Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/14
When they go low we get loud.
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.
There’s lots going on today, with the Hegseth confirmation hearings in full swing, a vote on the Laken Riley Act expected imminently, Jack Smith’s report out, and California still bracing for possible wind events. I have actions on some of this below, but I did also want to get you caught up on the upcoming reconciliation bill Republicans are planning, because it’s terribly important.
Rather than write about it at length myself I’ve decided to excerpt a passage from the Progressive Caucus’s recent newsletter; they are my go-to on such legislative and procedural matters. The below is from this week’s DC download (sadly there is no way to link to it directly):
Republicans hope to pass an expansive agenda, focusing on border policies, energy, and tax reforms through the budget reconciliation process, which allows bills to pass with a simple majority—that is, on a party-line—Senate vote. Speaker Johnson hopes to pass one single reconciliation bill by the end of April, but Senate Majority Leader Thune prefers two separate packages.
If Republicans follow Johnson’s plan, the process will likely take longer, as multiple committees will need to craft, debate, and approve provisions within one comprehensive bill. This approach would allow more time for public scrutiny, especially given that the tax proposals alone could add an estimated $4.6 trillion to the deficit, offset by steep cuts to public infrastructure.
Alternatively, splitting the agenda into two packages—separating tax policies from border and energy priorities—could increase the chances of passing at least one bill, especially with the looming expiration of key Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions. However, the slim GOP majority in the House (219 seats, requiring 218 votes to pass with a simple majority) poses challenges to both approaches. Cabinet appointments for Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Michael Waltz (R-FL), along with potential unforeseen absences, could further complicate vote counts.
Unity on even one package will be difficult, as Republicans face internal divisions over competing priorities. Contentious issues include state and local tax (SALT) deductions, raising the debt ceiling, and proposed cuts to popular programs, all of which must be reconciled to secure needed votes.
Spending Offsets
To offset the costs of their reconciliation bill, Republicans are proposing more than $5 trillion in cuts to several programs, including changes to Medicare, reversing the Biden Administration’s climate programs, cutting $151 billion in Affordable Care Act subsidies, instituting Medicaid work requirements and per capita caps, and slashing several programs Americans depend on for food assistance, like TANF ($15 billion) and SNAP ($22 billion).
Some GOP members may be hesitant to take votes reducing funding for health care, food assistance, clean energy investments, and other critical supports for working families and communities. Last August, a group of 18 House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Johnson urging him to protect clean energy tax credits from repeal. If this is any indication of the differing priorities of some Republican members, this could further complicate the path to 218 House votes and 51 Senate votes for their agenda.
As you can see, we have our work cut out for us ahead. We’ll be fighting on multiple fronts, and none of it will be easy. But remember, NOTHING Republicans want to do is popular. Quite the contrary. Americans, by wide margins, oppose giving rich people more tax cuts. They don’t want cuts to Medicare. They want more, not less, climate action. And so on.
Republicans know their policies are unpopular; they are relying on Americans’ remaining unaware of their plans. They assume they will be too busy watching Netflix to notice that they are being robbed blind; our job is to make sure that’s not the case. I’m ready if you are.
On that note, I hope some of you can make it to the “Make Meaning of the Moment” mass call later today. It’s so important to be in spaces together not just to strategize, but to remember our collective power.
And that power is massive—if we use it!
We have a lot on our plates, folks, but we absolutely must dig in. So let’s get to work one more time. Stay strong—remember, it’s when things are at their lowest that true heroes are formed.
You’re living proof of it.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I know the Senate is voting on two bills any minute now—S. 5 the Laken Riley Act and S. 9 the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. I oppose them both. The Laken Riley Act won’t make us safer—it’ll just enable ICE to deport undocumented people without due process. It’s a disaster. And S. 9 is a cowardly and cruel attack on trans people—I reject it completely and so should the Senator.
Finally, Pete Hegseth is wildly unqualified. His appointment would hurt the DOD, undermine our armed services, and greatly endanger Americans. It must be stopped. Please ask the Senator to oppose it. Thank you.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m deeply concerned and angered by Republican threats to hold aid for California hostage to a debt ceiling increase. It is immoral and repugnant. California is literally subsidizing the rest of the United States, red states in particular, through the federal budget. In 2022, the most recent year for which information is available, it paid $83 billion more to the federal government than it got back. How dare anyone withhold funds from them in their moment of need, or tie that aid to anything? Give California what they need, no strings attached. Thank you. [H/T]
[Bonus points if you call Speaker Johnson and say the same. (202) 225-4000]
Extra Credit ✅
The ERA Coalition is doing a mass action TODAY. Please join in!
The only way left to reach the White House seems to be via text comment, so let’s text President Biden at 302-404-0880 and say “Please publish the Equal Rights Amendment to cement your legacy as a true champion for gender equality! Thanks!'“
Get Smart! 📚
U.S. Border: Understanding the Guns and Immigration Link in 2025
Thursday, January 16, 2:00-3:00 PM EST
The incoming Trump administration is expected to take as-yet-unclear steps to “secure” the U.S.-Mexico border, deport millions of people living in the United States, and loosen controls on firearms. Many worry that this will lead to much greater human suffering, rather than greater security.
Join experts to discuss the connection between U.S. guns and immigration. Some of the topics to be addressed include: how the availability of firearms in the United States contributes to the illicit southern flow of weapons; Mexico’s legal actions to try to stem that flow; and how U.S.-sourced weapons create insecurity that drives migration.
Panelists:
John Lindsay-Poland, Coordinator, Stop US Arms to Mexico
Jonathan Lowy, Founder and President, Global Action on Gun Violence
Laura Vargas, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus
Give 💰!
The States Project is gathering close friends and community to talk about the year ahead. Join them on Thursday, January 23rd at 8pm ET to learn more about their 2025 electoral goals, what they’re doing to lay the groundwork for 2026, and how they are equipping state lawmakers around the country with the tools, training, and networks they need to effectively govern in this moment.
Sign up here—you can say you’re a member of the Chop Wood, Carry Statehouses Giving Circle.
Win Races! 🗳
[H/T Downtown Nasty Women Social Group]
On February 1, there will be an election to determine the new leader of the DNC. This is an INCREDIBLY important position. As in, make or break. To say that I support WisDem’s Chair Ben Wikler is an understatement. Please help him win using the list below.
Read Ben's Platform to Unite, Fight & Win.
Ben's Team has asked us to amplify him on social media:
Please Follow him on Bluesky, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads and repost him!Use the digital toolkit to post for Ben on all social outlets
Sign the Grassroots Choice Letter endorsing Ben
Sign Robert Reich's petition to the 448 voting members of the DNC endorsing Ben
Donate and Help Fundraise for him
DNC Forums:
Tues, Jan 14, 8pm: The Chorus DNC Chair Forum RSVP
Thurs, Jan 16, evening: In-person ONLY in Detroit. RSVP
Thursday, Jan 16, 1:30pm: DNC Officer Election Forum live-streamed on the DNC’s YouTube Channel, and POLITICO’s YouTube Channel.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators] [Text SIGN PGBCNU to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
I’m writing to ask the Senator to support the newly introduced “Extend the TikTok Deadline Act” from Senator Markey. This bill will delay the banning of TikTok for 270 days, giving Congress time to seek ways to address TikTok’s problems without banning it altogether.
This ban will harm millions of Americans who either make their living or get vital information on TikTok. It’s an assault on free speech and got passed a without ample debate. Delay it, please! Pass Markey’s bill! Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
When I called my (MAGA) Congresswoman today, after asking her to oppose the idea of combining debt ceiling increase with aid to Californians suffering from the fire emergency, I noted to the woman who answered my call that it seemed wrong to me that a woman would shake the hand of a rapist and convicted felon and announce her pride in having him as the most public representative of our country's government. From her tone of voice, I don't think she'd ever thought of it in those terms before. Making legislative staffers uncomfortable with the positions their bosses are taking is another way of instigating change.
Still time to call your Senators TODAY while Hegseth hearings are in progress ! I’ve called Rick Scott’s DC office numerous times and today is the FIRST time I got a live person.(Rubio has left the building and unable to leave messages)
Per Simon Rosenberg..” Let me explain how the calls play here in DC. Senators will be asking each other today "how are the calls coming in?" If there is an absence of negative calls, it will encourage them to go forward with the nomination. They need to feel like there is concern, that it is registering and breaking through back home. And yes, call the DC offices if you can.”