Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/27
One. Day. At. A. Time!
Hi, all, and happy Monday.
Hope you got some downtime this weekend. It’s more important than ever to take breaks from the news, get off of social media, and “go where it’s warm” in order to maintain mental health, isn’t it? To that end, I hope you were able to read something uplifting, or see a good movie, or have a meal with friends, or play with a kitten, or hug a loved one, or anything else of the sort. I’ve found that doing something to help someone else is the most medicinal, so I’ve been trying to keep busy that way. We still have lots of struggling people here in L.A., sadly, so opportunities abound. I’m not glad for all of the suffering, but I am glad I have someone to think about other than you-know-who.
Anyway. However you found them, I hope you had moments of peace. But now it’s time to return to work!
There are more terrible nominees coming up for a vote this week, unfortunately, and even if we feel discouraged by Pete Hegseth’s confirmation—ugh!—we must keep going to try to stop some of them. My understanding is that Tulsi Gabbard may be stoppable, and Kash Patel is a possibility as well. RFK Jr. is going to be a stretch—astonishingly, even some Democratic lawmakers are considering supporting him—but again, we have to try. We may not succeed, but the effort is really critical. So try we will.
Again, I want to remind you of what Indivisible keeps saying—because it really bears repeating. That is that right now is the absolute hardest time. Trump is at his most popular, consequences haven’t yet started piling up, and his followers still believe he’s going to do something to help them. He feels emboldened, the opposition is in disarray, and the Democratic party is currently leaderless. All of this—or at least the latter two—will change quickly. Trump’s popularity, too, will start to plummet as Americans watch him execute his absolutely despicable agenda. We have to remember this and hold fast until the shift starts to come. Two things can be true at the same time: This is an awful, very bad, almost unbearable moment. AND it will pass. Everything does.
All we need is the strength to get through the day we’re in, my friends. We don’t have to deal with tomorrow yet. So let’s take a deep breath, remember what—and who—we’re fighting for, and get back to work one more time.
Alone, this is too much. Together we can do this. Never forget it.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[First, if a Republican other than McConnell, Collins, or Murkowski say:]
I’m calling to say, first, that I’m disgusted that the Senator voted to confirm Pete Hegseth. Our servicemembers will suffer for it and we will look weak on the world stage. Americans are literally less safe because of this vote. It’s shameful.
[If Democrat or McConnell, Collins, or Murkowski say:]
First I’m calling to thank the Senator for voting against Pete Hegseth. We really need the Senate to push back against unqualified nominees and I’m so glad to see that s/he was on the right side of this vote. Please keep doing the right thing and we will have your back.
[Then add to all:]
Also, I am 100% opposed to the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard, a dangerous and unqualified pick to run the NSA, Kash Patel, a January 6 apologist who supports violent criminals and wants to terrorize Trump’s enemies, and RFK Jr., an anti-vaxxer whose confirmation will almost definitely cost lives. I’m furious that we even have to be calling about these terrible nominees. Will the Senator commit to voting no on all three? Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I understand that Senate Democrats introduced a resolution to condemn Trump's blanket pardons of rioters found guilty of assaulting police officers in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Has the House introduced a similar resolution and if so will the Congressmember sign onto it? I am furious about those pardons; I want to see consequences. A resolution isn’t nearly enough but it should be the bare minimum. Please make sure it happens. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Last week, federal employees were given an email address to use to report coworkers who might be working to support “diversity, equity, and inclusion” in the workplace. Since then, federal employees, activists, and concerned citizens have been flooding the email inbox with everything from song lyrics, to porn, to The Bee Movie script - making it impossible to navigate.
Protest can take many forms and under this new administration it will remain imperative to get creative. In that spirit, below are a list of government reporting email addresses. Have fun and clog those inboxes!
List of Agencies & emails
Where to report DEI contractors - DEIAtruth@opm.gov
Where to report undocumented people - ICEOPRIntake@ice.dhs.gov
DOGE Recommendations - doge@mail.house.gov
Oh, and fwiw MailBait will let you sign up a single email address for dozens of subscriptions. (:
[H/T Creators Congress]
Lawyers Needed! 👩🏽⚖️
Attorneys, this one’s for you. Your skills can help protect immigrant families from unjust deportations and ensure they receive the legal support they deserve by volunteering to provide virtual counsel and advice or representing a family or youth in immigration proceedings. The Immigration Advocates Network connects attorneys with opportunities to assist those in need, offering guidance every step of the way. Sign up to volunteer and be a lifeline for vulnerable communities.
Get Smart! 📚
Electric vehicles are needed more than ever, but the popular federal EV tax credits are at risk! These credits have made EVs more affordable, unlocking benefits like reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower maintenance costs for drivers, improved local air quality, and less noise pollution.
Join Climate Action Now and Robert Hubbell on Wednesday, January 29, from 7-8 pm ET for the Save the EV Tax Credits Action Party. Robert will moderate an expert panel discussing the current situation, and the Climate Action Now team will guide you in taking action to protect the EV tax credits.
Register now for the Wednesday, January 29th Climate Action Party from 7-8 pm ET: https://bit.ly/SaveTheEVTaxCredits
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
The president has vowed to prioritize mass deportations of aspiring Americans residing in this country. Many community members and families are living in fear of ICE raids and targeting. We can support our neighbors in this tense time by learning and sharing the rights that all of us have, regardless of status or citizenship.
Please spread the word about United We Dream’s Know Your Rights cards on social media, via email, or by printing them out for distribution.
Give 💰!
Organizations providing legal aid, direct support, and sanctuary to immigrants are on the front lines right now. They need our help. If you can, please consider donating to the National Immigration Law Center (or an organization of your choosing). Feel free to drop other recommendations into the comments.
Win Races! 🗳
The Center For Common Ground is “going north again” for the Wisconsin Supreme Court Race!
They will:
Cover the postcard campaign launching on January 31.
Go over where and when we will make calls into Wisconsin.
Hear from Wisconsin-based leaders Norma Balentine from Souls to the Polls, WI, and community organizer Davina Jones.
Come learn more about why this election is important and how you can help CFCG mobilize Black voters in Wisconsin.
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
Join a webinar with Dr. Jeremy Porter, Head of Climate Implications, and Matthew Eby, Founder and CEO, as they present the findings from "Property Prices in Peril," the 12th National Risk Assessment by First Street. The report reveals critical insights into the escalating impact of climate change on the U.S. housing market, insurance costs, and regional economic stability. In light of the recent reports from the US Treasury, the Senate Budget Committee, as well as the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the wildfires in Los Angeles, this research couldn’t be more timely.
Register here.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PRQBOR to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
During his recent visit to disaster areas in California and North Carolina, and during subsequent interviews, President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold federal disaster aid unless California and other states make policy changes that could effect voting, water management, and more.
This is immoral and disgusting. Whether aiding Alaska, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, or Wyoming – all states that have had federal disasters declared in the last six months – or any other state, the principles behind the Federal Emergency Management Administration are the same. We aid Americans in their time of need, regardless of their political leanings.
Equally important, if Trump is going to break this norm then Congress should expect it to be broken under a future Democratic administration. Imagine:
– conditioning aid to Louisiana after a hurricane unless the state phases out the fossil fuel industry which is making storms more frequent and intense.
– conditioning aid to Florida on state expanded voting rights or access to abortion.
– Conditioning aid to Texas on the state accepting Medicaid expansion from the federal government too.
If a Democratic president proposed attaching conditions to federal disaster money it would be denounced by a majority of this Congress in a matter of moments. What Donald Trump is proposing is no different. It’s wrong. It’s immoral. And it’s un-American.
I call on every member of this Congress to immediately denounce conditions on disaster aid to California or anywhere else.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I think we need to reward good behavior. I’m going to be calling senators, Collins, Murkowski, and McConnell to thank them for their vote against Hegseth, and encourage them to continue to take their advise and consent role seriously.
I know there's lots to be concerned about right now but the firing of the IGs Friday night should not be allowed. I added a note to my Senator that I want to see the Senate enforcing the law on this one.