NOW THERE IS A SPECIAL COUNSEL—BUT WE CAN’T STOP THERE!
#Russiagate
On Tuesday, people across America—including Oregon Indivisiblers–called and showed up in person to demand a Special Counsel to investigate Trump’s Russia ties and possible obstruction of justice. It worked http://nyti.ms/2qxFhGA .
But this is no time for Congress to push “pause.”
–Special Counsel Mueller’s comprehensive investigation could take weeks to months to launch and years to complete. And he is still answerable to the DOJ https://usat.ly/2rsLbIw .
–The US Senate Intelligence and House Oversight Committees are now calling for open testimony by former FBI Director Comey regarding Trump’s alleged request that he ease off the FBI – Michael Flynn investigation http://nyti.ms/2rrQXu3 . But it has yet to happen.
–House Dems are circulating a ”discharge petition” to force a vote on House HB 356 “Protect Our Democracy Act” https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/356 . Like the equivalent SB 27 https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/27 , HB 356 would establish an independent bipartisan commission which—unlike Mueller’s inquiry—would have a unique focus on Russian election interference http://slate.me/2rtalaR .
Most of our Oregon MOC’s are in support of keeping all lines of inquiry open. But existing Congressional investigations must accelerate their pace, and independent commissions remain crucial. There is not a moment to lose.
**ACTION 1: CALL BOTH SENATORS**
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I want to thank Senator [–] for his role in compelling the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate possible wrongdoing by Trump and his campaign staff. But given the pace of shocking revelations about Trump and his possible obstruction of justice and security violations, this is no time to relax other key investigations. The Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees must accelerate their pace and schedule open testimony by James Comey immediately. I would also like the Senator to move forward NOW on Senate Bill 27, which would launch a bipartisan commission to examine Russian election interference.”
**ACTION 2: CALL CONGRESSMAN WALDEN**
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I want to thank Congressman Walden for praising the selection of Robert Mueller as Special Counsel to investigate possible wrongdoing by President Trump and his campaign staff. Today I would like Mr. Walden to go further: to sign the discharge petition to allow a speedy House vote on HR 356 ‘Protecting Our Democracy Act’, and to demand that the House Intelligence Committee to immediately invite James Comey back to testify about his memo describing possible Trump – FBI investigation interference.
**ACTION 3: CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN RED DISTRICTS**
Tell them to pressure their Republican House Members to sign the discharge petition for HR 356, and their Republican Senators to pass SB 27 and call for immediate Comey testimony in Senate Intelligence and Judiciary Committees.
**PHONE NUMBERS**
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
CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
