Action 198 DEFUND ICE!
Background: Even though the “big ugly bill” passed, the (somewhat tortured) process calls for subsequent votes on certain types of appropriations. It just so happens that a huge flood of new ICE money is up for a vote this month. “An appropriations package moving through Congress – which Democrats have helped negotiate – would give ICE money to expand its detention beds, even above the levels provided in Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which gave the president tens of billions of dollars to supercharge his militarized mass-deportation campaign. Appropriations bills are subject to the Senate filibuster, which requires 60 votes to pass most legislation. That means Trump is counting on a number of Senate Democrats, at least seven, to help pass this bill and give ICE extra cash to further ramp up its immigration raids, which are being carried out by masked secret police. The deadline to pass the appropriations package and avoid a government shutdown is January 30.(1). ICE is heading for Maine, for reasons you understand (2). Governor Mills is resisting (3), while Golden is telling us to “avoid spreading unsubstantiated gossip or fear.” (4) What would constitute “substantiated” in his mind – a letter to him from Ice Barbie saying when and where they plan to raid? Was he one of the Democrats who “helped negotiate”? One hopes not!
Action: Ask Senator King to filibuster the ICE appropriation. Collins doesn’t have what it takes. Does he? Would Mills if she was in the Senate? Would Graham Platner? Others?
Contact:
Senator Angus King: Email www.king.senate.gov/contact
Phone: (202) 224-5344 (DC office), (207) 945-8000 (Bangor office)
Urgency: today preferred
Extra Credit:
(1) https://zeteo.com/p/will-democrats-vote-to-give-trump
(3) see her radio address on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2478691905862021
(4) Golden’s Weekly Update, received in in-box January 17.