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During his remarks to Governors yesterday, Donald Trump weighed responses to the mass shooting at a high school in Florida, discussing options such as arming teachers and reopening mental institutions. He also said that, unlike the armed deputy who failed to enter the building, he would have rushed into the school, even unarmed, had he been there. As a reminder, he deferred going to Vietnam -- where he would have actually been armed -- five times. On Capitol Hill, Senate Republicans, backed by the NRA and Trump, are pressing to quickly pass a narrow bill aimed at improving records and information-sharing in the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System. But attempts to pass the bill, called Fix NICS, encountered resistance from opposite ends of the political spectrum on Monday. Hence, the inaction in Congress shifts the gun control battles to the states. Meanwhile, Tri-Caucus members are pushing forward. Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and colleagues will hold a news conference with Gabby Giffords' Group on the Gun Violence Restraining Order Act at 4P in the House Triangle. This morning, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) will hold a briefing on Black undocumented immigrant communities at 11:30A in 2044 Rayburn. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) will be joined by Congressman Mark Walker (R-NC) for a media availability on the HBCU fly-in at 12P in 1310 Longworth. And Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) will hold a news conference on Asian American Pacific Islander family reunification at 2P in the House Triangle. Lastly, for those of you who have added multiple Wakanda stamps to your passports the past couple of weeks, we have news. There's a petition circulating to bring a show about Wakanda to Netflix. If anyone wants to skip the Vineyard this August and do a timeshare in Wakanda instead, let me know. I found a house, made entirely of vibranium, that sleeps ten and has a purple herb garden. We’re kicking off Tuesday with this...
- Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) presses Deputy Secretary of State on Haiti.
- U.S. point man on North Korea steps down.
- Clueless actress makes an official Dash to DC bid.
- Congresswoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) to intro legislation abolishing Conscience and Religious Freedom Division at HHS.
- Barack Obama speech at sports conference leaked.
- Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) leads request to expedite Israel’s full membership in the CBP Global Entry program.
- Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) questions culture and diversity at the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
- Winston-Salem, NC Councilmember announces a congressional run.
- Former First Lady Michelle Obama heading to the Bay Area.
- Windy City officials say proposed roadwork and underpass construction for Obama Presidential Center will cost a pretty penny.
- Meet the new CEO of the Dallas Mavericks.
- Demos President steps down.
- Black Lives Matter Co-Founder launches new outreach effort.
- Native Americans weigh in on farm bill.
- CUNY Tow-Knight for Entrepreneurial Journalism welcomes 12 new Fellows.
- Donald Trump expected to make an announcement today on HBCUs.
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|  | NBC's Craig Melvin last week in PyeongChang, South Korea with Olympians Gus Kenworthy and Adam Rippon. | |  | Tamika D. Mallory on Saturday at the Power Rising Summit in Atlanta. | |
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Bob Menéndez Presses Deputy Secretary of State on Haiti
Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter on Monday to Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan in advance of his trip to Port-au-Prince urging Sullivan to assess conditions on the ground in Haiti and reconsider the Trump administration’s decision to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haitians living in the United States. “As you will witness, the Department’s recommendation to terminate TPS was not based on the facts on the ground, but instead was the result of political interference by the White House in an effort to advance this Administration’s xenophobic anti-immigration agenda,” wrote the Senator. “It is time for the Administration to retract its decision and implement the TPS program in accordance with U.S. law in order to protect foreign nationals living in the U.S. who cannot safely return to their homeland.” Menéndez also reiterated that Trump’s recent derogatory comments, calling Haiti and Central American and African countries “shitholes,” damaged American diplomacy and national security, concluding, “I hope you will utilize your trip to reject the President’s insulting comments and reaffirm U.S. commitment to a productive partnership with the Haitian people based on mutual respect and shared democratic values.” Sullivan is slated to meet with Haitian President Jovenel Moïse and other Caribbean leaders attending the 29th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. The Deputy Secretary’s office says he will focus discussions on energy diversification, regional security, and economic development. See Menéndez's letter here.
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Luján Grisham Intros Bill to Close New Conscience and Religious Freedom Division at HHS
Congresswoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) later today will introduce legislation to abolish HHS' recently announced Conscience and Religious Freedom Division, reports Politico. In January, the Division was introduced by the administration because they said it would help protect religious liberty in healthcare, but groups warn that it could allow for easier discrimination. "[T]he Trump Administration has no business facilitating discrimination and creating barriers for medically necessary health care," Luján Grisham said. "This Division was created with the sole purpose of allowing hospitals, doctors, nurses, and even administrative staff to determine a patient's care based on their personal religious beliefs, not on what is best for the patient." See bill text here.
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Hirono Leads Full Senate in Letter Urging DHS on Israel’s Participation in Global Entry Program
Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and James Inhofe (R-OK) yesterday led the full Senate in urging DHS to expedite Israel’s full membership in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program. In a letter to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, all 100 Senators emphasized that Israel’s full membership and reciprocal privileges for Americans would grow the U.S. economy and strengthen national security. “As 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of U.S.-Israel diplomatic relations, extending full Global Entry membership and reciprocity for Americans would be a fitting gesture of our continued efforts to enhance the security and economic partnership between our two nations. We strongly support Israel’s membership in CBP’s Global Entry program and urge the efforts towards this goal be accelerated as much as possible to help ensure the best travel experience to strengthen the bonds between our two great democracies,” the letter reads. More here.
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|  | TX congressional candidate Colin Allred with writer Bradley Bowen and former TX state Senator Wendy Davis. | |  | Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) backstage on Saturday at the CA Democratic Party convention in San Diego. | |
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Clueless Actress Challenges Nanette Díaz Barragán
We told you earlier this month that actress and former Fox News commentator Stacey Dash was weighing a run for Congress. Now it’s official. The Clueless actress and conservative launched her bid in California’s 44th District, challenging first-term incumbent Congresswoman Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-CA). The district, which includes Compton, Watts, San Pedro, and North Long Beach, has long been represented by a Democrat. It voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton in 2016, 83%-12%. Representatives for Dash have not issued any formal statement, but the paperwork appeared Monday morning on the Federal Election Commission website, listing the formation of a candidate committee called “Dash to DC.” The district is 69.4% Hispanic, 15.12% Black, and 6.67% Asian. So far, other GOP candidates appear to find a dash to DC pretty clueless. The actress may be the only Republican on the ballot in the June 5th primary. More here.
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Councilwoman Aims to Unseat GOP Incumbent in NC
Denise "DD" Adams, a Winston-Salem Democratic Councilmember, is aiming to unseat incumbent Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) in North Carolina’s Fifth Congressional District. The 1976 Morgan State University graduate returned to Winston-Salem after college and worked 37 years in manufacturing and management positions before retiring from Johnson Controls in 2013. Unlike many other candidates, Adams said her decision to run has nothing to do with Trump’s election but is rather what she sees as her next step in public service. But she did say that Dems do need to do a better job of reaching out to the kind of working-class voters who deserted the Democrats for Trump in the last election cycle. “The Democratic Party did not speak to the base and what the real needs of the district and country are,” she said. “We didn’t speak to the needs or what was bothering or holding our folks back: jobs, jobs jobs. We didn’t look at how people are paying for education and how our educational system is stacking up.” In her campaign announcement, Adams said she would be a “strong voice of reason and progress” for common concerns in the 5th District that include “jobs, educational opportunities, environment, healthcare, equality, financial security as we grow older and countless other things.” The district covers parts of 11 counties in the northwestern part of the state and runs to the Tennessee border. The population is 14.69% Black, 9.49% Hispanic, 1.64% Asian, and 0.29% Native American. Adams will face Jenny Marshall in the May 8th primary. More here.
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CHC BOLD PAC Aims Ads at Curbelo
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ BOLD PAC and the House Majority PAC announced that they would be running a digital ad campaign calling out Republican members of Congress who they say offered “nothing but false hope and empty promises to DREAMers who face the risk of deportation.” One of their main targets? Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), who they specifically called out in a statement for using his leadership PAC to fund hardline immigration opponents. “It's time to hold [them] accountable for their complete failure to protect DREAMers after Trump has announced the end to DACA,” said Andrés Orellana, Political Director of CHC BOLD PAC. “Time is running out. If you aren't part of the solution, then you're part of the problem, and by refusing to stand up to Trump, these Republicans effectively stand with him. Voters see through this charade, and we will see you at the ballot box.” The ads will run in English, “Broken Promises,” and Spanish, “Promesas Rotas,” in the targeted districts. The campaign’s other targets include Congressmen Jeff Denham (R-CA), Mike Coffman (R-CO), and Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA). See the ad against Curbelo here.
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Holder’s Group Sues Wisconsin Governor
Eric Holder’s National Redistricting Foundation (NDF) -- whose parent is the National Democratic Redistricting Committee -- sued WI Governor Scott Walker (R) yesterday in a state court on behalf of voters in two vacant districts. After Democrat Patty Schachtner won a shocking upset in January in a special election, Walker has refused to call special elections for two more vacancies in Wisconsin’s state Legislature. The NDF maintains that “plaintiffs have a clear legal right to elect representatives to fill those vacancies (and to representation in the Legislature) and Governor Walker has a plain legal duty to issue the writs of election to hold a special election as promptly as possible.” In a statement, Holder said that “Walker’s refusal to hold special elections is an affront to representative democracy ... Forcing citizens to go more than a year without representation in the general Assembly is a plain violation of their rights, and we’re hopeful the court will act quickly to order the governor to hold elections.” More here.
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NDRC is seeking an Office Assistant to support day to day operations for the entire organization. The Office Assistant will provide administrative support to the Executive Director, Campaign Director, and Communications Director and additional support to other senior staff, as needed. Click here to learn more and apply! | | |
NDRC seeks a Technical Product Producer to develop and execute our redistricting software program as well as oversee other data and mapping demands, as necessary. The TPP will work closely with stakeholders, product vendors, and software developers to gather data requirements and manage the overall product development process. Click here to learn more and apply! | |
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State Department's Point Man on North Korea to Retire
Joe Yun, the State Department’s top envoy on North Korea, confirmed he will be retiring at the end of this week. His absence will leave a gap of expertise and knowledge at a crucial moment for American engagement on the Korean Peninsula. The 63-year-old holds both the position of United States Special Representative for North Korea Policy and of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Korea and Japan in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, roles to which he was appointed in October 2016 by President Barack Obama after a three-year stint as U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia. His departure reflects the widespread frustration within the State Department at diplomats' relative lack of power in the Trump administration, according to sources. “This is my own personal decision,” Yun told WaPo regarding his decision. “Secretary Tillerson has told me he appreciates my service and did not want me to go, but he accepts it reluctantly.” Trump still has not nominated an Ambassador to South Korea, 13 months into his administration. Victor Cha had been in the running for the job, but the administration abruptly scrapped his candidacy last month. More here.
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Trump Expected to Make HBCU Announcement Today
Donald Trump is set to make an announcement today at 4P about additional leadership in the White House Initiative on HBCUs. In September, the administration tapped Johnathan Holifield, a former NFL player who headed an economic development firm, to lead the initiative. A White House spokesman said Monday that "Johnathan is still the executive director of the WH Initiative on HBCUs," but would not provide more information on today's announcement. Many HBCU leaders are in town for meetings on the Hill and with officials in the Trump administration organized by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). The Education Department recently issued a solicitation for meeting space and hotel rooms for the annual conference for the initiative, noting in the solicitation that it spent $30,000 on last year's "abbreviated" version. This year, however, the department appears to be ready to host full-fledged conference, seeking a conference space that can hold 1,000 attendees. The department is eyeing either September 16th-19th or September 19th-23rd for the event. DeVos addressed HBCU presidents and chancellors at an event hosted by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund on Monday, which represents 47 public HBCUs. It was closed to the press and the Education Department would not give out her remarks when asked. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) addressed the group as well. More on the HBCU fly-in here.
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DeVos Delaying Rule for Minority Special Education Students
The Department of Education announced that it would officially be proposing to delay an Obama-era rule meant to address longstanding inequities in special education based on race and ethnicity. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos began eyeing the delay last fall, and today will publish the federal register announcement noting a two-year delay. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires states to flag school districts with high rates of students from particular racial or ethnic groups identified as having disabilities, placed in restrictive settings or subjected to discipline. However, states have traditionally used different measures and the Obama administration claimed that as a result few schools were ever identified. The rule, which is slated to take effect July 1st, sought to establish a standard approach to identifying districts. WaPo writes that when Obama’s Education Department finalized the rule, they noted that Black and American Indian youth are identified by schools as having disabilities at rates higher than their peers and that minority students with disabilities were disciplined and removed from regular-education classes at higher rates than their peers. More here.
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Menéndez Questions Culture and Diversity at Aid Agency
Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) is demanding answers regarding a series of statements and actions attributed to a senior leader at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. foreign aid agency. In a letter to Acting CEO of the MCC, Jonathan Nash, Menéndez specifically expressed concerns about comments made by MCC’s Vice President of Compact Operations, Robert Blau. He reportedly made "a number of troubling comments that raise questions about his approach to and treatment of employees based on their political leanings, sexual orientation, and national origin," Menéndez wrote. Among the comments Blau reportedly made: he told colleagues that he is "not someone who celebrates diversity or engineers it. To me, diversity just happens”; "My first wife was an African immigrant ... So, actually, on an anthropologic level, I'm like President Obama's mother. In the sense that my spouse was an African immigrant and my sons are mixed race, like President Obama and his siblings"; and "Your demographic is Asian. Are Asians all in one box?" he asked. "The big three in her area is Koreans, Japanese and Chinese. Would they want to be in the same box? I don't think so." The comments came to light as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee -- of which Menéndez recently regained the top Democratic post -- examined the nomination of Sean Cairncross to serve as MCC CEO. More here.
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|  | Former First Lady Michelle Obama on Sunday in DC with the cast of Familiar, the play written by Black Panther star Danai Gurira. | |  | Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX) last week working on a Orbital ATK as part of his "Marc Means Business" workday initiative. | |
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Mavericks Names First Woman CEO
The Dallas Mavericks named Cynthia Marshall interim CEO in the wake of a scathing article exposing the basketball organization’s culture of sexual harassment against women. The former head of AT&T operations in North Carolina recently retired as Chief Diversity Officer of the networking giant. Mavericks owner, tech entrepreneur Mark Cuban, announced her hire at a press conference on Sunday, as news circulated that former team President & CEO Terdema Ussery is facing multiple allegations and two domestic violence incidents involving former team website writer Earl K. Sneed. Marshall outlined three primary areas of focus in her plan to address the franchise's issues: an independent investigation, cultural transformation, and operational effectiveness. All eyes will now be on Marshall as she attempts to manage both the fallout and rebuilding of this beleaguered NBA franchise. Once the first Black cheerleader at UC Berkeley, the San Francisco native is now the NBA’s first female CEO. Black Enterprise delves into her background here.
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Demos President Steps Down
After 15 years with Demos, Heather McGhee will transition from her role as President. She says she will continue to be a champion for Demos as a Distinguished Senior Fellow while writing her first book. She says she is also hoping to increase her media appearances, promoting what she calls “a positive vision of a multiracial democracy at a moment when the loudest voices seek to divide us for their own gain.” McGhee is currently a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Civic Participation and serves on the boards of the Center for Working Families and Consumer Reports. The Yale University graduate completed law school at UC Berkeley. “Every day gives me a new reason to be proud of the organization we have built together at Demos. I will always be committed to our work to give all people an equal say in our democracy and an equal chance in our economy,” McGhee said. “I remain committed to continuing the fight for the progressive ideas and values we hold dear. I’ve treasured my time as President and I will always be grateful for our allies across the country.” In March, the Demos Board of Trustees will launch a nationwide search for its next President. More here.
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Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Launches New Effort
Alicia Garza, Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter, on Monday launched the Black Futures Lab (BFL), a new mobilization effort aimed to engage Black people, legislators, and community-based organizations to build political power and push for policies that help strengthen Black communities. Launched in partnership with Demos, Color of Change, Center for Third World Organizing, Socioanalitica Research, and the Tides Foundation, the Black Futures Lab will develop strategies that help Black people imagine the political, social, and economic alternatives needed at the local, state, and federal level, while also building the political power needed to implement those alternatives. “If we’ve learned anything from this past election, it’s that Black folks drive the progressive political power in this country, but rarely benefit from the fruits of our labor,” said Garza. “For too long, people have spoken for us and perpetuated false representations of the issues that drive our votes.” As its first initiative, Black Futures Lab also launched the Black Census project, a national data collection effort to hear directly from 200,000 Black people in 20 states about the issues directly affecting them in their communities. Designed by a group of distinguished sociologists and social science researchers, the Black Census will capture a more precise and holistic picture of the issues affecting Black communities. Unlike the U.S. Census, which polls only for population count, the Black Census will be conducted online as well as through a coordinated on-the-ground, door-knocking effort. More here.
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|  | CA State Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate John Chiang with supporters at the CA Democratic Party convention on Saturday in San Diego. | |  | Adrianne Shropshire from BlackPAC, BET Network's Debra Lee, consultant DeJuana L. Thompson, and LaTosha Brown from Black Voters Matter at the Power Rising Summit in Atlanta. | |
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Politico Names Director of Engagement
Politico has named Annie Yu its Director of Engagement. Yu is currently an Audience Engagement Editor at the LA Times. She specializes in creating social, engagement and distribution plans for enterprise stories and investigative projects. Before joining the LAT, the Azusa Pacific University grad worked on audience engagement projects at ProPublica, reported for the Arizona Republic and the Orange County Register. The Bay Area native speaks Mandarin Chinese and is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association. A memo to staff said Yu "will oversee social media and work closely with editors across the newsroom to give our journalism maximum impact. She will also develop distribution strategies and drive off-platform storytelling." Congrats, Annie! More about her here.
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Diddy Names Head of Content for Revolt
Sean Combs’ Revolt Media & TV has tapped Robyn Lattaker-Johnson as Head of Content. In her new position, she will oversee programming, original development, content acquisitions, physical production and post-production for Revolt. Lattaker-Johnson, who will report directly to CEO Roma Khanna, will also be responsible for overseeing long-form video content for the company’s digital platforms. She will be charged with growing Revolt as a home for content and creators in unscripted, documentary, and lifestyle programming, all from the hip hop point of view. She also will build on Revolt’s current role as a co-production partner on Fox’s The Four with ITV America. Most recently, Lattaker-Johnson had her own management and consulting business, managing a roster of production companies, Executive Producers/showrunners, multi-camera directors, casting producers, composers, and unscripted content creators. She previously served as VP Alternative Programming at Syfy from 2010-2014, where she developed and oversaw series such as Face Off, Ghost Hunters, and Paranormal Witness. Before that, she served as SVP Original Programming at BET Networks. The University of Washington graduate earned her MFA at ArtCenter College of Design. More here.
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CUNY Tow-Knight for Entrepreneurial Journalism Welcomes 12 Fellows
The CUNY Tow-Knight for Entrepreneurial Journalism welcomed 12 Fellows who will develop ideas into living projects. Only one out of six applicants was selected. The Fellows include: Associated Press veteran Alicia Chang, who brings an open mind to questions about expanding the impact of science journalism; Hisashi Ayuzawa, who is learning from past citizen journalism experiments, and in between climbing some of the world’s tallest mountains has served in both business and editorial roles at the Asahi Shimbun; Hersh Patel, a technology entrepreneur aiming to equip middle market publications with data-science tools through his entrepreneurial venture Hindsight Technology Solutions; Natalie Cofield, Founder and CEO of Walker’s Legacy, a digital media platform designed to empower and connect a global network of enterprising and professional multicultural women; and Orlando Watson, a DC-based entrepreneur working at the intersection of media, technology, and civic engagement. The Center contends that the future of journalism will be shaped by entrepreneurs who develop new business models and innovative projects. The Center train students and mid-career journalists to build sustainable journalism ventures. Meet the other Fellows here.
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Pai Explores 5G Auction Plan
In a speech yesterday to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai laid out his ideas on how the U.S. would develop 5G wireless service. He said that the free market, not government, is best positioned to drive innovation and investment in the wireless sector, and that he would aim to auction two portions of the airwaves for next-generation wireless service this fall. However, in order to carry out this plan, Pai said that the FCC needs Congress to remove a bureaucratic barrier that could hinder the auctions; Congress must act by May 13th for all to proceed on schedule, he said. He concluded his talk with a defense of his rollback of net neutrality, saying that it has shifted from “preemptive regulation ... to targeted enforcement." More here.
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CA congressional candidate Dave Min with Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA) at the CA Democratic Party convention on Saturday in San Diego. | |  | Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) last week in Newark with young constituents watching Black Panther. #WakandaForever | |
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Obama Remarks at MIT Sports Conference Leaked
The outlet Reason published a recording of former President Barack Obama’s speech on Monday at a conference at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Those attending Obama’s speech at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference on Friday, including media covering the event, were banned from publicly sharing information about the address. During the speech, Obama said his administration “didn’t have a scandal that embarrassed us.” He said that while officials did make mistakes, there were no major controversies. “I know that seems like a low bar," Obama added, in an apparent jab to the scandals surrounding President Trump’s administration. Obama also broached the subject of the NCAA when asked what he’d do if he were commissioner of the NBA. “It’s not solely the NBA, but the need to create a well-structured D-league, so that the NCAA is not serving as a farm system for the NBA with a bunch of kids who are unpaid but are under enormous financial pressure. It’s just not a sustainable way of doing business,” POTUS44 said. “And then when everybody acts shocked that some kid from extraordinarily poor circumstances who’s got potentially 5 or 10 or 15 million dollars waiting for him is going to be circled by everybody, in a context in which people are making billions of dollars.” More here.
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FLOTUS Bae Heads to the Bay
Former First Lady Michelle Obama will be making her first 2018 trip to the Bay Area next month, when she speaks at the Oracle Arena on March 28th. The event will be a moderated conversation and will be followed by a question-and-answer session. The moderator has not yet been announced. The event is put together by Unique Lives & Experiences, a women’s lecture series. The series has hosted speeches and conversations with Jamie Lee Curtis, Maya Angelou, Gloria Steinem, Hillary Clinton, Sidney Poitier, and John Cleese. Shows this season include Geena Davis, Barbara Boxer, and Mia Farrow. Doors will open at 6P. It will be Obama’s first appearance in the Bay Area since November. Tickets go on sale today at 10A, starting at $93.50. Single front-row VIP seats are going for a base price of $3,150. Those interested must use the code MICHELLE. More here.
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Obama Presidential Center Clearing Roads and Driving Cost
Chicago officials say that proposed roadwork and underpass construction for the planned Obama Presidential Center will cost about $175 million. It’s the first time the city has given an estimate of the public cost of the privately funded center. The proposed changes include widening portions of South Lake Shore Drive and other streets, as well as building four to five new underpasses. Officials did not specify how they would fund the roadwork, saying that they are pursuing “all potential options,” including funding from the state of Illinois. The estimate comes in advance of a public meeting taking place today, where the Obama Foundation will discuss its latest plans. Foundation officials have said they want to break ground before the end of this year so the Center can open in 2021. The Center’s projected cost of construction is more than $300 million, with its overall cost estimated at $500 million. More here.
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Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) on Sunday meeting with Parkland, FL shooting survivors after a rally that attracted thousands in NJ. | |  |
Congresswoman Norma Torres (D-CA) speaking at the National Congress of American Indians conference last week about her bill, the Jobs for Tribes Act. | |
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Native Americans Weigh in on Farm Bill
The current U.S. farm bill, the centerpiece of the federal government's food and agricultural policies, was approved in 2014 and expires in September. The next farm bill has many unknowns and variables, but one thing is clear -- federal funding is limited, and not everyone is going to get everything they want. Native Americans are already weighing in with tribal recommendations. As Congress begins the process of reviewing the mammoth bill, staffers in the office of Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, said bi-partisan discussions on tribal recommendations that could be incorporated in the omnibus legislation or through supplemental bills are now taking place. Udall, along with Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Congresswoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) introduced the Tribal Nutrition Improvement Act, which provides funding and adds federally recognized tribes to the list of governments authorized to administer federal food programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The legislation would allow tribes to directly administer school food programs without having to go through state agencies. Though Trump’s proposed 2019 budget calls for large cuts to American Indian programs, tribes are still hopeful that their voices may be heard, citing several gains in the last farm bill and support from congressional leaders familiar with tribal issues. More here.
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DC Mayor Intros Bill Banning Bump Stocks
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) yesterday announced that she is introducing legislation to ban the possession, use, and sale of bump stocks in the District. If approved by the Council, the legislation would then be sent to Congress for the congressional review period. While devices used to accelerate the firing of semiautomatic rifles already are banned in DC, Bowser and others want to add bump stocks to a list of banned accessories and force an on-the-record discussion on the issue on Capitol Hill. “Americans are demanding common-sense action, and as leaders, we must listen and act. Bump stocks, which turn already dangerous weapons into lethal machines, have no place in our society,” said Bowser. “Trump said he may try to ban bump stocks without sending it to Congress. If the President won’t send a bump stock ban to Congress, we will.” More here.
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| FOMO Today, 9:30A: Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) co-hosts the Second Annual HBCU Fly-in: “Advancing Opportunity and Entrepreneurship.” House Administration Committee, Room 1310 Longworth HOB. Open to press. RSVP by emailing Scott_Press@scott.senate.gov.
Today, 10A: Former AG Eric Holder will sit down for a wide-ranging interview with Jonathan Capehart for his podcast, "Cape Up." Free. Click here to register.
Today, 6P: A screening of select scenes from the upcoming documentary film, TIME FOR ILHAN, documenting the election and journey of Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American Muslim legislator in the U.S. The event will also feature a discussion with activists working to elect more women and first-time candidates to office in 2018. Busboys & Poets, 625 Monroe Street, N.E. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, February 28th, 7:30P: The Annual Poynter Lecture presents Racial Justice & Religion in the Public Sphere, an evening with Joshua DuBois, sponsored by the Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars. Kay Spiritual Life Center, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information.
Thursday, March 1st, 6P: The Multicultural Media Correspondents Association launch reception, and the unveiling of AKUAREL the first-ever multicultural media stakeholder directory. Soul Hollywood, Los Angeles. Click here to RSVP.
Monday, March 5th, 5:30P: A reception and fundraiser for Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA). Kith/Kin Restaurant, The Intercontinental Hotel, 801 Wharf Street, S.W. RSVP to Brandon Neal, 202.714.3832 or Pylorus.Contact@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 6th, 12P: A lunch and reception honoring CA Attorney General Xavier Becerra. The City Club, South Flower Avenue, 51st. Floor, Los Angeles. RSVP to Elizabeth Tauro, 310.795.3977 or etauro@capstratca.com, or click here to RSVP online.
Tuesday, March 6th, 7P: The Brown Institute for Media Innovation at Stanford University welcomes NYT Executive Editor Dean Baquet as their third Media Innovator Series Speaker for 2017-2018. Free. Click here for more information and to register.
Thursday, March 8th, 6P: The Too Young to Wed Inaugural Gala on International Women’s Day, celebrating empowered former Boko Haram child brides Ya Kaka and Hauwa, as they share their journey from survivors to advocates. Journalist Ann Curry is among the hosts. Bathhouse Studios, 538 East 11th Street, NYC. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Friday, March 9th - Saturday, March 10th: The Progressive Caucus Center hosts the 2018 Strategy Summit. Baltimore, MD. Click here to register.
Tuesday, March 13th, 7P: The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials presents Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) with the 2018 Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service during the organization’s annual Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala in DC. JW Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, March 13th, 7:30P: National Geographic conversation, “Environmental Justice | What's Next?” Talia Buford, Robert Bullard, Jon Waterhouse, Mustafa Ali, and Adrianna Quintero on how the environmental justice movement must adapt in the face of a changing planet. National Geographic, Gilbert H. Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M Street, N.W. Click here for more.
Wednesday, March 14th, 9A: The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute sponsors the CHCI Energy Summit: A World in Transition. Newseum, 5 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, March 14th - Sunday, March 18th: The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation 7th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable Women of Power National Summit: Time for A Power Shift!!! Crystal City Marriott, 1999 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Friday, March 16th, 6P: The Greater Washington Urban League celebrates its 80th anniversary at the 46th annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Gala. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) will receive the COURAGE UNDER FIRE Impact Leadership Award. Congressman Lewis will also be interviewed by retired AMEX CEO Ken Chenault in a live, one-on-one discussion. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Thursday, March 22nd - Sunday, March 25th: The National Hispanic Medical Association 22nd Annual Conference, "Conquistando el Futuro: Clinicians Leading Latino Health Care.” Gaylord National, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD. Click here for more information and to register. Congressional staffers or federal government workers: email pmontenegro@nhmamd.org for a discount code.
Thursday, March 29th, 8P: Jazz, hip hop, and soul combine in August Greene, the newly formed supergroup featuring emcee Common, pianist and composer Robert Glasper, and percussionist and producer Karriem Riggins. Kennedy Center. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Thursday, April 12th - Sunday, April 15th: The inaugural Black Millennial Political Convention. The gathering aims to increase engagement of Black Millennials in the political sphere and shed a light on policy issues impacting the Black community. Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, April 18th, 6P: The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) 2018 Gala and Awards. Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. To purchase tickets, contact Heaven Ocampo, hocampo@maldef.org or 213.629.2512 ext. 143.
Wednesday, April 18th - Saturday, April 21st: The National Action Network hosts its annual conference, this year commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Sheraton Times Square, NYC. Click here for more information.
Thursday, April 19th: The University of North Dakota sponsors a conference on the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Standing Rock protests. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, April 25th - Friday, April 27th: The African American Mayor Association 2018 Annual Conference. DoubleTree Hotel, 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA. Click here to purchase tickets.
Saturday, July 7th - Tuesday, July 10th: The 2018 UnidosUS annual conference, DC. Click here for more information and to register.
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