Chop Wood, Carry Water 3/12
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday!
My, what a busy week. We’ve got negotiations in progress on a second tranche of appropriations bills, continued back-and-forth about Ukraine funding (and maybe a border bill), an imminent House vote on a TikTok ban, last night’s RNC “bloodbath,” Robert Hur’s somewhat contradictory testimony on the Hill, and Trump finally admitting he’s coming for Social Security.
And that’s just some of what happened…in the last 24 hours.
Folks, it’s an incredibly noisy news environment. The potential for overwhelm is huge. So please, remember to breathe. To take breaks for human contact. To eat enough. To dwell on good news where you find it. To observe social media pauses. To seek out news filtered, as Robert Hubbell puts it, “through a lens of hope.”
And when in doubt remember to take action.
The second we’re in action the noise recedes. We recall our purpose. We’re in the solution. Our shoulders drop, our face relaxes, and our backs tend to straighten. Our anxiety recedes.
Our determination strengthens.
And as a result we are fueled to more action. Which soothes us more. And takes us further. And—you guessed it!—changes the course of history.
So that someday, thanks in part to our hard work, we get back to a better news cycle.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I understand that funding to continue the Affordable Connectivity Program was not included in the first budget bill signed this weekend. That means that unless Congress funds it in the second set of appropriations bills broadband will become unaffordable for most. That can’t happen. Broadband is a basic need—every American should have access to it. Please, please fund this program in the second budget bill. Thanks. [H/T Rogan's List]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I understand that funding to continue the Affordable Connectivity Program was not included in the first budget bill signed this weekend. That means that unless Congress funds it in the second set of appropriations bills broadband will become unaffordable for millions of Americans. That can’t happen. Broadband is a basic need—every American should have access to it. Please, please fund this program in the second budget bill. Thanks. [H/T
]Also, we HAVE TO pass Ukraine funding. Please ask the Congressmember to either pressure Speaker Johnson to bring the Senate bill to the floor or sign on to Rep. Fitzpatrick’s discharge petition—I hear he has tweaked his bill to make it more appealing. I don’t care how you get it done, but for God’s sake, get it done!
Extra Credit ✅
MoveOn just launched a website to pull back the curtain on No Labels as a spoiler for Trump. Check out ExposeNoLabels.com and share it with everyone you know! The threat they pose is real.
Also, please sign MoveOn’s petition demanding that No Labels stand down.
Get Smart! 📚
On Thursday (tomorrow) please join Field Team Six for their second annual Register Democrats Summit. The summit brings together the best and brightest minds from elected officials to tech leaders to grassroots organizers and so much more. It goes all day!
Confirmed speakers and panelists include Robert Hubbell, Simon Rosenberg, Amanda Litman, Senator Jacky Rosen, and honestly so many incredible people that you just need to look at the list. WOW! Also I’m speaking at 3:15PT.
Spread the Word! 📣
I know I’m coming across like an Antonia Scatton fangirl, but her piece today on positive messaging is just so great. It’s critically important for us to talk not just about what we oppose as Democrats (and left leaners) but what we SUPPORT! Antonia explains how best to frame our values, and why it’s important for us to do so.
Give 💰!
Sign up for Sister District's final State Bridges fundraiser for four amazing grassroots organizations in Arizona and Pennsylvania on Wednesday, March 13th at 5pm PT / 8pm ET!
This year, Sister District is supporting Rural Arizona Action, LUCHA, Pennsylvania United and Pennsylvania Stands Up. These organizations collectively knocked on over 750,000 doors, and made over 700,000 phone calls in Arizona and Pennsylvania in 2022. They organize year round and will be playing a critical role in 2024.
Register here. Can't make it? Donate here instead.
Win Races! 🗳
Are you passionate about Michigan? How about defending democracy and ensuring fair, inclusive elections? Join Run For Something in recruiting progressive local election administrators in Michigan!
On Wednesday, March 13, at 5pm ET / 2pm PT, they’re texting voters across Michigan to encourage them to run for local election administrator positions.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all three reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PEBQCM to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
At tremendous cost to taxpayers and people with Medicare, the government has overpaid Medicare Advantage plans tens of billions of dollars for more than a decade and is projected to overpay them more than $1 trillion in the next decade.
Just as the government recoups overpayments to individuals it should be recouping Medicare Advantage overpayments, not rewarding them with greater revenues. In addition to driving up costs for everyone with Medicare, it is eroding the Medicare Trust Fund.
I urge you to reduce Medicare Avantage rates to a level commensurate with Traditional Medicare and recoup all overpayments. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Thanks for the shout out! The Affordable Connectivity program is essential for so many of our citizens.
Affordable Connectivity ends in April if our representatives and senators don't act so I hope enough if us call and email them to have enough impact to persuade them to extend the funding. Thanks for including the situation in your daily news!