Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/25
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
I want to get this newsletter out fast, so this is going to be a short opening. Why? There’s a lot going on today. Most importantly, House Republicans are about to vote on their awful budget resolution and I want you to get on the phones and tell them no way!
The latest update from Punchbowl is encouraging, but only moderately so. The good news is that Johnson is definitely struggling to get all of his members to support the budget resolution. He’s supposedly already lost four votes. The bad news is that he thinks he can get them back. Whether this is true is really up to us.
Per Punchbowl:
There appear to be several solid GOP no’s: Reps. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.). House Republican leadership seems to think some of these are flippable, although, at this point, we don’t see that happening.
But the pressure from Trump, Musk, and others will be intense. After all, rich people REALLY want these tax cuts. Republican leaderships’ latest tactic is to tell their members that they should just vote yes on the resolution because it doesn’t commit them to passing the final bill. But, as Punchbowl explains, “The problem with this argument is that the Republicans opposed to the budget resolution don’t want to cement a framework with which they disagree.”
Exactly right. Because remember, once the framework has been solidified the cuts are inevitable.
Our goal, then, is to keep these four Republicans at no, and add many more. That’s why we need to hit the phones now, and hard.
And we don’t just need to call Republicans. Democrats in the House are having what Punchbowl calls “attendance issues.” As many as 5 could be missing for tonight’s vote. This is absolutely unacceptable, as it could make it possible for Republicans to lose several members and still pass the resolution. So when you call your Democratic reps please make sure you push them to BE THERE for these votes. It’s the bare minimum we can expect from them.
I’ve got separate scripts for you below depending on whether you have a Republican or Democratic House rep. Use them early today—the first vote is soon!—and please consider sharing them with a few friends in your district. Remember, people will generally take an action if you make it easy for them. Remind your friends that Musk is trying to pay for his own tax cuts with your health care. Text them your representative’s district office phone number and the script. You’ll be surprised at how many people will call!
One last thing: if you’re around later today and still using Meta I’m doing an Instagram Live with Catherine Rowland from the Progressive Caucus Center. We’ll be talking about the budget fight, where we’re at with it, and what it all means for us. Info below!
OK. Much to do, and so little time. Let’s get to work!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I'm calling to demand that the Senator oppose DOGE’s plan to fire up to 76,000 Department of Defense civilian workers—a move that flagrantly violates Title 10 and endangers our national security. Please take immediate action to stop these reckless layoffs and protect our military readiness.
Thank you for your time and consideration. [H/T]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling to ask that the Congressmember stop enabling Trump’s power grab and pass a responsible budget that serves the public—not billionaires. No cuts to health care, public education, and food assistance. No poison pill riders attacking abortion rights, LGBTQ+ protections, and immigrant communities. And no allowing Trump and Musk to hijack federal funds and override congressional spending decisions. This is not responsible governance—it’s corruption. Will the representative commit to rejecting any budget that allows Trump to override government spending and attack working families? [H/T Indivisible]
[If Democrat]
Republicans are pushing a disastrous budget bill that slashes essential programs and hands Trump and Elon Musk the power to override Congress and seize control of government spending. Democrats cannot enable this. First, I want to make sure the Congressmember will be present for this vote today—because I’m hearing that Democrats are having attendance issues. Please ask him/her to be there.
Second, I want the representative to publicly push for a government funding deal that rejects extreme funding cuts and MAGA poison pills AND includes real, ironclad protections to stop Trump and Musk from hijacking federal spending. Until Republicans agree to those terms, Democrats shouldn’t support anything beyond a clean, two-week continuing resolution to keep the government running. While Trump and Musk continue their illegal takeover House Democrats need to fight back with every tool they have. That means holding accountability hearings, issuing subpoenas, and using every procedural tool possible to slow, expose, and block this power grab. Can I count on [Representative] to hold the line? [H/T Indivisible]
Extra Credit ✅
Were you at a Tesla protest this weekend? Do you plan on attending one THIS weekend? (I’m going to this one!) Check out the Tesla Takedown website for information about an upcoming protest near you, and learn how to plan one if it doesn’t already exist!
It’s a great website with lots of great information about why taking Tesla down is both totally possible and SO important. So check it out at teslatakedown.com.
Extra EXTRA credit: share the website with 5 friends!
Get Smart! 📚
At 3PM PT / 6PM ET today I’ll be doing an Instagram Live with Catherine Rowland from the Progressive Caucus Center. We’ll be talking about Republicans’ budget and tax cut plans. It should be a lively and informative conversation.
I know lots of you are boycotting Meta, and I respect that. But those who aren’t are invited to hop on at 3PM PT / 6PM ET and listen to our conversation. And bring your questions! Catherine is an absolute wealth of information, so it should be great! You can find me on Instagram here.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
I’m going to post this DemCast toolkit for a second day in a row, because honestly it’s that good. There are so many excellent clips in it—especially if you scroll down past those for individual lawmakers. There are loads of clips of great Democratic representatives making fiery speeches about how awful this bill is, but no one will hear them if we don’t amplify their voices.
So please, even if you did it yesterday, go back in today and pick another clip to share. And add to your post a plea for people to call their representatives to demand that Republicans not pass this awful budget bill. Thanks!
Win Races! 🗳
On March 11, there's a critical Special Election for MN House of Representatives District 40B to restore the chamber to a 67-67 tie. SO IMPORTANT!
This race was rescheduled from earlier this year.
Can't volunteer? Donate here!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators] [H/T Jonathan Margolis] [Text SIGN PWWJTO to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
I’m horrified by Trump’s purge of our military. It’s un-American, corrupt, and dangerous.
I want the Senator to announce that they will place a hold on any nomination to replace the purged officers and organize a filibuster to prevent the replacement of those officers. This goes beyond party lines. It’s simply the only patriotic thing to do.
I also call upon the Senator to oppose the dismissals of the Judge Advocate Generals by immediately announcing that they will place a hold on any nomination to replace those officers, and to organize and participate in a filibuster to block them.
We must not have MAGA loyalists placed in those seats. Shut the conformation process down until the purged officers are restored. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
which dems may be absent? would like to focus on them...
I’m attending a Tesla Takedown Protest this Saturday near San Antonio! This is sponsored by the Boerne Democrats of Kendall County.