink to using chemical weapons" when describing Bashar Assad's alleged use of chemical gas on Syrian citizens. His apparent ignorance and his on-the-record erasure of the horrors of the Holocaust and the Nazi extermination of millions of people, including 6 million Jews—many in chemical gas chambers—is disgusting. Bashar Assad's alleged use of chemical gas on Syrian men, women, and children is horrifying. But Spicer's statement—denying Hitler's use of chemical gas to asphyxiate and kill innocent people—is wholly unacceptable. And it needs be the end of his tenure as White House Press Secretary. He has lost every shred of credibility as a public spokesperson. Since Trump's dangerous, hate-filled presidential campaign, white nationalist violence and aggression has surged across the country. If Spicer is allowed to remain as a spokesperson for the White House, he puts all of us in danger.

On April 10, 55 Members of the House sent a bipartisan letter to President Trump and Attorney General Sessions demanding that President Trump seek authorization from Congress before escalating militarily in Yemen. Rep. Mark Pocan said, “Administration officials have proposed the U.S. participate directly in an attack on Yemen's major port. Such an attack could push the country into full-blown famine...this letter is a first step in reasserting our Constitutional check on presidential powers. I am committed to pursuing all tools at our disposal to ensure President Trump abides by our Constitution before possibly plunging our country into another senseless conflict.” Rep. Ted Lieu said, “President Trump does not have the authority to send U.S. forces to battle the Houthis in Yemen, period." [1] On April 6, President Trump attacked Syria without congressional authorization. Many Members of Congress have said that President Trump did not have authority for this attack and must seek authorization from Congress before any further military action. [2] But in his required 48-hour notification to Congress on April 8 on the Syria strike, President Trump said he would "take additional action, as necessary and appropriate." He did not say he would seek authorization from Congress before taking "additional action." [3] Under the War Powers Resolution, a single Member of Congress can force a debate and vote on U.S. participation in an unauthorized war. [4] Press your representatives to pledge to invoke the War Powers Resolution to explicitly prohibit military escalation in Syria and Yemen by signing our petition. References: 1. http://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-effort-55-us-representatives-call-on-trump-to-come-to 2. http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/328015-sanders-calls-on-trump-to-come-to-congress-over-syria-strikes; https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-us-air-strike-in-syria- 3. https://www.lawfareblog.com/president-trumps-war-powers-report-syria-attacks 4. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/warpower.asp

Congress has already had numerous opportunities to get hold of Trump's tax returns—with some House Republicans voting as many as seven times since Trump took office to block legislation that calls for the release of Trump's taxes. Donald Trump promised to share his tax returns with us, but hasn't done it. And if left to Trump, he probably never will. Luckily, it's not up to Donald—Congress has the power, through existing authority, to compel Trump and/or the U.S. Treasury to release them. And Congress, like Trump, works for us! Trump's taxes could include information critical to our national interest—they could show us who Trump has been financially entangled with, and who he may be working to please, beyond the American people. It is critical that we see who Trump is connected to, and how he might be personally benefitting from his actions as President. It's time we found out who's been paying Donald Trump.

A new bill (AB 1059 Dual Agency), introduced to the CA State Assembly on March 30, 2017, will, if passed, prohibit dual agency brokerage representation in CA commercial real estate transactions. This would have a profoundly negative impact on the commercial real estate industry, in particular, it will affect small businesses who are tenants/buyers. Although presented as a protection for tenant rights, the bill provides a significant benefit to the brokerage industry, specifically those firms that specialize in tenant/buyer representation. AB 1059 will negatively impact the overall economy, especially small business owners. It will limit the freedom of choice for the consumer and result in increased fees paid to the brokerage industry. As a non-profit organization, representative of all parties in the commercial real estate industry in Southern CA, AIR CRE vehemently opposes the bill’s passing, and encourages its members and non-members in CA CRE to actively oppose the bill. WINNERS & LOSERS OF AB 1059 • LOSERS: tenants/buyers of commercial real estate will no longer be able to work with any broker that that they wish. Forcing this group to either work with a tenant rep broker from a firm other than the listing firm, or represent themselves, will result in higher transactions fees and could stifle small business' ability to close transactions. • NEUTRAL: landlords/sellers of real estate will be impacted the least by the bill, as the increased costs to close a deal will be passed on to tenants/buyers. • WINNERS: tenant/buyer representation brokerage firms will win heavily if the bill is passed. By forcing tenants/buyers to either work with a tenant rep broker from a firm other than the listing firm (or represent themselves), tenant representation-only brokerage firms will be the recipients of additional commission fees, for services that are not wanted, but rather mandated by law. Please add your voice to the petition and forward to your colleagues and friends. Oppose California AB 1059.

As Trump launched thousand-pound missiles into Syria, viewers of cable news were greeted by a parade of retired colonels and generals celebrating the attack while anchors swooned over Trump and images of deadly weapons. Brian Williams called the missiles beautiful three times in 30 seconds. Fareed Zakaria described the missile launch as the moment when Trump "became the President of the United States." Little attention was paid to the dire consequences of recent U.S. military engagement in Yemen or Iraq--or the current and dire refugee crisis in Syria. Trump's motives were generally accepted as humanitarian, despite his not only barring Syrian refugees from this country, but criticizing other countries for accepting them. Useful coverage of the situation in Syria would include covering not only the sight of our missiles sailing through the air, but attention to: - the largest refugee crisis since WWII and Trump's attempt to block Syrian families from entering the U.S. - actual humanitarian support for Syrians--like the $6 Billion in aid committed by European nations 2 days before the bombing - covering the human impact of Trump's proposed decimation of the foreign aid and State Department budgets Responsible reporting would also include covering the impact of missiles after they fall to earth--when they are anything but beautiful. MSNBC must immediately direct their producers, anchors, and journalists to cover both the conflict in Syria and all U.S. military action with the rigor and integrity they deserve by diversifying the viewpoints presented, and demanding sharper and more comprehensive analysis from their anchors and journalists.

These resolutions must not be passed by the Senate. We urge Senators Collins and King to vote NO on H.R. 1430 and H.R. 1431 if they come to a vote in Committee or on the floor. These two bills are backdoor attempts to undermine the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to use science in decision-making and obstruct the process for developing effective public health safeguards.

Donald Trump just released financial disclosure forms, but it tells next-to-nothing about the source of his finances. The forms simply lists the names of dozens of limited liability companies that he either wholly or partially owns. This is why Trump's taxes matter. We don’t know the truth behind payments to the LLCs because these limited liability companies are what are known as “pass-through” entities. They do not pay corporate income tax; instead, their profits simply “pass through” to the owner — i.e., to Donald Trump — who then pays individual income tax on his taxable income. According to Senator Sherrod Brown, "President Trump's refusal to disclose his business dealings make it unclear whether he and his family may be exposed to terrorist financing, sanctions, or money laundering risks through their relationships with investors and associates from Russia and other nations." Therefore we call on the US Senate and it's appropriate committee(s) to subpoena the President's personal and corporate taxes and determine if such risks are present.

Equal Protection for African American defendants and victims of crime! The current Jury selection process is flawed and must change. African-American potential jurors face ongoing constructive judicial fraud and challenging attorneys in court is onerous and exhaustive, and does not provide timely relief. The peremptory removal of potential jurors without a reason invites and promotes unlawful discrimination. All Americans must be protected by the 14th Amendment. Let's change Jury selection laws and revise the Batson challenge!

The Supreme Court of the United States supports the idea that child status does matter. Children are different from adults and should not be treated the same as adults. Texas lawmakers should acknowledge that fact and offer a second chance to those convicted of an offense committed when younger than 18 years of age.

1/4 of this tax cut goes to the top .01 % of tax payers and almost none to farms or family businesses. If we can't afford "Meals on Wheels" we sure can't afford this.

Chairman Earlen did not uphold his oath to protect the sensitive NJ Pinelands. The Pinelands is our nation's first National Reserve, a U.S Biosphere Reserve and protects a 17 trillion gallon fresh water aquifer. The Pinelands Commission is entrusted with its protection. Allowing the pipeline to be constructed through the pinelands, sets a dangerous precedent that cannot be reversed. The pipeline does not protect the sensitive Pinelands.

The Rachel Carson Council has worked with other environmental and citizens' organizations in North Carolina to stop HB 467. But we came up short, despite petitions, organizing, protests, bipartisan opposition in the legislature, and expert Constitutional arguments against the bill. Governor Roy Cooper is the last, best hope to stop this giveaway to big pork and to protect those who suffer from hog waste and pollution. We must call on him to VETO this bill!