DAGA Download – August 16
August 16, 2019
Here is what happened this week for DAGA and our Democratic Attorneys General:
STANDING UP FOR LEGAL IMMIGRANTS
On Monday, the Trump administration released their long-threatened final rule on “public charge”, targeting immigrants and their families by expanding the list of public benefits that could disqualify recipients from being granted U.S. citizenship. New York AG Tish James quickly announced that she would be taking legal action saying, ”Under this rule, children will go hungry; families will go without medical care. I am committed to defending all of New York’s communities, which is why I intend to sue the Trump Administration over this egregious rule.” On Wednesday, Washington AG Bob Ferguson and Virginia AG Mark Herring led a 13-state coalition in a lawsuit challenging the policy change as well.
Speaker Pelosi was right when she tweeted “This hateful, bigoted rule…It will be swiftly challenged…in the courts.”
SAVE ENDANGERED SPECIES!
The Trump administration released a rule this week weakening the Endangered Species Act by ordering changes that will speed the loss of animals and plants at a time of record global extinctions. Massachusetts AG Maura Healey said, “we will be taking the Administration to court to defend federal law and protect our rare animals, plants, and the environment.” California AG Xavier Becerra added, “by rolling back the Endangered Species Act the Trump Administration would be putting a nail in our coffin – all for the sake of boosting the profits of those putting these species at risk in the first place.” Late last year, AG Becerra led a multi-state comment letter describing the flaws with the proposed rollback. Read more from KPBS article here!
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DOWN WITH TRUMP’s “DIRTY POWER PLAN”
On Tuesday, New York AG Tish James announced a multi-state lawsuit challenging Trump’s “Dirty Power Plan” that would ease restrictions on coal-burning power plants. “Rather than staying the course with policies aimed at fixing the problem and protecting people’s health, safety, and the environment, the Trump Administration repealed the Clean Power Plan and replaced it with this ‘Dirty Power’ rule,” said AG James. “The Clean Air Act requires the E.P.A. to utilize the best system of emissions reduction that it can find. This rule does the opposite,” California AG Xavier Becerrasaid. Read more in The New York Times here!
THE 51st STATE PLAY
51 for 51, an organization focused on D.C. statehood, featured DAGA Co-Chair District of Columbia AG Karl Racine in video release this week.
“[D.C.] residents want to pass laws that reflect their values, and Congress can come in and essentially overrule the will of the people.”
TRUST HER, SHE’S A SOLDIER
DAGA-endorsed candidate in Mississippi, Jennifer Riley Collins, spoke out this week about her background as a soldier and why she is the type of leader Mississippians can trust to protect their communities from senseless gun violence. Watch the short clip here!
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BONUS: 2 BIG ENDORSEMENTS: First, Jennifer Riley Collins was endorsed by the Collective PAC this week. The Collective PAC is the largest consortium of organizations working to increase the political representation of the Black community.
And, Jennifer Riley Collins was endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America. NARAL President Ilyse Hogue said, “Mississippi women and families deserve a strong fighter in their corner, especially in light of unprecedented attacks on reproductive freedom. We are proud to endorse Jennifer Riley Collins’ historic campaign, knowing she will be that fighter.” Read the full endorsement here!
