Open Letter to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand: These are our Current Indivisible “non-negotiables.”

Dear Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand:

Thank you for what you have done in 2017 in order to defend New York against the Trump agenda. As 2017 ends, this letter sets out our current Indivisible “non-negotiables.”

As your constituent, I am asking you lead your Senate colleagues to take the following actions. I will be watching you to make sure you fight for all of them, and I will hold you accountable if you do not.

• Pass a clean DREAM Act — now. Commit to voting against a “continuing resolution” unless it contains one. In addition, please refuse the inclusion of any harmful, immigration enforcement add-ons to any agreements related to the passage of the DREAM Act, such as border security or other immigration policy measures.
• Support reauthorization of the CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) immediately, using a bipartisan approach. New York runs out of funding by March 2018.
• Refuse to vote for a spending bill that cuts funding to the EPA. The Senate Appropriations Committee has introduced an Interior Department and environment spending bill that slashes funding for the EPA by $150 million in 2018.
• Apply pressure to the FCC in order to protect net neutrality. Lead on developing or co-sponsoring a telecoms bill that makes sure net neutrality becomes law. Support Senator Markey’s CRA resolution, and insist on an investigation into the flawed public comment process. You must help vigorously enforce the 2015 Open Internet Order.
• Protect the tradition of “blue slips” for judicial nominees. Urge Chairman Grassley and Majority Leader McConnell to respect the blue slips process and halt proceedings on nominees unless home senators return them. No blue slips = no hearings.
• Protect our privacy and Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search by letting Section 702 expire. Co-sponsor the bipartisan USA RIGHTS Act, S. 1997, which sets out important reforms to better protect Americans against unconstitutional searches under 702.