Chop Wood, Carry Water 4/30
Wednesday mini-edition
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday!
No real newsletter today, but I did want to send out a couple of important odds and ends, and also remind you about my Instagram Live with N.J. gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill at 1:10 PM PT / 4:10PM ET today — you can find it by logging on to Instagram at that time (for those of you who have it) and going to my @jesscraven101 account.
Mikie just published an excellent Op-Ed about Trump’s first 100 days and her vision for Democrats going forward. It’s worth a read. I think she’s a really strong candidate—and this race is important! The election is in November, just like Virginia’s is. These are off-year elections with an outsized impact; we need to make sure we win them.
Also, a bit of good news you may not have heard: Mohsen Mahdawi has been released on bail. Kudos to Vermont Rep. Rebecca Balint, from whose state he hails, for her tireless efforts on his behalf. There are many more disappeared people to be freed, but let’s celebrate this win loudly. Of course Mahwadi will still have to defend himself in court, but he’ll have an edge there, since his right to free speech—no matter how much anyone disagrees with it—is enshrined in the Constitution.
OK, all. I’ll be back tomorrow with a full newsletter. Have a great day!
Call Your Senators
And tell them to support S.J. Res 49 to reverse Trump’s tariffs! The vote is coming any minute. Just say:
My name is _____ and I’m a constituent from [zip.] I want the Senator to vote yes on SJ Res 49 when it comes up for a vote this week. Trump is abusing his tariff powers and it’s going to bankrupt our country— just as he bankrupted so many businesses. It’s Congress’ job to take control back and I expect them to do so. I’ll be watching this vote closely. Thanks.
You might add:
Also, I’m thrilled to hear that Mohsen Mahdawi has finally been released on bail. The same must happen immediately for all of the others disappeared by Trump, none of whom has had the due process accorded to them by our Constitution. Please continue to fight for the release of Mahmoud Khalil, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and all the others. Either we have a Constitution or we don’t—at which point you’re out of a job. Thanks.
Get Smart!
Interested in healthcare advocacy? The below event on Friday at 9AM PT /12PM ET will be hosted by Katelyn Jetelina, the amazing author of
. It should be great.From her:
It often feels like health policy decisions are made behind closed doors, far away from where we live, work, and raise our families. But the truth is: your voice matters more than you think.
Join me and a powerhouse panel of former top health policy staffers from across the political spectrum — Dana McLaughlin (former Biden White House), Amanda Campbell (former lead staffer for Tom Price and the House Budget Committee), and Jess Pavel (former staffer for Mitt Romney) — for a candid, inside look at how health policy really gets decided… and how real people like you can make a real difference.
In just 60 minutes, you’ll learn:
-How to find the right person to contact — and exactly what to say.
-How to advocate effectively even if you're not a "policy expert."
-What works (and what doesn't) when trying to sway policymakers, including those you don't agree with.
-Real-life examples of citizen advocacy that changed the course of major health decisions.
-What’s happening right now with federal health budgets — and why your engagement is critical.
This will be a practical, hopeful conversation about action, connection, and the real power of citizens — like you — at a moment when it matters most.
Read This!
I’m a big fan of Waging Nonviolence—it’s a must-subscribe for people in my line of work. This week they posted the below article in their “Recommended Reading” section. It’s so good. Highly recommend!
Send a Resistbot Letter to your HOUSE Rep. about Global Health funding!
[to your HOUSE Rep] [H/T] [Text SIGN PYDDBS to 50409 to send}
The Trump Administration has launched a brutal attack on global health with little resistance from Congress. You have an opportunity to push back, and as my representative I want you to.
Please join two House Republicans, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Maria Salazar (R-FL) and two House Democrats, Reps. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) and Jim McGovern (D-MA) in signing a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs.
The letter, which is slated to close on May 9th, asks for robust funding in fiscal year 2026 (FY ’26) for Maternal and Child Health which includes funding for the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) and for Nutrition.
For 2025 Congress appropriated $915 million for Maternal and Child Health of which $300 million was for GAVI and an additional $165 million for Nutrition for a total of $1.08 billion in funding. Please support fully funding these programs by siging the bipartisan letter today. The link to sign is here: https://results.org/wp-content/uploads/FY26-House-MCH-Gavi-and-Nutrition-Dear-Colleague.pdf
Thanks.
Finally, Send Coleman Rogers’ Resistbot opposing cuts to Medicaid Expansion funding!
The text of the letter is here. Send it by texting SIGN PYIAQS to 50409.
OK, all that’s it for today! YOU’RE HELPING TO SAVE DEMOCRACY! GOOD ON YOU!
Talk tomorrow,
Jess
I also want to shout out all the Vermonters that have shown up each week in front of the court house to sing, chant, and listen before and stand vigil during both Mohsen and Rumeysa's trials. And also shout out the 90 folks who wrote the judge last week on Mohsen's behalf. To your ongoing point about our bodies making a difference, these bodies did make a difference. The judge commented positively on both the people outside and the letters. So, everyone, keep showing up!
A crucial way for Democrats to "throw out the old playbook to fight Trump and win" is to Overturn Citizens United!! Corporations are NOT people, and money is NOT speech!!! Otherwise, both parties are culpable for the corporatocracy that has usurped a government of, by, and for We, the People!