The single most important thing we can do to move our country forward, the thing on which all other progress in the current Senate depends, is to eliminate the filibuster rule. The Democrats can do this if they act in unison. Therefore it is critical to get Joe Manchin and Kristin Sinema, the only Democrats currently in opposition, to feel the weight of popular support and join their fellow Democrats in making this essential change.

It is important to preserve Democracy and free and fair Elections.

Have you heard of the LGTBQ+ “panic” defense, more commonly called the gay “panic” defense? The LGBTQ+ “panic” defense is a legal defense strategy that puts the blame of a violent act on the sexual orientation or gender identity of the victim. When a criminal uses this defense they are stating that the sexual orientation or gender identity of the victim explains and excuses their loss of self control and the violent acts that followed, including murder. This legal strategy is usually used to claim one or more of three defenses: Insanity, stating the victim’s orientation or identity caused the defendant to have a nervous breakdown and lash out violently Provocation, stating that the victim made some kind of non-violent sexual advance which provoked a violent response from the defendant Self-defense, stating that the defendant felt physically threatened because of the victim’s orientation or identity This defense strategy is rooted in homophobia and transphobia and when it is allowed in court it sends a message that the lives of LGBTQ+ people are worth less than other lives. The FBI reported that about 1,736 people were victims of hate crimes in 2019 because of their sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. The LGBTQ+ “panic” defense was used as recently as 2018 in Texas to mitigate a murder charge. 12 other states have banned this defense from being allowed in court. This defense strategy has been used in Utah. One example is George Moriarty. Moriarty was drinking with Gary Horning and Leon Dyer when they went on a drive up Ogden Canyon. What happened between the men is still unknown. What is known is that Moriarty was beaten in the car and then shoved down a 140ft embankment. He survived and climbed back up to the road where Horning and Dyer then hit him with the car they were driving. Moriarty was found dead the next day. Dyer and Horning used the gay “panic” defense and were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to up to only 10 years in prison. There is a much longer list of sexual orientation and gender identity-based hate crimes in Utah. To protect the LGBTQ+ community from having crimes against them tried differently in court because of their orientation or identity, we need to ban the use of the LGBTQ+ “panic” defense in Utah. Sign this petition to be sent to the Utah State House and Senate to ban this from ever happening again in Utah courts. Sources: https://lgbtbar.org/programs/advocacy/gay-trans-panic-defense/ https://ucr.fbi.gov/hate-crime/2019/resource-pages/hate-crime-summary https://www.qsaltlake.com/news/2012/10/01/a-history-of-hate-crimes-in-utah/

Voters elected Democrats to the presidency and to a majority in both houses of Congress, expecting Democrats to deliver real relief for the American people and invest in lifting us all up. That includes increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour—an essential and long-overdue measure that would increase quality of life for tens of millions of people currently working for starvation wages. Republicans stand in opposition to a minimum wage increase, as they always do. But Republicans have shown, again and again, they aren't interested in serious governing or helping deliver for the American people. It's time for Democrats to stop waiting for Republicans—and to stop allowing a minority party to set the agenda in Washington. Democrats have been advised by the Senate parliamentarian they can't include a wage increase in the covid relief bill. They fear that Republicans will use the filibuster—the regular tool of obstructionists who used it to support Jim Crow laws enshrining segregation and inequality and block progress ever since—to block a stand-alone bill. It's time for Democrats to recognize that the American people care about our wages, real relief, investment in jobs and our community—and we don't care about antiquated protocols. Democrats: Deliver the wage increase, however you can. Do it now. Americans are relying on you and will support you if you can deliver on this popular, essential, urgent need.

While Whole Foods billionaires' wealth continues to skyrocket, frontline grocery workers are left to grapple with COVID-19 outbreaks in stores throughout the nation. Why? Because Whole Foods doesn’t provide the paid leave employees need to stay safe or care for their families—forcing them to choose between their paycheck and coming to work if they were exposed to the virus, if they are sick but don’t have access to a test, or leaving a loved one who needs care alone at home. Whole Foods can afford to do better. The grocery store chain and its parent company, Amazon, are raking in profits during the pandemic. To slow the spread of the virus among Whole Foods employees and customers, CEO John Mackey needs to immediately institute a permanent comprehensive paid leave policy. That includes guaranteed paid sick time, paid family and medical leave, and paid time off to be vaccinated.

COVID-19 has devastated Arizonans. Arizona's jobless rate is 7.5%—higher than the national average. 239,000 Arizonans fell behind on rent as of February 2021. Over 1 in 3 have trouble covering basic household expenses. Nearly 700,000 are struggling to keep food on the table. We just passed a devastating milestone as a country: 500,000 Americans dead from COVID. Millions more have experienced deep and lasting health effects from getting the infection. Their lives will never be the same. And we’re still feeling the economic consequences of COVID, as we remain on the brink of massive unemployment and eviction crises. The pandemic is far from over. The economic crisis is ongoing. Sen. Sinema must join the vast majority of Democrats—and Americans overall—who are fully supportive of this COVID relief package.

We need a Director of OMB. Stop holding up the nomination and confirm Ms. Tanden as the next director of OMB.

The failure of politicians and energy providers caused immeasurable suffering for millions of Texans in this recent winter storm and resultant power outages. Do not allow energy providers to shift their costs to already suffering Texan consumers by raising rates or charging excess fees. Texans deserve reliable service and should not bear the costs incurred by multimillion dollar companies who prioritized profits over preparedness. Use the rainy day funds to offset costs and provide relief to already suffering Texans.

The American people have a right to a just and honest government officiated by just and honest officials not afraid of the truth.

She has voted against her party many of times and she makes alaskans look weak.

Our society and our planet are moving much faster than our legacy representatives can keep up with. Being able to retain power for decades in either the Senate or the House of Representatives has led to a decline in bipartisanship, an outright stagnation of any policy advancement, and the least popular Congress in history. Our representatives need to remember that we send them to Washington to represent our interests, not their own. By imposing term limits on all members of Congress, we ensure that representatives will have to make the most of their time, to compromise, and to focus on achieving legislative goals that best suit the needs of Americans.

Agriculture Committee Members, I oppose bill A04611. This bill has broad sweeping negative impacts on many animal interest groups including farmers, bird breeders, reptile keepers, mammal breeders, and more. New York Assembly Bill 4611 (A04611) was introduced on February 4. This bill seeks to ban the shipping of all mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. This included shipments within, into and from the state (both import and export). Per the bill, shipping via any “mail carrier” will be banned so that includes the commonly utilized overnight services from major carriers such as FedEx and UPS (for verified shippers). A04611 was assigned to the Assembly Agriculture Committee. Fines can be $1,000 per violation. Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal introduced the bill and she sits on the assigned Agriculture Committee. The Committee members must be made aware of the broad sweeping repercussions of this bill and informed of the many shipping regulations, restrictions, and safeguards already in place. Please allow me to inform you regarding the many regulations already in place to protect animals. Stringent policies are already in place by shipping companies, as well as various federal and state animal welfare laws. First, mail carriers already prohibit the shipment of many animals. The United States Postal Services (USPS) prohibits the shipping of mammals, most birds, turtles, and snakes. The United Parcel Service (UPS) does not allow shipments of mammals, birds, or snakes. Other companies have various restrictions and certifications. For example, FedEx requires that you have a Live Reptile Certification in order to ship live reptiles. If a carrier does allow for the shipment of certain live animals, there are stringent policies and laws in place. These include but are not limited to: Containers must meet construction standards; Proper ventilation; Veterinary health certificates and inspections; Use of heat/cold packs during certain weather conditions; International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards; International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) standards; Labeling requirements; Internal packaging requirements; The federal Lacey Act. Not only are all of these regulations already in place, but shipments are required to be done as timely as possible. When reptiles are shipped, they are delivered to the carrier or picked up late in the day and then delivered early the following day. The travel time is always less than 24 hours, and typically closer to 12 hours. Animals also are not shipped during temperature extremes as various thresholds for animal safety are applicable (too hot/too cold). The shipping of live animals is a serious matter, is not unregulated, and is not taken lightly by either the shippers or the carriers. For those who do ship animals, protections and safeguards for those animals are numerous. I hope you oppose and stop A04611. It is a misguided bill attempting to fix a problem that does not exist due to so many protections already existing. A04611 is bad for New York, the residents, and the animals. Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter. Have a good day. Bill Text February 4, 2021 Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting the shipment of certain live animals by postal mail The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new 2 section 382 to read as follows: 3 § 382. Prohibition of the shipping of live animals by postal mail. 1. 4 It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership or corporation to 5 mail or offer for mailing a live animal by postal mail into or within 6 the state of New York or from the state of New York to points outside 7 the state of New York. As used in this section, "live animal" shall 8 mean any mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian. "Postal mail" shall mean 9 mail that is processed and delivered by the United States postal service 10 or other mail carrier. A person, firm, partnership or corporation shall 11 be considered to have mailed or offered for mailing a live animal in 12 violation of this section when such person, firm, partnership or corpo- 13 ration causes such live animal and applicable postage or shipping fee to 14 be physically placed in the possession of the United States postal 15 service or other mail carrier. 16 2. A violation of this section shall be punishable by a civil penalty 17 not to exceed one thousand dollars. Each such violation shall be deemed 18 a separate violation with respect to each animal mailed or offered for 19 mailing. 20 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately Sincerely,