WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION – SPECIAL COUNSEL IS NOT ENOUGH!
#Russiagate
Last week Rod Rosenstein appointed a Special Counsel to address the Trump Administration’s Russia ties. Why? Because Trump fired the FBI Director investigating those ties, General Flynn refused to testify, and US Attorney General Sessions lied about his own Russian connections. But it isn’t enough. Congress must ALSO create an independent commission.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation is not enough because he will:
–report to the DOJ which reports to Trump (http://lat.ms/2rgDIzL);
–produce a classified report for Congress with no obligation to make it public;
–focus on legal matters ONLY – if no legal issue is found then NO report has to be issued (http://bit.ly/2qNm2ei); and
–be at risk of being undermined by the White House (http://reut.rs/2rmHNTe).
We need an independent commission which:
–does NOT report to Trump;
–can focus on policy/procedural matters – i.e. how Russia hacked the election; and
–produces a public report (http://wapo.st/2qcRNJV).
Sen Merkely supports S27 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/27) and all Oregon Reps (except Walden) support HR 356 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/356)– bills that establish an independent commission. These bills MUST to come to the floor for a vote and be approved . . .
Our democracy hangs in the balance!
**ACTION 1: CALL SENATORS WYDEN AND MERKLEY**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I want to thank Senator Merkley for his support of S.27, which will establish an independent commission to examine Russian election interference. I ask that the Senator do all he can to bring S.27 to the floor for a vote and HOLD Senate business until this happens.”
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I understand Senator has not signed on to S. 27, which will establish an independent commission to examine Russian election interference. I ask that the Senator co-sponsor this bill, do all he can to bring it to a floor vote, and HOLD Senate business until this happens.”
**ACTION 2: CALL CONGRESSMAN WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am outraged that Congressman Walden has not signed on to support HR 356, which will establish an independent commission to examine Russian election interference. I expect him to finally put country over party and co-sponsor this bill, then do all he can to bring it to a floor vote, and HOLD Congressional business until this happens. Is he a patriot or a political puppet?”
**ACTION 3: CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN RED DISTRICTS**
Tell them to pressure their Republican House Members to sign the HR 356 discharge petition (which will allow it to come to a floor vote without House Speaker Paul Ryan’s approval), and their Republican Senators to pass SB 27.
SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
