December 1, 2017: Dignity and Respect in Congress is a Scam Targeting You
1. “Pelosi Statement on Congressman Conyers’ Decision to Step Aside as Judiciary Committee Ranking Member.” Nancy Pelosi. November 26, 2017. https://www.democraticleader.gov/newsroom/112617-2/, retrieved November 29, 2017.
2. “Pelosi Statement on Amicus Brief in English v. Trump” Nancy Pelosi November 27, 2017. https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-statement-on-amicus-brief-in-english-v-trump, retrieved November 30, 2017.
3. “Same Old Tax Scam” Nancy Pelosi. [No date] https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/view_newsletter.aspx?id=100847&c=CA12NP, retrieved November 30, 2017.
4. “Chairman Crowley on the Republican Attempt to Force a National Concealed Carry Law on Americans.” The House Democrats. November 29, 2017. http://www.dems.gov/chairman-crowley-republican-attempt-force-national-concealed-carry-law-americans/, retrieved November 30, 2017.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
December 3, 2017: Graham Durbin Dream Bill Unacceptable After Steinle Verdict
1. “Durbin Calls On Congress To Pass The Dream Act By The End Of The Year.” Dick Durbin. November 29, 2017. https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-calls-on-congress-to-pass-the-dream-act-by-the-end-of-the-year, retrieved December 3, 2017.
2. “S.1615 – Dream Act of 2017.” Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1615/cosponsors, retrieved December 3, 2017.
3. “Graham Opposes DREAM Act.” Lindsey Graham. December 9, 2010. https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=CC324C5D-802A-23AD-4691-11F79B04F524, retrieved December 3, 2017.
4. “S.1615 – Dream Act of 2017.” Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1615/text, retrieved December 3, 2017.
5. “ICE-led gang surge nets 1,378 arrests nationwide.” ICE.gov. May 11, 2017. https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-led-gang-surge-nets-1378-arrests-nationwide, retrieved December 3, 2017.
Image: “ICE-led gang surge nets 1,378 arrests nationwide.” ICE.gov. May 11, 2017. https://www.ice.gov/download/file/fid/17646, retrieved December 3, 2017.
December 7, 2017: Technology for Border Surveillance Solves Wrong Problem
1. “Thompson: DHS Border Numbers Show No Need for Wall.” Bennie G. Thompson. December 5, 2017. https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thompson-dhs-border-numbers-show-no-need-wall, retrieved December 6, 2017.
2. Ibid.
3. “DHS Announces Progress in Enforcing Immigration Laws, Protecting Americans.” Homeland Security. December 5, 2017. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/12/05/dhs-announces-progress-enforcing-immigration-laws-protecting-americans, retrieved December 6, 2017.
4. “SOUTHWEST BORDER SECURITY. Border Patrol is Deploying Surveillance Technologies but Needs to Improve Data Quality and Effectiveness.” Statement by Rebecca Gambler, Director, Homeland Security and Justice. November 2017. p. 16-18. http://www.gao.gov/assets/690/688666.pdf,
retrieved December 5, 2017.
5. Ibid., p. 34.
6. “DHS Announces Progress in Enforcing Immigration Laws, Protecting Americans.” Homeland Security. December 5, 2017. Op. cit.
7. Ibid.
Photo retrieved from Blum, Eric. “Further Reflection. Surveillance technology boosts border security in Arizona.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection. https://www.cbp.gov/frontline/frontline-june-az-technology, retrieved December 7, 2017.
December 11, 2017: Civil Rights Leaders Threatened by Success, Helped by Trump
1. “Reps. John Lewis and Bennie G. Thompson Joint Statement on Not Attending Opening of Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.” John Lewis. December 7, 2017. https://johnlewis.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-john-lewis-and-bennie-g-thompson-joint-statement-not-attending, retrieved December 10, 2017.
2. “Rep. Bass Calls Trump Appearance at Civil Rights Museum Insulting and Ironic.” Karen Bass. December 9, 2017. https://bass.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-bass-calls-trump-appearance-civil-rights-museum-insulting-and-ironic, retrieved December 10, 2017.
3. “Statement from CBC Chairman on Meeting with Conyers.” Congressional Black Caucus. November 28, 2017. https://cbc.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=809, retrieved December 11, 2017.
4. “CBC Chairman Statement on White House Criticism of Reps. Lewis, Thompson.”
Congressional Black Caucus. December 7, 2017. https://cbc.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=812, retrieved December 10, 2017.
5. “Progress of the African-American Community During the Obama Administration.” The White House. President Barack Obama. October 14, 2016. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/10/14/progress-african-american-community-during-obama-administration, retrieved December 10, 2017.
6. Ibid.
7. “CBC Statement on Trump Immigration Principles.” Congressional Black Caucus. October 12, 2017. https://cbc.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=775, retrieved December 11, 2017.
Photo: “Rainbow Forest Museum mount exhibit.” National Park Service. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/photogallery/imr/park/pefo/D2EF1785-1DD8-B71B-0B7DC5F4559B6FEE/D2EF1785-1DD8-B71B-0B7DC5F4559B6FEE-large.jpg on December 11, 2017.
December 14, 2017: Hateful is the Democratic Buzzword for 2017
1. “Rep. Chu Statement on Resignations of Members of President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.” Judy Chu. February 16, 2017. https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-statement-resignations-members-president-s-advisory-commission, December 13, 2017.
2. “Rep. Chu Statement Commemorating the Start of Ramadan.” Judy Chu. May 26, 2017. https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-statement-commemorating-start-ramadan, December 13, 2017.
3. “Rep. Chu Statement on DACA and DAPA.” Judy Chu. June 16, 2017. https://chu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-chu-statement-daca-and-dapa, retrieved December 13, 2017.
4. “Congresswoman Speier Responds to President Trump’s Online Attacks Against Transgender Military Service Members.” Jacki Speier. July 26, 2017. https://speier.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-speier-responds-president-trump-s-online-attacks-against, retrieved December 13, 2017.
5. “Chairman Crowley Statement on Pentagon’s Decision to Allow Transgender Individuals to Serve in the Military.” The House Democrats. December 11, 2017. http://www.dems.gov/chairman-crowley-statement-pentagons-decision-allow-transgender-individuals-serve-military/, retrieved December 11, 2017.
6. “Jayapal, Crowley Introduce Resolution Urging Department of Justice to Investigate Recent Attacks as Hate Crimes.” Pramila Jayapal. March 10, 2017. https://jayapal.house.gov/media/press-releases/jayapal-crowley-introduce-resolution-urging-department-justice-investigate, retrieved December 13, 2017.
7. “Pelosi Remarks at Press Conference Responding to President Trump’s Ban on Transgender Americans in the Military.” Nancy Pelosi. July 26, 2017. https://www.democraticleader.gov/newsroom/72617-6/#, retrieved December 13, 2017.
8. “Feinstein: Trump Immigration Policy Has Failed.” Dianne Feinstein. August 16, 2017. https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=0B390C1D-B056-4F24-B413-5498167387E5, retrieved December 13, 2017.
9. “Congresswoman Barbara Lee Demands President Trump Reverse Hateful Anti-Refugee, Anti-Immigrant Executive Orders.” Barbara Lee. January 30, 2017. https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-demands-president-trump-reverse-hateful-anti-refugee-anti-immigrant-executive-orders, retrieved December 13, 2017.
10. “Congressman Adriano Espaillat Demands President Trump Reserve Hateful Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Refugee Executive Orders.” Adriano Espaillat. January 30, 2017. https://espaillat.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-adriano-espaillat-demands-president-trump-reverse-hateful-anti, retrieved December 13, 2017.
11. “Remarks by President Trump and President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority in Joint Statements.” The White House. May 23, 2017. https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/23/remarks-president-trump-and-president-abbas-palestinian-authority-joint, retrieved December 14, 2017.
12. “Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, 11/1/2017, #30.” The White House. November 1, 2017. https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/11/01/press-briefing-press-secretary-sarah-sanders-1112017-30, retrieved December 14, 2017.
13. “Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sean Spicer, 3/7/2017, #18.” The White House. March 17, 2017. https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/07/press-briefing-press-secretary-sean-spicer-372017-18, retrieved December 14, 2017.
14. “Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Sarah Sander en route Washington, D.C., 8/23/2017.” The White House. August 23, 2017. https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/08/23/press-gaggle-press-secretary-sarah-sanders-en-route-washington-dc, retrieved December 14, 2017.
Image: Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Bigelow. “Engaging ISIS.” U.S. Department of Defense. July 6, 2017. Retrieved from https://www.defense.gov/Photos/Photo-Gallery/igphoto/2001778955/ on December 14, 2017. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
December 20, 2017: Generosity Isn’t a Virtue and Taxation Will Never be Moral
1. “Sanders Statement on Final GOP Tax Bill.” Bernie Sanders. December 15, 2017. https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/sanders-statement-on-final-gop-tax-bill, retrieved December 19, 2017.
2. “Congressman Tim Ryan Statement on Passage of Disastrous Senate GOP Tax Bill.” Tim Ryan. December 4, 2017. https://timryan.house.gov/press-release/congressman-tim-ryan-statement-passage-disastrous-senate-gop-tax-bill, retrieved December 19, 2017.
3. “Higgins Calls GOP Tax Plan a Fraud.” Brian Higgins. November 3, 2017. https://higgins.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/higgins-calls-gop-tax-plan-a-fraud, retrieved December 19, 2017.
4. “The Giving Season.” Speaker Paul Ryan. November 28, 2017. https://www.speaker.gov/general/giving-season, retrieved December 19, 2017.
Image: DOD photo by Sebastian Sciotti Jr. “Service Members, Volunteers Lay Wreaths At Arlington National Cemetery.” Department of Defense. Retrieved from http://archive.defense.gov/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2013-12/hires_131214-D-SS007-9a.jpg on December 19, 2017.
December 22, 2017: Biggest Failure of 2017? 10 Political Catastrophes to Remember
1. Image: “Along U.S. Borders. U.S. Border Patrol agent conducts a pat down of a female Mexican being placed in a holding facility.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection. September 13, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/photo/33_bp033.jpg on December 22, 2017.
2. “Dingell Responds to Supreme Court Decision Allowing President Trump’s Muslim Ban to Take Effect.” Debbie Dingell. December 4, 2017. https://debbiedingell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/dingell-responds-supreme-court-decision-allowing-president-trump-s, retrieved December 21, 2017.