BREAKING: 236,000 jobs added in March
Daily Dose of Democracy:
Tennessee House expels two Black Democrats for gun-control protest
Tennessee Republicans hit a disgusting new low when they voted to expel two young Black Democratic Representatives from the House, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, for "breaking decorum" by joining a protest for gun reforms in the wake of the awful Nashville school shooting that killed three children. Curiously enough, the House chose NOT to expel Rep. Gloria Jones, who happens to be a white woman. This fascistic and unilateral abuse of power is a perfect illustration of the rancid racism that animates the Republican Party, their wholehearted disdain for democracy, and their willingnes to break every rule and every norm to entrench their power and to punish liberals for expressing themselves.
Republicans vowing retaliation for Trump's indictment hit with bad news
The GOP plan to indict liberals like the Clintons and the Bidens as payback for Trump's arrest is NOT going well.
Take Action: Disqualify Trump from holding public office!
Scientists can't be any more clear: we are running out of time
Sunrise Movement: The window to stave off ecological disaster is rapidly closing on us. The Sunrise Movement is ready to take the climate fight to Congress to get legislation passed to protect our future. Can you chip in to support their efforts?
Biden proposes new rules for transgender student athletes that allows for some restrictions, opposes categorical bans
The Biden administration announced a new rule that would oppose categorical bans on trans athletes but would allow for "some limitations." This represents some of the strongest protections for trans athletes to date but also falls short of what many trans activists were hoping for. One thing is sure; Republicans who could not care less about women's sports will be up in arms over the extension of any protections at all for young trans kids.
Take Action: Tell Congress to pass the PRO Act and protect workers' rights!
Supreme Court denies West Virginia’s request to enforce anti-trans sports ban against cross-country and track athlete
Now for some good trans news! The Supreme Court squashed an anti-trans sports ban in West Virginia so that Becky Pepper-Jackson, a 12-year-old transgender girl, can continue to run on her track-and-field team. The only dissenting justices were Alito and Thomas, who reminded everyone that the only people they think deserve rights are the ones who take Clarence Thomas out on superyachts.
Take Action: Pass the Supreme Court Ethics Act!
Son of Rebekah Jones, Florida whistleblower, arrested in probe of "threatening Internet posts"
Florida state police arrested the thirteen-year-old son of Florida COVID-19 whistleblower and took him into custody, claiming that the boy had made "terroristic threats" by sharing ironic memes with his friends, who alerted school authorities. The memes would indicate an intention to shoot up a school. Jones believes the arrest is political intimidation by the DeSantis administration, whom she recently sued for unjustified termination. During the COVID crisis, Jones says she was fired for refusing to manipulate infection data to suit DeSantis' reopening plans.
Manchin furious over latest legal setback to Mountain Valley Pipeline project
One of the poison pills that progressives had to swallow to get Manchin on board with President Biden's historic climate law was agreeing to fast-track one of Manchin's pet pipeline projects. But it looks like we may have our cake and eat it too, since a federal court has once again mothballed the project over concerns that the pipeline’s threats to water quality have not been adequately accounted for. That's just tooooooo bad. So sorry.
Republicans make fatal mistake amid impending Trump indictment
No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen. What a dumb move...
🚨 Brian Tyler Cohen launched a Spanish YouTube channel! The left has a huge problem reaching Spanish speaking audiences, and our vote share among Spanish speakers is actually declining, so please spread the Democrats' message by subscribing to his channel (and watch some videos to get them going in the algorithm) by clicking here.
Black couple says Texas authorities seized their newborn because they chose a midwife over a hospital
The joy of new parents Temecia and Rodney Jackson quickly turned to a dystopian nightmare after their pediatrician called CPS on them because their baby, who was born at home, had developed a mild case of jaundice. Cops came to their home at 5 AM, terrorized the family, arrested Rodney for refusing them entry, broke into their home and then took their child away. They still haven't gotten her back. The deeply entrenched racism in American healthcare that results in a shockingly high Black maternal mortality rate has pushed many Black families to seek midwife services, for which they are then punished by CPS and police for attempting to go outside the system. Just shocking, abhorrent stuff that Republicans will tell you doesn't exist.
Trump makes play for DeSantis donors
In a typically Trumpian move to cut his opponent off at the knees, Trump has reportedly been cold-calling DeSantis donors and working to convince them to jump ship. Trump's indictment has somehow been a windfall for him in the finance department, raising over $12 million since the indictment news broke, but it's clear he sees the Floridian fascist as a clear threat to his candidacy. Let's hope they exhaust themselves fighting each other.
Democrats respond to stunning Clarence Thomas illegal billionaire gift scandal
The shocking ProPublica report about Supreme Court Justice Thomas' right-wing billionaire vacation sugar daddy set off a chorus of outrage and disapproval from Democrats. They managed to run the whole gamut of responses: AOC demanded his impeachment, Bill Pascrell demanded his resignation, Sheldon Whitehouse called for an investigation and Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, who would be in charge of leading an impeachment drive, tepidly called for passing an "enforceable code of conduct." No word from Durbin on impeachment, despite being handed one of the most brazenly corrupt abuses of power by a Supreme Court Justice in modern history.
Iowa turns down $3M federal grant for climate change planning
Nihilistic Republicans are so beholden to their fossil fuel donors that they are turning down millions of dollars in free federal money. Iowa, Florida, Kentucky and South Dakota were the only states who refused this free money — MILLIONS OF DOLLARS — from the government because cleaning the air, creating green jobs and reducing pollution would hurt their backers' bottom lines.
That's a LOT of bad apples
News from abroad
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Today’s Action: Tell Congress to deliver federal LGBTQ+ protections!
Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is at an all-time high as bigots across the country openly advocate for the ostracization and condemnation of one of America’s most vulnerable communities. Transgender people are at the center of the vitriol as state legislations across the country debate their right to exist. It is our duty to protect this community from what is increasingly being labeled as a transgender genocide. It’s disgusting that this type of governing is what we are subjected to in 2023, in what is supposed to be a “free” nation.
The ability to persecute others is not something that makes America “free.” What is important is the ability for all, regardless of identity, to live an equitable life. We have a very long way to go towards achieving that goal. The fact is, conservatives have been scapegoating and persecuting the oppressed for centuries — and doing so under the guise of religious freedom.
Despite Democrats’ best effort to pass the Equality Act last congressional session, our elected officials have yet to deliver wide-reaching protections for LGBTQ+ people. With the onslaught of laws targeting LGBTQ+ freedoms, targeted mass shootings, and the deeply troubling rise in hate crimes, we simply can’t wait any longer to secure protections for our marginalized communities.
We must not allow protections for the LGBTQ+ community, and ESPECIALLY transgender people, to fall by the wayside. Whether by reviving the Equality Act or putting forth new legislation, we must act swiftly. Every second Congress waits puts another person at risk.
PS — Please don't forget to sign the petition to tell Congress to expand abortion coverage and repeal the Hyde Amendment, and be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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