Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/27
In the fight!
Hi, all, and happy Thursday!
And it is happy. Why? Because you’re here with me, and you’re ready to take action. That’s fantastic! There’s literally no higher calling than fighting fascism in the United States right now—the future of democracy itself is contingent upon whether or not we succeed. So is global security. So is climate stability. So hello, heroes. It’s an honor to be here with you.
Yesterday we saw Republicans behave in a shockingly—if not surprisingly—dishonest fashion. How? Constituents who called their GOP House representatives to complain about the budget resolution received the same canned response, almost verbatim, from every staffer:
“Republicans are not cutting Medicaid. You’ve been misinformed. Medicaid cuts are not a line item in the resolution.”
I heard this from so many people that I spent yesterday evening making a video explaining exactly why this is BS and how folks should respond. I was aided in this by the New York Times, which published a great breakdown of why Medicaid cuts are basically inevitable under Republicans’ budget resolution.
The long and short of it is that this resolution is deliberately vague on specific cuts, but very clear when it comes to which committees have to find the cuts. When Energy and Commerce, then, is told that it must eliminate 880B in spending, there is literally nowhere else under their jurisdiction that they can find that money—except for Medicare or Medicaid. Since Trump has promised not to touch Medicare (a dubious claim) that leaves Medicaid to take the hit. It’s simple math.
Republicans are assuming that Americans don’t understand how the legislative process works. They’re hoping constituents will be silenced by their disingenuous responses. Fortunately—or unfortunately for them—we do understand how this process works and we are going to make sure they know it!
Because understanding how the “sausage-making” process works in Congress is especially important right now, I highly recommend subscribing to the Progressive Caucus Center’s “Unrig the Rules” newsletter. Catherine Rowland, the author, is brilliant at explaining complicated Congressional procedures in easy-to-understand ways. Much of what I pass on to you I learn from her. She, and her newsletter, are indispensable resources.
Catherine will also be a panelist at a briefing hosted by the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, Indivisible, and the National Women's Law Center next week. It’s called “Reconciliation Rundown: Understanding the Basics of Budget Reconciliation." They’ll be breaking down what you need to know about reconciliation—the process Republicans are using to pass this budget bill—and what it means for you. They’ll explain why this process matters, discuss history’s lessons learned, and answer YOUR questions! It’s on Thursday, March 6 at 2 PM ET. You can register here! (For organization just write “Chop Wood, Carry Water!)
Another indispensable resource, of course, is Indivisible. In their email this morning they reminded us that this budget fight will drag out for months. The Senate must first adopt House Republicans’ framework—if they’re willing to do so—and then the whole body needs to hammer out the specifics of the cuts included. At that point Republicans will no longer be able to hide their vicious intentions, and the resulting outcry will be of epic proportions. Indivisible is already planning a week of action from March 15-23, which is when Congress next goes on recess. Get ready for big in person actions then in all 50 states. Republicans are going to wish they’d never gone into politics!
Until then let’s keep up the pressure. There’s a lot going on, and it’s easy to get distracted or disheartened. But remember, we already have them back on their heels and we’re only just getting started. Our numbers are growing, even Trump voters are raising the alarm, and the entire world, literally, is with us. (OK, most of it. Putin and his buddies are celebrating.)
So I’ll end where I started. I’m incredibly honored to be in this fight with you. I’m overjoyed that so many of you are joining the battle. And, while I grieve and abhor the suffering that will happen in the the interim, I know without doubt that we will win in the end.
Now let’s get to work.
P.S. —Don’t forget tomorrow’s economic blackout! Don’t buy anything unless it’s at a small business! Plan accordingly!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
Please ask the Senator to vote NO on Linda McMahon for Secretary of Education. I’m terrified she will dismantle the Department of Education and harm lower-income kids, children with disabilities, and LGBTQ youth. She’s unqualified to do the job and has been accused of enabling the sexual abuse of children. Vote no.
Also, I understand that fired federal workers are attempting to meet with Senators today to ask them to fight to get their jobs back. I also hear that many Senators are turning them away. What the heck? I want the Senator to meet with these fired workers and help them. Musk isn’t saving us money. He’s dismantling our system of government and selling it for parts, and if Congress doesn’t stop him their jobs will be next. Do something, now. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
[If GOP]
Republicans are now saying that they won’t cut Medicaid—that Medicaid cuts are “not a line item” in the resolution they just voted on. But my question is this: since House Republicans’ budget resolution requires the Energy and Commerce Committee to cut 880 billion dollars, and since the vast majority of that Committee’s jurisdiction is over Medicare and Medicaid, where, exactly, will that 880B come from if not from Medicaid? According to the New York Times “Even if the committee cuts everything that’s not health care to $0, it will still be more than $600 billion short.” Are Republicans going to cut Medicare to get to 880B? Or are they just hoping that Americans don’t understand the budgeting process? Because I do, and I think Republicans are lying to the American people. I’d like my answer in writing. Thanks.
[If Democrat]
I’m calling to ask Democrats to hold together and not give Republicans an inch of help with funding the government by March 14. The only way Democrats should yield is if they first extract major concessions from Republicans, including requiring Trump to comply with all court orders, reversing DOGE’s disastrous cuts, and getting Elon Musk out of our government. Otherwise don’t lift a finger to help them. This is a coup and we need to fight them with everything we’ve got. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
If you are represented by Republicans in the House and/or Senate…
Indivisible has set up tools to help you easily contact them in opposition to this budget proposal.
Email your Republican Senator >>
Email your Republican Representative >>
Be sure you personalize!
Extra Extra Credit for CA subscribers! ☀️
I’m partnering with a couple of big environmental orgs to try to push the CA legislature to pass a “Polluters Pay” bill similar to the ones recently passed in NY and VT. If you live in California please sign our petition asking them to do so—we’re trying to get to 100K signatures. Thanks!
Get Smart! 📚
A Conversation with Congressman Jamie Raskin, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury & former Acting OPM Administrator Rob Shriver. Saturday, March 1 at 1:00pm EST
Hosted by Women Forward (formerly Women For Harris).
This dynamic trio will give us an behind-the-scenes overview of the state of affairs in Washington and most importantly how we can take action with our representatives in the fight for democracy.
They have timely information that they want to share after this week's votes and before the 2025 Joint Session of Congress next Tuesday.
Give 💰!
I’ve talked many times about my love of Run For Something, an amazing organization specifically focused on helping young people run for office up and down the ballot.
Well, they recently announced that over 20K new young people have signed up with them to run for office since Trump was elected—TWENTY THOUSAND! That’s a huge influx of people, and RFS needs funds to help them all. This is one of the single best places to put your money right now.
Let’s give Run For Something a boost! A generous donor (and CWCW reader) has agreed to match all donations made up to $10,000. You can double your gift today!
Please give here if you can—let’s make this match!
Win Races—Pennsylvania!! 🗳
There’s a Special Election for State Senate 36 in PA on March 25th!
East Petersburg mayor James Andrew Malone is running to flip this seat! Let's keep the pressure on the GOP and show them how vulnerable they are!
Grab Your Wallet!
This seemed especially fitting in light of tomorrow’s economic blackout.
One of you posted an excellent article in the comments yesterday about breaking up with Amazon. I did it years ago—I’ve been boycotting them since 20217—and I feel quite passionately about it. But I’ve never sat down to put into words all the reasons why. This woman did.
She also put together a set of tips for how to make this boycott doable for most people (if you can’t quit Amazon because of where you live or due to having a disability, please disregard. This isn’t aimed at you!)
Please read and share!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your HOUSE rep] [H/T] [Text SIGN PFHLEY to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
I understand that a bipartisan group of lawmakers has just reintroduced the Dream and Promise Act — a bill that could provide more than two million Dreamers, DACA recipients, and TPS holders with a pathway to citizenship. This bill would be a huge step forward at a critical moment for communities across the U.S. and I strongly support it.
For more than 12 years, we have all witnessed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program, become an overwhelming success: it has allowed nearly a million Dreamers to work legally, support their families, and contribute more fully to nearly every sector of our economy, free from the threat of deportation. But DACA was never intended as a permanent solution. Congressional action was always needed, but tragically Congress still has not passed legislation.
Meanwhile, the DACA program remains under threat and could be ended by the Supreme Court. Without Congress passing legislation, all Dreamers and DACA recipients are at risk.
The Dream and Promise Act is a common-sense, bipartisan solution that would strengthen families, grow our economy, and honor the contributions of Dreamers, DACA recipients, and TPS holders. Business leaders, community advocates, and an overwhelming majority of Americans agree — it’s well past time to get this done. Please act now to protect individuals and families from deportation and stop the harm to our economy. Pass the Dream and Promise Act! Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I think the Medicaid issue is (deliberately) confusing. From my understanding there will not be a line item that says “Medicaid” with a $ amt beside it. Rather it’s the way they are going to distribute funds to States-imposing per capita caps, block grant funding based on a formula or lowering the federal match. Any of these will cause budget shortfalls at the State level and the States will then have to figure out how to cover the costs or make cuts. So at the federal level they are able to say they are not making cuts-eventually the States will
Today, feeling as dark as the skies about my suburban, PA, home I decided that the only way to finally move would be to leave a voice mail thank you for the truly very spectacular Chrissy Houlahan, our D Rep. I couldn't get through my thank you without sobbing. But it felt good to be able to thank someone in government for comprehensive communications, crowded and informed town halls, her support of the appropriate world order, and her voting for all the right bills. There are still good people in DC.