{"articles":[{"id":26660,"title":"The DC: 🚨 Trump asks Congress for $4.5 Billion in emergency border funds, and... How would you rate Barr's handling of the Mueller report?","html_content":"

by Causes | 5.2.19

Welcome to Thursday, May 2, carnivores and vegetarians....

Join us in welcoming Brigade and Causes technology to Countable

Countable's founder and CEO, Bart Myers, shared news of this exciting acquisition in a letter to you, our Countable community. Some highlights:

\"Brigade was founded in 2014 to reinvent how Americans participate in politics. Its non-partisan mission was in many ways aligned with Countable’s own, as we pursue digital solutions that lower barriers to civic entry, and empower informed citizens with the tools to make their voices heard.\"
\"Brigade, along with their campaign platform Causes, built powerful communities and connected people far and wide around core values, issues, and conversations.\"
\"To our loyal and active Countable users, keep on keeping on! You’ve taken over 35 million civic actions. Can you take 35 million more?\"
\"[T]o any new Countable users, welcome! We can’t wait to learn, discuss, and take action with you. You all represent the curious, thoughtful, and outspoken citizens that our country desperately needs.\"

Read Bart's welcome letter in full here.

On the Radar

(Different) Border Emergency Funds

President Donald Trump has asked Congress to authorize $4.5 billion in emergency funds, saying it’s needed to address the “humanitarian crisis” at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Department of Homeland Security “projects it will exhaust resources well before the end of the fiscal year,” reads the formal request letter to Congress, which was obtained by the AP. “Without additional resources, the safety and well-being of law enforcement personnel and migrants are at substantial risk.”

The funds would only be used to handle the surge in unauthorized immigrants, not Trump’s proposed border wall or physical barriers, according to senior administration officials who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity.

Should Congress approve the requested funds?

Mueller Retort

Special Counsel Robert Mueller objected to Attorney General William Barr’s 4-page summary of the principal findings of his Russia investigation, telling the Justice Department (and Barr in a subsequent phone call) that the AG’s memo “did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance” of the investigation.

Mueller’s letter was made public hours before Barr began testifying in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“The summary letter the Department sent to Congress and released to the public late in the afternoon of March 24 did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance of this office’s work and conclusions,” Mueller wrote in a letter dated March 27, three days after Barr’s summary was released.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Barr explained the reasoning behind his summary:

\"That's what we were trying to do: notify the people as to the bottom line conclusion. We were not trying to summarize the 410-page report. So I offered Bob Mueller the opportunity to review that letter before it went out and he declined.\"

Are you concerned over Barr's handling of the Mueller report?

Under the Radar

Veterans Pot Protocol

Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs said the agency opposes three separate medical marijuana bills currently under consideration by members of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

“It’s overwhelmingly clear amongst the American people and amongst the veterans across the country that this is an issue that they are keenly interested in and want to have access to,” said Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA), the chairwoman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs subpanel on health.

But Larry Mole, chief consultant for the VA’s Population Health department, said that “as long as cannabis or marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, then we are going to look to the DEA and the Department of Justice to give us their opinion on what our prescribers are able to do.\"

Do you oppose legislation aimed at improving access to medicinal pot for veterans?

Single-Payer Healthcare Costs

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Wednesday released a report that discusses design considerations and choices facing policymakers in the debate over single-payer healthcare.

The 34-page report doesn’t address all of the issues related to designing, implementing, or transitioning to single-payer healthcare (which it acknowledges could be “complicated, challenging, and potentially disruptive”). Nor does it analyze the budgetary effects of a particular proposal.

It does, however, explore several aspects of healthcare policy that would be affected by a switch to single-payer and factors to consider in designing a proposal. We’ve summarized some of the key findings here, so take a read and let us know:

Do things like cost & coverage choices impact your view of single-payer healthcare plans?

Your Gov at a Glance 👀

The White House: President Trump in D.C.

At 11:00am EDT, the president will participate in the National Day of Prayer Service.
At 2:30pm EDT, the president will meet with Senate Republicans.

The House of Representatives: In

\nVoting on a bill that would prohibit the use of funds to withdraw the U.S. from the non-binding Paris Agreement on climate change and emissions reduction.

The Senate: In

\nVoting to override President Trump's veto and withdraw U.S. forces assisting the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
\nVoting on the confirmation of three district judges (two in Puerto Rico and one in Eastern Pennsylvania).

What You're Saying

Here's how you're answering Should the U.S. Stay in the Paris Agreement?

(Follow Mikesindahouse's comment here.)

(Follow Jan's comment here.)

But wait, there's more!

And, in the End…

Hawaiian Obama bobblehead wishes you a happy National Play Your Ukulele Day:

Aloha, all,

—Josh Herman

Talk to us via email at contact [at] countable.us. And don’t forget to keep in touch @Countable.

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