Stop Republican War on Women

I'm writing to follow up on Michael's message about the dangerous attack on women's health and reproductive freedom passed by the House this month. We have the chance to stop H.R. 3 in the Senate, but we need to make sure senators are getting the message loud and clear that Americans oppose the Right's war on women. Nearly 35,000 PFAW members and activists have already joined our emergency petition to the Senate. Can you help us hit 50,000 before the Senate adjourns for the Memorial Day break? 

Please take a moment to add your name to the petition now. 

After you sign, please help us hit our goal by spreading the word to others. 

Thank you for your activism and for standing up for constitutional rights and values. 

-- Ben Betz, Online Strategy Manager 

---

From: Michael Keegan, People For the American Way
To: Ben Betz
Date: May 11, 2011
Re: House Passes Shocking Anti-Woman Bill

Emergency Petition to Stop H.R. 3 If we can't stop it in the Senate, the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" (H.R. 3) will resurrect the failed "Stupak ban" from the health care debate, effectively banning even private coverage of abortion care ... and a tax provision in the bill will could mean that rape and incest survivors who choose abortion care would be audited by the IRS.

Dear Ben,

Extremism has defined the Republican House majority since it took power in January. And chief among their extremist pursuits has been a relentless legislative war on women. They voted to defund Planned Parenthood ... they used the budget compromise to take away access to abortion for women (especially low-income women) in the District of Columbia ... and just last week, they passed one of the most sweeping attacks on choice ever. 

Help stop the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" (H.R. 3) in Senate by signing our emergency petition now. 

We expect that Republicans in the Senate will now try to push this legislation through as an amendment to another bill. 

H.R. 3 does a lot more than its name would imply.

• It resurrects the failed "Stupak ban" from the healthcare debate, effectively banning even private coverage of abortion care, and adds a new tax penalty to ensure that the ban becomes a reality.
  
• It opens up the possibility that rape and incest survivors who choose abortion care could be audited by the IRS.
  
• It makes permanent the current annual ban on federal abortion funding known as the "Hyde Amendment." 
  
• It continues a funding ban for the District of Columbia.
  
• It expands refusal clauses that allow healthcare providers to refuse to provide abortion services. 
  
• Finally, it has been reported that Republicans are trying to reinstate a widely-condemned redefinition of rape through behind-the-scenes procedural tactics.

Senators need to hear from Americans en masse that it's up to them to hold the line. Senate Leadership can't let H.R. 3 be sneaked onto the floor as an amendment and ALL Senators need to know that Americans oppose the House GOP's war on women. 

Sign the petition now. 

Americans want jobs, not extremist attacks on women's fundamental constitutional rights. After you take action, please spread the word. 

Thank you for once again doing your part to speak out in defense of the American Way. 

Sincerely,

Michael Keegan, President 

Wisconsin Update

Wisconsin Republicans know they went too far in their attacks on unions and middle class families -- so they're changing election laws to protect themselves.

With six Republican State Senators facing recall, the right-wing Republican majority forced through a new voter ID law that would disenfranchise students, the poor, and the elderly -- all groups who vote Democratic -- ahead of this summer's elections.

This is just another Republican attack in their war on working families. That's why we're building a people-powered campaign to beat them. We're putting staff on the ground to organize volunteers, knock on doors, make phone calls and run radio and TV ads featuring real Wisconsin families.

Their campaign is fueled by big corporate money. But our campaign is fueled by grassroots volunteers and small contributions from thousands of DFA members. We can't afford to wait any longer to start building our campaign. We need to hit the ground running and we can't do it without you. Please contribute $10 right now to beat back the right-wing attacks on working families.

This Republican attack on their constituents' right to vote is shameful not just because it's wrong, but also because it's so blatant.

They're not only requiring college students to bring a photo ID -- they're requiring them to bring recent tuition receipts if they're using a college ID.

They're not only imposing new residency requirements on voters -- they're also not providing any time or money to local offices to educate voters on the new laws.

Republicans are scared -- that's why they're launching this attack on people's voting rights. They know that they crossed a line and that they're in for a tough fight this summer. Please contribute today and help send a clear message to right-wing Republicans in Wisconsin and across the country -- attack the middle class and you lose.

Thank you for everything you do.
-Kristina Powell, Finance Director
Democracy for America

Democracy for America relies on you and the people-power of more than one million members to fund the grassroots organizing and training that delivers progressive change on the issues that matter. PleaseContribute Today and support our mission.

Paid for by Democracy for America, http://www.democracyforamerica.com/?akid=851.1488413.jlKu8z&t=3 and not authorized by any candidate. Contributions to Democracy for America are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Idaho Senators Vote for Big Oil

Sen. Mike Crapo and Sen. James Risch took lots of oil money. And then voted to let Big Oil keep taking our money.

Clicking here will add your name to this petition to your Senator: You should be ashamed of your vote to protect Big Oil's tax breaks at the expense of American taxpayers. You've accepted an astonishing amount of campaign money from oil companies. I urge you to stop putting oil profits and campaign contributions ahead of the American people.

This past week, 48 Senators, including Sen. Mike Crapo and Sen. James Risch, put Big Oil before the American people and helped defeat a bill that would have ended tax breaks for the five biggest oil companies.¹

How could anyone vote against a bill that would have kept $21 billion of American taxpayers' money out of the pockets of cash-rich oil companies?

One big reason is oil money in our political process. A lot of it. Oil and gas companies spent $39.5 million lobbying congress in just the first quarter of this year,² and have donated tens of millions of dollars directly to the political campaigns of current Senators, including $157,239 to Sen. Mike Crapo and $83,050 to Sen. James Risch.³

Tell Sen. Mike Crapo and Sen. James Risch: Stop putting oil company profits and campaign contributions ahead of the American people. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

In all, three Democrats joined all but two Senate Republicans to protect Big Oil tax breaks that even a former Shell CEO said weren't needed.⁴

But make no mistake. Even though we didn't get the 60 votes required for passage, our pressure to end oil subsidies is already working. More and more legislators are acting defensive about their support of Big Oil over the American people.

In February, similar legislation to repeal some oil subsidies got only 44 votes. This time, we got 52 votes. That comes after CREDO Action members sent more than 225,000 petitions to the Senate and made more than 1,000 calls to 11 key Senators, six of whom flipped their position and voted to end tax breaks to Big Oil.

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said that despite this defeat, he will continue to push for ending oil subsides as part of negotiations on the budget and to raise the debt ceiling.⁵

We need to keep the pressure on. And one key to breaking Big Oil's grasp on our legislators is letting Congress know that we know about the millions of dollars that Big Oil has given them — including the $157,239 to Sen. Mike Crapo and $83,050 to Sen. James Risch.

Let's make sure that voting to protect oil company profits doesn't go unanswered by those of us who actually pay the price.

Tell Sen. Mike Crapo and Sen. James Risch: Stop putting oil company profits and campaign contributions ahead of the American people. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

Thank you for taking action.

Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets

P.S. — Want to find out more about the Big Oil money going to our elected officials? Our friends at the Dirty Energy Money campaign have the scoop. Click here to see how much dirty energy money your Senators and other elected officials have taken.

1. "Senate GOP Votes Down Bill To End Big Oil Subsidies," Huffington Post, May 17, 2011
2. "Senators Opposing End of Oil Subsidies Received Five Times More in Big Oil Campaign Cash," Oil Change International, May 17, 2011
3. Dirty Energy Money campaign data
4. "Ex-Shell CEO Says Big Oil Can Live Without Subsidies ," National Journal, February 11, 2011
5. "Senate rejects bill to cut oil tax breaks," The Hill, May 17, 2011

dSen. James Rischaccountable for the vote against ending oil subsidies

DFA Night School: Recruiting Good Candidates

Nothing is more frustrating than working your heart out for a bad candidate, just because they're a Democrat.

All across the country I've heard people complain that they don't have enough local candidates that share our progressive values. The problem isn't that good candidates don't exist - the problem is that you haven't recruited them...yet. 

Starting next week DFA is going to give you the skills to recruit and prepare local progressives to run for office - all you have to do is sign up!

Register for the Spring Semester of DFA Night School!

This semester of Night School will tackle the question of 'Getting a Campaign Off the Ground'. Every Wednesday for the next three weeks we'll provide an interactive online training for grassroots progressives that will help us identify and prepare the best progressive candidates for the 2012 elections.

Recruiting Candidates
Wednesday May 25th - 8:30pm Eastern

How to Launch Your Campaign
Wednesday June 1st - 8:30pm Eastern

Start up Fundraising - Budgeting
Wednesday June 8th - 8:30pm Eastern

Sign up for all three of these free interactive trainings here. 

If we want to have great Democratic candidates to work for in 2012, then we need to get to work right now. Register for DFA Night School today and learn how to get a local progressive campaign off the ground in your community.

-Matt Blizek, Field Director
Democracy for America

Democracy for America relies on you and the people-power of more than one million members to fund the grassroots organizing and training that delivers progressive change on the issues that matter. PleaseContribute Today and support our mission.

No Blank Check for Endless War

Clicking here will add your name to this petition to Congress: "Of all of the powers that Article I of the Constitution assigns to Congress, no power is more fundamental or important than the power to declare war. It was bad enough that George W. Bush dragged us into a disastrous war in Iraq when he was president. But what if he'd had sweeping powers during his administration to make war anywhere in the world without the consent of Congress? It's what Dick Cheney dreamed of, and it's on the verge of becoming an all-too-real nightmare. Congress will soon vote on a "sleeper provision" hidden inside defense legislation currently pending before Congress. If passed it would be what the ACLU describes as "the single biggest grant of unchecked war authority from Congress to the executive branch in modern American history." In the Senate this legislation is being advanced by Sen. John McCain and in the House by Rep. Buck McKeon.  The proposed legislation would allow the president to use military force anywhere in the world where terrorism suspects are purported to be present, even if no U.S. citizen has been harmed, the United States has not been attacked or is not under threat of attack. The legislation would even allow the president to use military force within the U.S. against American citizens. These are not provisions sought by President Obama who has made it clear that the executive branch already has the tools it needs to fight terrorism at home and abroad. Tell Congress: Don't give unchecked power to wage war without end to future presidents, or the right to use the military against citizens on American soil. Clicking here will automatically sign your name to our petition. The power to declare war is clearly assigned to Congress in the Constitution. Even during the rush to war back in 2002, Congress held fifteen hearings, and passed legislation that cited specific harms, set limits, and defined an objective, before authorizing war. If Congress expands the president's power to wage war without checks from the legislative branch, it will be nearly impossible to rein it back in. No president — current or future — should have the right to wage war with no mechanism other than the ballot box to ensure accountability. After the September 11th attacks, Congress launched a rollback of our civil liberties that is still largely intact despite the election of a new president. Authoritarian powers once given over are much harder to take back. That's why we must soundly defeat this legislation before it ever has the chance of going into effect. Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets P.S. CREDO Action joined the ACLU and a coalition of civil rights and anti-war groups in sending a letter opposing this legislation to the members of the House Committee on Armed Services. You can read that letter by clicking here.

Republicans Block Liu Appointment

Imagine senators of one party filibustering a judicial nominee who has been hailed as one of his generation’s great legal minds by legal experts of both parties and across the ideological spectrum on the grounds that he is *too* qualified. 

Well that's exactly what happened. 

In what could be the most egregious example of the GOP’s partisan obstruction of judicial nominations to date, Senate Republicans today blocked Goodwin Liu from receiving an up or down vote. Liu, a law professor and dean at U.C. Berkeley who as a nominee has the American Bar Association’s highest rating, was nominated for a seat on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals by President Obama over a year ago, and has since been approved by the Judiciary Committeethree times. 

His credentials and grasp of the law and Constitution are impeccable. Liu’s only mistake: being too qualified. 

At age 40, his confirmation to the 9th Circuit could put him in position to be the first Asian American Supreme Court nominee. Because of his intellectual heft, his commitment to Americans’ constitutional rights and his commonsense understanding of how the law impacts people’s lives, the prospect of Liu’s future elevation, and even his influence on a Circuit Court of Appeals, terrifies corporate special interests and right-wing ideologues ... the same people calling the shots with Republican senators. 

Shame on them. The concocted justifications Republican senators used in their opposition to Liu were based on unbelievable distortions of his record by Radical Right activist groups, as well as Liu’s testimony in opposition to Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s confirmation. They rested their opposition on lies because they know that a Liu filibuster makes a mockery of the supposed agreement between parties to employ a filibuster only in “extraordinary circumstances.” Everything about Goodwin Liu’s record and the breadth of his support indicates a legal expert squarely in the mainstream -- the only thing “extraordinary” about him is how good he is, and how deserving he was of confirmation. 

Every GOP senator except Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski participated in the filibuster. If one or both of your U.S. senators are Republicans, CALL them right now and let them hear it. Tell them, “shame on you for filibustering Goodwin Liu,” and let them know that you will be working hard to hold them accountable in their state. 

Make sure you SIGN our “Stop the Obstruction” petition to the Senate and let senators of both parties know that the continued obstruction of the president’s nominees is hurting our country and will not be tolerated. 

We need Republicans to feel the pressure about their judicial obstructions just like they are feeling it about their attacks on Medicare. And Democratic leaders in the Senate need to know that they must be using every tool in their arsenal to combat this obstruction. 

Demand an end to the obstruction. And tell others to do the same. 

I hope you’re as outraged as we are. And I hope you channel that outrage into activism. Thank you for all you do! 

Sincerely,

Michael Keegan, President

P.S. We hope that Goodwin Liu will be renominated and that he will be willing to continue this fight. We have not given up on ultimately confirming this stellar nominee.

Urge Orbitz to Drop Fox

Orbitz prides itself on its outreach to the
LGBT community -- so why does it also put its brand and its dollars behind a major source of anti-gay misinformation?
Orbitz's outreach to the LGBT community has been laudable, but it's putting that hard work at risk through their decision to be a sponsor of Fox News. Orbitz's support for Fox News programming represents an investment in misinformation and smears aimed at the LGBT community and the issues that matter to them. On these issues, our analysis shows that Fox isn't a "fair and balanced" news source -- it's pushing a political agenda hostile to LGBT people. Fox News perpetuates a destructive anti-gay message that Orbitz shouldn't lend its support to.

Here are a few examples of Fox News acting in clear opposition to the best interest of the LGBT community:

• Fox News gave Mike Huckabee his own show despite a history of comparing homosexuality to drug abuse, incest, pedophilia, and necrophilia. Huckabee has repeatedly used his Fox platform to campaign against gay marriage, even insultingly suggesting that marriage equality poses a threat to stable society.
• Fox host Bill O' Reilly has used his popular and prime time show to warn against the supposed dangers of allowing gay people near children, to assert that same-sex marriage could lead to nuptials with turtles, ducks or dolphins, and to baselessly claim that implementing a hate crimes bill could protect pedophiles.
• Fox News repeatedly perpetuated lies that repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell would impact troop readiness and morale, despite multiple reports -- including the Pentagon's -- to the contrary.
These actions and others by Fox News are hurtful not just to the LGBT community, but to their friends and families and to the cause of equal rights for everyone. They also undermine Orbitz's efforts to support and reach out to LGBT customers.
Join us at Drop Fox and tell Orbitz to rethink its decision to support Fox.
Thanks for your support.
Ilyse Hogue Media Matters for America

Coburn's Cover-Up?

Send a letter: release the findings on Coburn!

We deserve to know: did so-called "family values" Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) break the law by aiding in covering up former Senator Ensign's sex scandal?

Tell the Senate Ethics Committee to release its findings on Coburn's involvement now.

The Senate Ethics Committee found "substantial and credible evidence" that Senator Ensign violated Senate rules and federal law including sexual harassment and sex discrimination laws in the cover-up of a sexual affair he had with an employee.

The shocking Ethics Committee report on Ensign that was just released makes significant references to Coburn's actions in the scandal and raises many questions regarding whether Coburn has also violated Senate ethics, rules and federal law. The public is entitled to know whether Coburn, a sitting senator, broke the law in aiding Ensign in his attempts to cover up the affair.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), which filed the original complaint against Senator Ensign in 2009 also filed a complaint against Coburn in October 2009. We want the Senate Ethics Committee to release its findings on the role of Senator Coburn on whether Coburn violated the lobbying ban by aiding and abetting the husband (also an Ensign employee) of the employee with whom Ensign had the affair for hush money. Did Coburn contact Ensign's father, who allegedly paid hush money to the former employees?

What was Coburn's full role in the scandal? Is there clear, substantial and credible evidence that he broke the rules of the law? Did he get immunity for providing information on the scandal?

Tell the Senate Committee on Ethics to release its report on the complaint filed against Senator Coburn.

Both Ensign and Coburn are self-professed "family values" men and the pair both lived at the infamous C Street house. Both have a long history of voting against family planning, abortion access, and for other anti-woman legislation.

Email Senate Select Committee Chair Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ranking Member Johnny Isakson (R-GA) now and and tell them that the findings regarding the complaint against Senator Coburn must be disclosed.

For Equality and Justice,

Eleanor Smeal President Feminist Majority		Norma Gattsek Government Relations Director Feminist Majority

1600 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 801, Arlington, VA 22209 | 703.522.2214 |femmaj@feminist.org

What Are Google & Facebook Hiding?

A message from MoveOn.org:

MoveOn wouldn't be possible without the open Internet. But according to our own Eli Pariser, the Internet itself is changing. His book on the topic, The Filter Bubble, comes out this week.

In March, the TED conference invited him to preview the argument. 

Click here to see the talk

When I talked to Eli beforehand, he was really nervous—in the audience were top executives from Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and a number of other companies he critiques. But his call for an open, ethical Internet—he actually called out the Google founders and Bill Gates in the audience by name—got a standing ovation. And it's been burning up the TED website ever since.

We're sharing it today because we think it's a really important point. Increasingly, the Internet is hiding things from us, and we don't even know it. Take a moment to watch Eli's TED talk today. 

The Filter Bubble, Eli's book, has been getting good reviews, too. Here's a particularly good one from author and 350.org organizer Bill McKibben:

 

"You spend half your life in Internet space, but trust me—you don't understand how it works. Eli Pariser's book is a masterpiece of both investigation and interpretation; he exposes the way we're sent down particular information tunnels, and he explains how we might once again find ourselves in a broad public square of ideas. This couldn't be a more interesting book; it casts an illuminating light on so many of our daily encounters."

 

If you're interested in the book, you can check it out by clicking on the image to the left or this link—all of Eli's profits from this email will go to MoveOn.org Civic Action.

It's not a given that the Internet will remain fertile ground for democracy. We need to make sure it does, and Eli's argument is an important part of that fight.

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel and the MoveOn.org Civic Action Team

Message from Barbara Boxer

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, we knew our country was under attack. United like never before, we also knew that one day there would be justice for this terror.

Two weeks ago, justice was finally delivered -- by brave members of the U.S. armed forces and intelligence personnel who, at the direction of President Obama, hunted down Osama bin Laden.

Of course, bin Laden was not found on a battlefield. He was ultimately brought down thanks to a sophisticated tracking effort conducted by our intelligence community. Other terrorists will likely be found in the same way: through targeted and thorough counterterrorism efforts, not by 100,000 ground forces in Afghanistan.

That is why I support President Obama's plan to begin withdrawing American combat forces from Afghanistan this July, and why I have authored legislation requiring an end date for that effort.

It's time to pass this important legislation. Please stand with my friends at Democracy for America, many of my Senate colleagues, and me by becoming a citizen co-sponsor right now.
Sign on as a citizen co-sponsor of the Safe and Responsible Redeployment of U.S. Combat Forces from Afghanistan Act -- and help show strong grassroots support for bringing an end to the Afghanistan war now.

Three days after 9/11, my Senate colleagues and I voted unanimously to authorize the president to use all necessary and appropriate force against those who attacked us. Now, after delivering justice to Osama bin Laden, it’s time to bring that mission to a close.

Over the past 10 years, we have lost 1,564 heroic American service members in Afghanistan. Another 11,657 have been wounded, many grievously. At the same time, we have spent nearly half a trillion dollars on the war in Afghanistan even while facing a fiscal crisis here at home.

Our brave men and women in uniform have performed admirably. Now it's time to bring them home, while transferring responsibility to the Afghan government and military. We have trained 150,000 members of the Afghan Army and 120,000 members of the Afghan Police. It is now up to them.

Our military men and women cannot continue to police every town and village in Afghanistan. But what we can do is continue to provide advice as Afghans take responsibility for their defense and continue our effective, targeted counterterrorism effort. 


While Osama bin Laden's death does not lessen the tragic loss of thousands of victims or the pain of their loved ones, it has dealt a significant blow to al-Qaida and sent a strong message to those who would harm us: The United States will pursue justice for as long as it takes.

Now, justice has been done, and the time has come to leave. Working together, we will end the war in Afghanistan.
Thank you for standing with us in this important effort.

In Friendship,
Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator

Democracy for America relies on you and the people-power of more than one million members to fund the grassroots organizing and training that delivers progressive change on the issues that matter. Please Contribute Today and support our mission.

FCC Commissioner's Conflict of Interest

It's official. Corporations have taken over key institutions of government. The latest outrage involves the Federal Communications Commission. Republican FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker is leaving the FCC to become a lobbyist for Comcast/NBC Universal — just four months after she voted to approve the controversial merger of the two media behemoths.

Demand Congress investigate FCC Commissioner Baker's conflict of interest. Click here and your name will be automatically added to our petition.

The Comcast/NBC Universal merger isn't the only issue she was able to impact during her time with the FCC. She was also an ardent and vocal foe of net neutrality. In fact, she even opposed the weak, loophole-ridden net neutrality rules passed by the FCC in December. For her, even net neutrality in name only went too far.

Baker's move to Comcast/NBC is just the latest — but perhaps most blatant — example of so-called "public servants" cashing in on companies they are supposed to be regulating. But Baker's jump to Comcast is particularly egregious. As recently as March, the commissioner was giving speeches complaining that the Comcast-NBC deal "took too long."

Important questions need to be asked. Was she negotiating her new position with Comcast/NBC Universal even while the merger was being considered by the FCC? Or Net Neutrality?

Congress is already concerned about how the FCC conducts itself. Rep. Darrell Issa, chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has been making a lot of noise recently about alleged ethical violations at the agency.

And in the Senate, Sen. Carl Levin chairs the Judiciary Committee, which held some jurisdiction over the Comcast-NBC merger.

By signing this petition to Congressman Issa and Senator Levin, you're urging them to launch an investigation of Commissioner Baker's seemingly blatant conflict of interest.

Outside of Washington, people of every political stripe have expressed near unanimous contempt for a system of government that favors powerful corporations at the expense of the many. Sadly, the complete capture of government by industry barely raises an eyebrow in Washington, DC, anymore. That's why Congress needs to hear from us now and we need to speak with a loud voice.

We're joining our allies at Free Press to shine a bright light on the revolving door at the FCC which erodes any prospect for common-sense public policy — such as strong Net Neutrality rules or a rigorous review of mega-deals like AT&T's proposed takeover of T-Mobile.

A corporate media unchecked is a threat to democracy. Thank you for joining us in taking action.

Matt Lockshin, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets

1. 'Regulator to Join Comcast After OK of NBC Deal', Associated Press,

End Oil Subsidies

As Americans continue to struggle with outrageous, unstable gas prices, big oil continues to benefit from them. The five biggest oil companies reported a massive $30 billion in first-quarter profits this year, a 38% increase from last year.¹

Despite these astronomical profits, House Republicans voted unanimously earlier this month to block consideration of a Democratic proposal to end some of the tax breaks and subsidies we give to big oil every year.

It's outrageous that our government continues to reward these oil giants with an additional $4 billion a year of our money in tax credits and subsidies. But pressure is building to finally end these big oil handouts.

74% of American's oppose these oil subsidies,² and more than 220,000 people have signed our petition asking congress to end them. Please add your voice now, and keep the pressure building.

Tell Congress: End oil subsidies.

It is a testament to the influence of polluters, and the power of the money they shower upon congress, that so many of our leaders have continued to defend these senseless subsidies.

As recently as this March, House Republicans — while simultaneously pleading poverty and fighting for crippling budget cuts elsewhere — voted unanimously against repealing these oil subsidies, at a total cost to us of $45 billion over 10 years.

But in the face of these huge budget cuts, painful gas prices and shocking oil company profits, it is becoming harder and harder for Republicans to defend this policy.

In a surprising move, Speaker John Boehner said recently that repealing oil subsidies "is certainly something we ought to be looking at" and that oil companies "ought to be paying their fair share."³ While his statement was quickly walked back the next day by an aide,⁴ it's clear that cracks are beginning to show in the Republicans' brazen defense of senseless oil handouts. Indeed, five House Republicans have now said they would support eliminating these subsidies.⁵

Hose and Senate Democrats have both unveiled proposals to repeal oil subsidies, a vote could come in the Senate as soon as Wednesday.

Momentum is building. This is a key moment to keep the pressure on, and force every member of congress to choose: Americans, or the oil companies?

Tell Congress: End oil subsidies.

Between the ruining of our gulf, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events brought on by climate change, and now — once again — astronomical oil company profits and oil prices that literally threaten our economy, we don't need any more reminders that it's time to end our reliance on oil.

Yet we're handing oil companies billions as we slash funding for the investments in clean energy and transit we need to break oil's grip on our lives.

This must end. And if we raise our voices, we can finally end it.

Thank you for taking action.

Elijah Zarlin, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets

1. "The Showdown Over Big Oil," Think Progress, May 5, 2011
2. "Wall Street Journal/NBC News Poll," March 2, 2011
3. "Boehner opens door to ending tax breaks for big oil companies," The Hill, April 25, 2011
4. "Boehner aide: Tax comments were to avoid 'trap' of defending 'Big Oil'," The Hill, April 26, 2011
5. "The Showdown Over Big Oil," Think Progress, May 5, 2011

Build Support for Your Cause

A message from MoveOn.org:

Ever heard Margaret Mead's famous saying? "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

That's the story of MoveOn. In 1998, when a Republican Congress was focusing all its efforts on impeaching President Clinton, two people with no political experience started a simple online petition: "Censure President Clinton and Move On to Pressing Issues Facing the Nation."

They shared their petition with their friends, and within days they had hundreds of thousands of signatures. Today, MoveOn has over 5 million members—mostly folks who got involved by signing an online petition, and have stayed active in helping to fight for a progressive America.

That's why we've just launched a new website where you can start your own online petition and invite your friends to sign it. We'll send the most popular petitions to other MoveOn members to help build support for your cause.

It's easy to get started—just click here:

http://www.signon.org/create_start.html?id=27431-18623853-85_SdRx&t=1

Thanks!

–Anna, Julia, Michael, Wes, and the rest of the team