The following message came from People for the American Way. It urges Senator Feinstein of California to vote NO on Jeff Sessions. While you are at it, urge her to vote NO on the unqualified Betsy DeVos.
Senator Feinstein, who has the immensely important position of ranking Democratic member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been emerging as a real champion in the fight to STOP SESSIONS.
Sen. Feinstein particularly values constituent phone calls, so she needs to hear from Californians now telling her, “thank you and keep up the good work!”
Please call one or more of Sen. Feinstein’s offices now to let her staff know her leadership is not going unnoticed and to help keep the wind in her sails. We NEED her continued leadership in this fight!
Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Offices:
Washington, DC: (202) 224-3841
San Francisco: (415) 393-0707
Los Angeles: (310) 914-7300
San Diego: (619) 231-9712
Fresno: (559) 485-7430
The fight to stop Sessions from being confirmed as Attorney General is THE true test of whether Senate Democrats can band together and FIGHT against Trump’s dangerous and bigoted agenda.
Yesterday, Trump said he’d call for an investigation into voter fraud, likely as a pretext for heightened restrictions on voting and based on his own claims — without any evidence — that millions of people voted illegally in the 2016 election.
He’ll likely instruct the Justice Department to carry out at least part of this witch hunt.
On issues of ethics, racial justice and civil rights, and more, Sessions has NOT been satisfactory or forthcoming in the information he’s provided to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
And as PFAW’s Marge Baker wrote in a Huffington Post piece yesterday:
It’s becoming more and more clear that we could have a president and attorney general who simply do not understand nor care that religious discrimination is at odds with the very fabric of our nation. Sessions was “deeply involved in the extended debate” over Trump’s planned orders. Just as disturbingly, in answers to Senator Coons’ follow-up questions after his confirmation hearings, Sessions failed to rule out mass internment of U.S. citizens and residents based on religious identity. While he acknowledged that the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II was “unjustified,” he would only state that internment shouldn’t happen “without a clear legal basis.” Our Constitution allows for no possible internment based on where people are from, what religion they practice, or any other factor. It’s ominous that the person who could be the next attorney general disagrees.
Tell Sen. Feinstein THANK YOU, and KEEP UP THE FIGHT!
Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Offices:
Washington, DC: (202) 224-3841
San Francisco: (415) 393-0707
Los Angeles: (310) 914-7300
San Diego: (619) 231-9712
Fresno: (559) 485-7430
THANKS!
Ben Betz, PFAW
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Thanks Diane for this rapid response post. Feinstein announced this week that she will probably run for another term. It is imperative for all her California constituents to call her and urge her to refuse Sessions appointment as AG. His history as a bigot is well known. Lines are busy, but everyone should keep redialing all day.
And suggest commenting on her next run for the Senate where she has one of the most important roles as head of the Judiciary Committee.
Just got this from Senator Feinstein….fastest reply on record.
Dear Mrs. Lubic:
Thank you for sharing your concerns about presidential nominees for federal departments and agencies. Your correspondence informs my work in the Senate, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.
Many Californians have expressed their concerns to me about the individuals President Trump has selected to lead federal agencies responsible for enforcing critical laws that protect the environment and public health. Like you, I believe that the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other foundational environmental laws must be duly enforced. I also agree that the federal government should hold those who pollute our land, air, and water accountable for the costs associated with that pollution, not American taxpayers.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I work each year to secure funding for core federal regulatory programs that safeguard American communities, consumers, and the environment from toxic pollutants. I therefore believe that federal regulators must be led by well-qualified appointees with a demonstrated commitment to public service.
The U.S. Constitution requires presidential nominees to secure the “advice and consent of the Senate” during a fair but thorough vetting process. Non-Supreme Court presidential nominees only require a simple majority to be confirmed by the Senate. As the senior United States Senator for California, I promise to scrutinize rigorously any nominee put before the Senate by President Trump. In my view, those who serve the public—especially in senior roles within the federal government—should be held to the highest possible standards for personal ethics and competency.
Furthermore, federal agencies and environmental regulations should be guided by the best available science. I hope that President Trump will nominate individuals who understand the importance of science-based analysis in decision-making and will lead federal agencies with integrity in the best interests of the country. President Trump should avoid nominating individuals with clear personal conflicts of interest or those beholden to special interests. The American people deserve no less.
President Trump nominated state Attorney General Scott Pruitt (R-OK) to serve as the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In his capacity as the elected Attorney General for Oklahoma, Mr. Pruitt has sued the federal government repeatedly in attempts to block EPA regulations under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and other critical environmental laws. Mr. Pruitt has also expressed skepticism toward the overwhelming scientific consensus on man-made climate change. In my view, accepting the science demonstrating man-made climate change is essential for any nominee who aspires to lead a federal environmental agency.
President Trump also nominated Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-MT) to serve as Secretary of the Interior. As you may know, the U.S. Department of the Interior has jurisdiction over many federal land management agencies, including those responsible for making permitting decisions for oil, natural gas, and mining leases on federally owned public land. Our public lands are a sacred trust that must be protected. As such, I believe strongly that any permitting or leasing decision affecting federally managed lands must serve the best interests of the American people.
Please know that I have made note of your concerns about President Trump’s nominees to lead important environmental regulatory and federal land management agencies. During my time in the Senate, I have worked tirelessly to uphold protections that safeguard American communities from toxic pollutants and minimize environmental degradation. I have also worked to preserve California’s pristine natural areas and iconic wildlife for future generations to enjoy. Rest assured that I will keep the issues you raised in mind as the Senate considers President Trump’s nominees.
Again, thank you for taking the time to write. I hope you will continue to keep me informed on issues of importance to you. If you have any additional questions or comments, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841 or visit my website at feinstein.senate.gov. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the nation are available at my website, feinstein.senate.gov. And please visit my YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for more ways to communicate with me.
Repeating this from other post:
I am curious, since I’m not on any of the organizational lists other than BATS and NPE, what kind of messages those you who are members of NEA, AFT, or other education organizations are getting. I checked the Ohio Education Association’s site yesterday and was dismayed at the complexity, wordiness (me, complaining about wordiness!!), and less-than-assertive, not-very-urgent nature of the post. I also didn’t see any mechanism for people to report back so that they could get a picture of what their constituents were doing and finding out.
This is not good. With BATS and NPE I’m a bit more lenient, because I’m sure they don’t have the resources to do so. Wish I could help them more. But if there are not responsive lines of communication between members and the advocacy functions of NEA, AFT, etc., then it is going to be difficult to organize a strong, consistent resistance and build up the forces needed to be successful.
“…religious discrimination is at odds with the very fabric of our nation…”
Now that is a good one! When a Christian group says that homosexuality is wrong, they are accused of hate-speech. When a Christian group says that abortion for any reason is wrong, they are accused of hating women.
Exactly how do you handle these two opposites in your thinking?
IF religious discrimination is wrong, than I should have the freedom to believe that both homosexuality and abortion for ANY reason are wrong, and I should have the same freedom to express that publicly as the LBGTQI and pro-abortion groups have!
But the moment a religious group speaks out, there come the lawsuits etc. So, practice what you preach – pick one or the other. You cannot tell me that “religious discrimination is at odds with the very fabric of our nation” when at the same time you deny me the right to speak out against the above.
Rudy,
You are not in jail, so I think your freedom of speech is intact.
I guess the hypocrisy of the statement escapes you
Rudy
Cut the sarcasm. It is unacceptable here.
The sarcasm is in the double standard that is applied in the statement, Dianne. I am all for religious freedom – and for free speech. To voice my disagreement with certain behaviors is covered by free speech, as is the right of those who defend those same behaviors.
The hypocrisy of the good Senator from California is appalling!
This man is so twisted, Diane…dump him plz.
You can believe whatever you’d like. The problem comes with trying to impose those beliefs on other people’s bodies and rights.
I am not IMPOSING my beliefs on anyone. The LBGTQI community however, forces those who think different to accept THEIR beliefs on people like me. They use the courts, social media etc., make abundant use of the cry of “hate speech.”
I am EXPRESSING my beliefs, just as those in the LBGTQI community do – without shouting “hate speech” every time they ridicule my religious beliefs.
Were I to FORCE my religious beliefs on ANYONE, that make me wrong, end of story. In open discussions, however, when I take a certain point of view which disagrees with LBGTQI, the “hate speech” label is tossed around quickly and freely.
When religious institutions are hauled into court because they expect those who signed a support letter of the beliefs of the employer expect to keep their job when they change their personal conclusions, that takes away the freedom of religion.
I have the freedom to resign, and find a job elsewhere. A Canadian minister, who no longer believes in God, is a professed atheist was “shocked” that the church decided she should find a different job.
People are getting sued the moment they say that they believe homosexuality and abortion are wrong? I’m not familiar with that.
Boggles my mind that any Democrat would need to be urged to vote no on any of Trump’s nominations. This is how we got here in the first place.
I agree…15 Dems traitors have now voted with Repubs on not only these crappy appointments, but also on prime issues such as protecting Pharma and keeping their prices and profits highest in the world for US seniors. Every Dem who votes with Repubs should lose their seat in Congress. Such whores.
Meant Dems who protected big Pharma for gouging US Seniors…so furious at these turncoats
If we have to rely on the likes of Diane Feinstein to stop these people, then forget about it.
Done
SF — mailbox full; D.C. — no answer. Trying the other numbers….