***IMMEDIATE ACTION***THANK SENATORS STANDING UP FOR US against ice AND CALL OUT THOSE WHO AREN’T [02-02-26]
On Saturday, Oregon families attending a “Labor’s Against ICE” protest got a taste of ICE’s gratuitous violence daily wracking cities and towns in Minnesota, when thousands, including children, elderly people and pets, marching from Elizabeth Caruthers Park past the ICE building a few blocks away, were hit with tear-gas and pepper balls in the late afternoon and evening. Portland police on the scene did nothing to stop these unlawful actions. Nor did they arrest the agents for the numerous crimes being committed.
Despite the 2 horrific Minneapolis murders, and the massive public outcry they engendered, these assaults on citizens, immigrants, and the Constitution continue unabated. Additionally, DHS recently gave agents license to further expand warrantless arrests and there’s evidence they’re using sophisticated surveillance tools to track citizen protesters.
It’s against this backdrop we must evaluate what our Congresspeople are doing. On Friday, Senate Democrats defeated the House’ 6 funding bills, due to DHS’s inclusion. When considering the other 5 funding bills and a 2-week CR for DHS within which to negotiate ICE/CBP reforms, Sen. Sanders offered an amendment repealing the $75 billion in additional ICE funding contained in the reconciliation bill. Every Democrat (plus GOP Sens. Collins and Murkowski) voted for it—for which we must thank them—despite failing 49-51.
Had Democrats then voted down the compromise, numerous agencies would be without funding, increasing the likelihood of Republicans negotiating in good faith. That would also have shown everyone Democrats truly had their backs. Unfortunately, only 23, including Merkley and Wyden, recognized this reality. They all deserve our support.
We must keep reminding our MoCs that without really meaningful reforms—well beyond what Schumer’s proposing—these unconstrained assaults will get even worse.
ACTION One: Call the Senate and the House.
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
REP. BONAMICI: Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | D.C. office: 202-225-0855
REP. BENTZ: Medford office: 541-776-4646 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
REP. DEXTER: Portland office: 503-231-2300 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
REP. HOYLE: Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | D.C. office: 202-225-6416
REP. BYNUM: Oregon City office: 503-387-8651 | D.C. office: 202-225-5711
REP. SALINAS: Salem office: 503-385-0906 | D.C. office: 202-225-5643
