Produced by Coconino County Democratic Party and Democrats of the Red Rocks
THIS WEEK’S ALERTS:
- Ban members of Congress from trading stocks to decrease potential conflicts of interest.
- Urge President Biden to declare a climate emergency and push our elected representatives to support that executive action.
- Encourage the Bureau of Land Management to extend protections for the cultural heritage of Chaco Canyon – deadline May 6, 2022.
A. Push Senator Sinema to support legislation banning members of Congress from trading stocks. Both Senator Mark Kelly and Representative Tom O’Halleran have called for legislation to prevent members of Congress from benefiting from their privileged access to information by removing their ability to trade or directly own individual stocks. Senator Sinema, on the other hand, does not hesitate to collaborate with corporate lobbyists and engage in what appears to be self-serving collaboration with big corporations, even as she boasts on social media about being on the side of “everyday Arizonans.”
Sample voice message or email to Senator Sinema: “My name is xxxx, and I am a voter and constituent in XXXX, Arizona. I’ve been very happy to see that both Representative O’Halleran and Senator Mark Kelly support prohibiting Members of Congress from owning or at least trading individual stocks, as major steps toward assuring the public that our elected representatives aren’t lining their own pockets while in office. I know you frequently post on social media about your dedication to helping everyday Arizonans – but frankly your meetings with corporate lobbyists leave us everyday citizens more than a little skeptical. I know that several bills dealing with this issue have been introduced in both House and Senate. Please work with your colleagues to construct appropriate legislation that will prevent elected Members from using privileged information to benefit personally, at the expense of everyday taxpayers. Your leadership on this topic would go a long way toward reassuring us that you truly have the interests of everyday citizens at heart.”
Sen. Sinema: Call (202) 224-4521 (DC) or (602) 598-7327. Email via her website at “http://www.sinema.senate.gov” Tag the Senator at @senatorsinema .
B. Work toward President Biden using executive action to declare a climate emergency. Indivisible leaders and groups around the nation have been encouraging President Biden to use his power of executive action boldly, to make progress on important issues that will benefit all Americans despite an obstructive Senate holding his legislative proposals hostage. While the President has proposed numerous important climate actions (from jobs and technology development in the Build Back Better Act to invoking the Defense Production Act to accelerate production of minerals for electric vehicle batteries), most have been forestalled by lack of legislative progress. A presidential declaration of a climate emergency would have the same benefits of stirring agency action and building positive public attention as his executive actions on child care, pandemic relief, and student loan debt relief. Encouragement from our elected representatives is important in pushing the President to act.
Sample voice message or email to Sinema, Kelly, O’Halleran: “My name is xxxx, and I’m a voter and constituent in XXXX, Arizona. Climate change is an over-arching threat to all of us, from the shortfalls in the Colorado River to health impacts of extreme heat and much more. You’ve expressed support for various climate change mitigation actions in the past – but as recent scientific reports attest, much more urgent action is needed. Please call President Biden and ask him to declare a National Climate Emergency, and to expand use of the Defense Production Act. I know he’s already used that Act to support mineral production for electric vehicle batteries – but we need heat pumps, energy infrastructure, and so much more – right now! Declaring a National Climate Emergency would be huge, both as a symbolic gesture and to really accelerate climate action. Do call the President to urge him to expand use the Defense Production Act to address the climate emergency, and do make your support for this step public.”
Sen. Sinema: Call (202) 224-4521 (DC) or (602) 598-7327. Email via her website at “http://www.sinema.senate.gov” Tag the Senator at @senatorsinema.
Sen. Mark Kelly: Call (202) 224-2235 (DC), Email via his website at http://www.kelly.senate.gov Tag the Senator at @senmarkkelly.
Rep. Tom O’Halleran: Call (202) 225-3361 (DC) or email via website at https://ohalleran.house.gov/contact Tag the Congressman @RepOHalleran
Of course, you can contact President Biden directly to encourage the same action!
Contact President Biden via email here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
C. Encourage the US Bureau of Land Management to extend protections for the cultural heritage of Chaco Canyon. The BLM has proposed to withdraw approximately 350,000 acres surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park (BLM lands in a 10-mile radius around the park) from oil and gas development for the next 20 years. While there are individual tribal members whose lease royalties would be affected, tribal and Pueblo governments in the region have worked for years to increase protection for the landscape containing unparalleled remnants of the rich ancient culture to which today’s indigenous people are connected. And the vicinity of the Park is also a vital corridor for wildlife in the region. Finally, a pause on oil and gas development is an important step toward climate action.
The BLM is accepting public comment through May 6, 2022, on this proposed mineral withdrawal. Much more information, including feedback from public meetings held in the vicinity, can be found at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2016892/510 . Public comment can be submitted through the “Participate Now” button on that site, or by sending email comments to this email address:
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Sample comment or email to the BLM:
My name is XXX and I live and vote in XXXXX, Arizona. I’m a long-time resident of the American southwest, and I believe we can and should do much more to protect the rich cultural heritage of Native American tribes and pueblos in our region. I’m writing to express my strong support for your proposal to protect the immediate vicinity of Chaco Canyon National Historical Park by withdrawing more than 350,000 acres from mineral/oil/gas development. Protection for important sacred, religious, and historical features is crucial. Moreover, I know this part of New Mexico serves as a valuable wildlife corridor and habitat. And finally – we have more oil and gas development going on currently than our future climate can safely handle; there’s no justification for continuing fossil fuel development in this irreplaceable landscape and cultural setting. In sum, I fully support the proposed 20-year mineral withdrawal around Chaco Canyon National Historical Park.”
Sen. Sinema: Call (202) 224-4521 (DC) or (602) 598-7327. Email via her website at “http://www.sinema.senate.gov” Tag the Senator at @senatorsinema.
Sen. Kelly: Call (202) 224-2235 (DC). Email via website at Home » Senator Mark Kelly (senate.gov) Tag the Senator @SenMarkKelly