Call to Action: July 23, 2018

DAYS UNTIL MID-TERM BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED: 86

DAYS UNTIL MID-TERM BALLOTS ARE DUE: 106


STOP DARK MONEY’S THREAT TO DEMOCRACY


Dark money corrupts our democracy.  It just got darker.

Anyone wishing to spend large amounts of money to influence U.S. elections and policy simply must register as a “social welfare” non-profit with the IRS. They remain publicly anonymous, although government officials can still see from where the money is coming.

The Treasury Department just announced that some politically active tax-exempt groups will no longer have to report the names of their donors to the IRS.

NO SURPRISE!

The Greg Walden-supporting NRA is one.

A woman named Maria Butina has been charged by the FBI with acting as a foreign agent for Russia.  She and her boss, a Russian official and Putin ally, both have strong ties to the NRA and “gun rights” Republicans like Walden. They are part of Mueller’s investigation into Russian money funneled through the NRA to aid Trump’s election.  He can follow the money by looking at the NRA’s tax returns.

This administration has now ensured that there will now be no way to follow

the flow of dark money through non-profits.

Shine a Light on Dark Money!

Overturn Citizens United!


**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WYDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter  from [city], Oregon [zip code].  I am calling because I am outraged by the influence of dark money in our politics and elections.  I want to thank the Senator for taking a stand during Finance Committee hearings.  I  am asking him to continue to work against the proposed IRS rule changes reducing donor disclosure requirements. I am also asking for legislation to end dark money and ensure transparency in our politics, including the release of Trump’s tax returns. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR MERKLEY:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter  from [city], Oregon [zip code].  I am calling because I am outraged by the influence of dark money in our politics and elections. I am asking him to work against the proposed IRS rule changes reducing donor disclosure requirements. I am also asking for legislation to end dark money and ensure transparency in our politics, including the release of Trump’s tax returns. Thank you.”

SENATOR RON 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
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/

SENATOR JEFF 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
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/


**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**

SAMPLE SCRIPT:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent and voter  from [city], Oregon [zip code].  I am calling because I am outraged by the influence of dark money in our politics and elections. Please tell Greg Walden to put COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY and to work against the proposed IRS rule changes reducing donor disclosure requirements. I am also asking for legislation to end dark money and ensure transparency in our politics, including the release of Trump’s tax returns. Thank you.”

COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN

DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me

**ACTION THREE: REMEMBER FOR THE MIDTERMS**

It has become clear that we need a different Congress to protect our democracy from the corrupting influence of dark money.

2018 is the most important election in our lifetimes.