Voter suppression was rampant throughout the midterm elections. Millions of voters were purged from rolls, polling places were shut down, and discriminatory gerrymandering diluted the power of people’s voices.

Despite efforts to silence Americans, voters delivered a mandate – and an opportunity – to move our democracy forward. It’s time for Congress to listen.

Right now, the House of Representatives is putting together a package – called H.R. 1 – to make it happen. H.R. 1 is a comprehensive package of reforms that includes protections against voter suppression, independent redistricting commissions, automatic voter registration and political spending restrictions.
But it’s up to us to push the House leadership to make H.R. 1 as strong as it can be – especially as special interest groups and others who prefer the status quo try to weaken it.

We need a democracy where voters are protected from discrimination and can make themselves heard at the ballot box. A democracy where electoral districts are drawn fairly, so that every voter’s ballot is worth the same. A democracy that isn’t bought and paid for by the highest corporate bidder. And a democracy where ordinary Americans – more women, people of color, and working people – can run for office without relying on special interest Big Money.

HR1
Just imagine what a Congress that took our democracy seriously could accomplish

Onwards,
Amy Korngiebel
Director of Distribution
Brave New Films

At least 7 million Americans living near 131 military sites could be exposed to unsafe levels of PFAS, a set of chemical compounds linked to health risks like cancer, fetal health disorders, and liver damage.¹ That’s the disturbing finding of a recent UCS report that looks at contamination levels at military sites across the country.² Documents we obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request showed levels of PFAS that exceeded established safety thresholds at 130 of the 131 sites.

ucsusa.org

In one of the documents we uncovered, a White House staffer called a pending government report on PFAS a “public relations nightmare” and tried to suppress the science and the danger from the public.³

It is unacceptable that our government allows military families and their neighbors to be exposed to toxic chemicals. Along with our partners, we’re using research to draw media attention and demand action from our leaders, but we need your help to make sure our government rights this wrong.

We’ve already made important progress on the PFAS fight. Our team of experts have combed through the evidence on PFAS contamination and are bringing the facts to light: existing rules covering PFAS contamination are insufficient to deal with the emerging body of research.

The time for a stronger, science-based national response on PFAS, based on the latest research and highest standards for public safety, is long past due. Our efforts have pushed the Environmental Protection Agency into beginning preliminary inquiries to bolster safeguards against PFAS contamination; we need to hold their feet to the fire until our drinking water is 100 percent safe.

With PFAS contamination and so many other threats, we need to get the science right.

It’s a long road ahead in order to keep people safe from PFAS in drinking water. UCS will be there every step of the way—elevating science and the facts in the policymaking process, uncovering political interference at the EPA, and bringing public pressure on behalf of the environment and public health.

Thank you for sharing our vision of a world where our leaders put our health, safety, and environment first.

John Mace   ucsusa.org
Membership Director
Union of Concerned Scientists

resources:

1.https://blog.ucsusa.org/derrick-jackson/action-needed-to-address-the-us-militarys-pfas-contamination
2.https://www.ucsusa.org/center-science-and-democracy/preserving-science-based-safeguards/toxic-threat-pfas-contamination-military-bases
3.https://blog.ucsusa.org/michael-halpern/bipartisan-outrage-as-epa-white-house-try-to-cover-up-chemical-health-assessment

ucsusa.org

Standing between 15 to 20 feet, giraffes are the world’s tallest mammals. Their legs alone can reach over six feet.
While giraffes’ long legs and necks help them spot danger on the African Savanna, their height also makes them noticeable targets for predators–including lions, leopards, hyenas and crocodiles.
But Giraffes’ Number One Predators are Humans!
Habitat and food loss, civil unrest, illegal hunting and human-caused climate change are causing today’s 40% decline in giraffe populations.
Today, giraffes are listed as Vulnerable To Extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
To Save Giraffes We’ve Got To:
• Educate all people on how and why to protect giraffes
• Support sustainable agriculture and settlement practices near giraffe habitats
• Reforest key areas with acacia trees that provide giraffes’ main food source
• Stop the poaching of giraffes for their tails, considered status symbols
• Solve hunger in areas like Sudan where impoverished villagers eat giraffe meat
• Reverse climate change that’s causing rising temperatures and widespread drought in Africa

Did You Know?
Africa consumes a tiny fraction of the world’s fossil fuel, yet it gets much more than its fair share of the negative impacts of climate change. Between its size, vast natural resources, and unique weather patterns, the continent is especially susceptible to the effects of rising temperatures.
Giraffes Live in Harmony and Serve a Vital Role in Ecosystems
Giraffes are vegan. With their long necks they reach leaves, flowers and fruit that most grazing animals can’t. As plants and fruits pass through their digestive systems, they spread seeds that allow plants to germinate. By hosting ticks, giraffes provide food for tick-eating birds. The birds in turn help giraffes by removing the pests.
Giraffes eat more than 100 pounds of leaves per week, traveling far distances to find food. As social animals, they travel peacefully in large herds of mixed ages and genders.
Because giraffes can spot predators such as lions and hyenas from far away, many animals use giraffes as their early warning system. When giraffes start running away, other animals run, too.

On Monday, December 3, 2018, dancers Aaliyah & Aubrey spoke before the WA House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee about some major issues in strip clubs in WA. This was a powerful moment — check out the clip below to hear their testimonies yourself:

Aubrey’s experience…