Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/22

We're in it, folks. But let's keep going.

Hi, all, and happy Thursday.

Of course, it’s not happy. Two really awful things happened last night.

First, a young couple who worked for the Israeli Embassy were shot dead outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC. According to the BBC the victims were killed by a man who shouted "free Palestine." It’s so ugly, and so awful, and so destructive to our collective hopes for a peaceful resolution to that conflict—ugh. To my Jewish readers, I hope you’re hanging in there. I know you’re likely traumatized by this event; I would be. I am hearing that synagogues are increasing their security across the country today. It’s tragic. No one should have to feel afraid for their life when worshipping, or when simply living in America.

To the many who are peacefully, tirelessly working for Palestinian freedom, this is, of course, a giant setback for your efforts, too. I’m so sorry. We all know this will fuel Trump’s brutal crackdown on pro-Palestinian protestors and give the right wing potent new ammunition against progressives in general. It will also, of course, make our efforts to stop the carnage in Gaza harder. Absolutely brutal all around.

I mentioned yesterday that I have a newsletter that contains actions around this conflict but I may have given you a bad link. The correct one is here. And to the handful of you who wrote calling me terrible names for not including those actions in this newsletter? I’m sorry you disagree with my choice. It was made after repeatedly trying to make the alternative work and seeing this community start to fracture. I can’t please everyone with my decisions. The unsubscribe button is at the bottom of every newsletter.

The last thing I’ll say on this? Everyone is feeling raw, exhausted, heartbroken, and afraid. Please be kind and considerate in your comments below or I will delete them. Thanks!

Moving on. In the wee hours of the morning House Republicans passed their Death Bill, and it’s an absolute calamity. The only good thing I can say about it is that it hasn’t passed in the Senate yet, so we still have time to stop it. In the meantime we should call our Republican House reps and absolutely read them the riot act for voting for it (I believe only one Republican voted no). It’s equally important to call our Democratic reps and thank them for uniting against it. I’ve got scripts for both below.

Simultaneously, of course, we will commence the daily work of demanding our Senators kill it. Once again, there’s a script for that below.

One other thing you can do to channel your rage about this bill is to join Grassroots Dems HQ’s phonebank tonight to make “accountability” calls. This is where volunteers dial into House Republicans’ districts and get their constituents to call their reps and harangue them for their vote. It’s not just satisfying, but important, because remember, unless the Senate keeps it exactly as is (they almost definitely won’t) this bill will have to pass in the House again.

People’s Action is making similar phone calls to voters, but they’re focussing on getting Tom Tillis in NC to vote NO. They need your help! Sign up here!

Finally, a bit of housekeeping: I had a great conversation with gubernatorial candidate Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City yesterday. He’s awesome! You can watch the conversation in my video newsletter here. Also, the new episode of my Practivist Pod is out—our special guest is Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director of MomsRising. You can watch it on YouTube here or listen here.

OK, folks. It’s brutal out there, but over here we’re staying united, sharing ideas, taking actions, and not giving up! That, my friends, is how we win.

And win we will. I promise you that.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

I’m calling because I am horrified at the bill Republicans just passed in the House. It is devastating. Not only will it add at least 3 T to the deficit, but it will make catastrophic cuts to our social safety net at a time when Trump’s tariffs are already sending prices skyrocketing. All of this to give rich people a permanent tax cut while the rest of us get peanuts? No way. I am also deeply concerned about the provision that bans federal judges from enforcing contempt of court rulings—it would literally make Trump a king. This bill is destructive, cruel, and unconscionable. The Senator must vote no. Thanks.

Also please support the MARSHALS Act, introduced this morning by Sens. Booker, Schiff, Padilla, and Schumer. The bill would return the U.S. Marshals Service to the federal judiciary, giving courts direct control over the officers who both protect judges and enforce court orders. This is a vital, commonsense reform at a moment of mounting constitutional crisis. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

[If GOP] I’m calling to say that I’m livid that the representative voted for the reconciliation bill. Republicans are liars. They say they’re budget hawks but just supported a bill that would add at least 3 T to the deficit. They say they’re “for working Americans” but just passed a bill that will kill 800,000 jobs over ten years. They say work requirements won’t push people off of their healthcare when experts tell us that they will. They claim to love kids but just voted to take food away from four million of them. If the representative doesn’t change his/her vote on this bill I will dedicate every waking hour to making sure that s/he is voted out next year. The fact that s/he is putting Trump and billionaires above his/her constituents is a disgrace. Thanks.

[If Dem:] I’m calling to thank the representative for voting no on the Republican Death bill. I know House Democrats worked really hard to stop it, and I appreciate both their dedication to that fight as well as their collective efforts to keep us all informed about what was happening. I know a lot of you haven’t slept much this week, so please tell the representative to get some rest and then come back and help us fight again. We need to kill this bill. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

From subscriber Sarah R:

I’m sure you’ve heard that the Trump administration is planning on restricting access to the Covid vaccine for anyone under 65. They are taking public comment on this for 2 days. Deadline is TONIGHT! Please take a moment to submit a comment here. It only takes 2 minutes.

This is what I wrote in case it helps anyone [from Jess: I edited this slightly to make it more generic]:

I strongly oppose any restrictions on access to COVID vaccination. People who want to protect themselves and their loved ones should be able to make that choice. Limiting access will only result in unnecessary suffering, preventable hospitalizations, and avoidable deaths. In the absence of a supply shortage, these restrictions do not make sense.

If you choose not to believe in the science and safety of vaccines, it is your decision not to accept the vaccine for yourself. But your personal opinions should not interfere with the rights of those of us who trust the science and evidence and want to protect ourselves and our communities.

Let’s do like Sarah and send in a comment. Feel free to use this one as a template but please personalize! Or just write what you want!

Extra Extra Credit!

Activate America has an advocacy campaign where anyone can easily send a letter to their representatives asking them to oppose cuts to Planned Parenthood (which are also in the reconciliation bill).

CLICK HERE TO SEND THEM AN EMAIL TODAY

Get Smart! 📚

Join Indivisible’s “Fight Back with Friends” training on May 27 for new tools to help get your friends and family off the sidelines!

We all know someone who wants to join our fight but isn’t sure where to start; Fight Back with Friends is a new program designed to break down that barrier.

Join them on the fourth Tuesday of every month for a one-hour training session, where we’ll onboard new participants and introduce fresh calls to action that make a real impact. The next one is in 5 days!

Register here. 8-9 EDT

Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣

Democratic group House Majority Forward just released new messaging guidance on Republicans’ awful bill, advising us to focus on affordability and avoid histrionics (“Murder Bill” tests badly, for example). It includes a handy chart:

DemCast also just put out a brand new, excellent toolkit to help publicize what House Republicans just voted to pass. Please use it!

Give 💰!

Gen Z for change just launched a donation link to help immigrants in the U.S. — donations will be split between 23 groups offering legal help/ICE intervention. It’s a great place to give if you want to support groups under siege by ICE.

The link to give is here.

Get in the Streets! 🪧

On Saturday, June 7, ahead of the 119th anniversary of the Antiquities Act (June 8, 1906), communities across the country will unite to show support for America's national monuments, parks and public lands. Advocates will gather at national monuments and other beloved public lands, raising their voices peacefully with photos, signs, and solidarity.

Information on how to join a protest is here.

Win Races! 🗳

We need to keep winning elections by large margins—everywhere! Can you join Environmental Voter Project for a phone bank this week? They’re calling Virginia today at 6pm ET / 3pm PT

Next week: they're calling Maine at 12pm ET / 9am PT on May 27; New Jersey (our very first ever) at 7pm ET / 4pm PT on May 28; Florida at 6pm ET / 3pm PT on May 29

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

Good news! They took the provision allowing the sale of public lands out of the Big Bad Budget Bill. A small but important victory.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: your Senators] [H/T

Rogan's List

] [Text SIGN PFJMNX to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]

I am one of the eight in ten Americans who believes that if a federal court rules the White House has done something illegal, the administration must accept the judiciary’s ruling and stop its illegal acts. Checks and balances among the three branches of government have been a fundamental principle in this nation since its founding.

Section 70302 of the Judiciary Committee’s section of the reconciliation bill, the ban on federal judges enforcing contempt of court rulings over a wide range of court orders, is an attack on that principle and gives a free pass to lawlessness. It must be removed, and I am calling on you to take whatever action is necessary to ensure it is.

We have a president who thinks he is a king and he may ignore the law and the Constitution when they are inconvenient to him. Section 70302 is written to allow him to get away with it. It is un-American and it cannot go forward.

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OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess