Chop Wood, Carry Water 5/23

The GOP puts lipstick on a pig.

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Hi, all, and happy Friday.

One of my subscribers, a constituent of Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s in New Jersey, sent me the letter that his office sent her in response to her call about Republicans’ awful bill. It’s an absolute master class in dissimulation and obfuscation (you can read it here if you like), and he’s not the only one using the same talking points. I’ve heard from several of you that GOP staffers you spoke to yesterday were denying cuts to Medicaid, or SNAP, or Medicare, and even claiming that the bill will decrease the deficit.

While I haven’t got time to give a line by line rebuttal, I can offer a simple script for pushing back against the staffers’ talking points, as well as a few general facts.

You can simply say something like:

You may know it or you may not, but you're lying to constituents. And that’s wrong. If you believe the lies you’re telling me you should go read the bill, or simply read any of the multitude of detailed articles out there describing the 13 million people who will lose their healthcare over the next ten years because of it, and the 4 million children who will lose SNAP, and the millions of Pell grant recipients who will no longer be able to afford higher education, not to mention the 4 trillion dollars it will add to the deficit. You can read talking points all you want--it doesn't change the truth. Numbers don't lie. This bill steals from the poor to give to the rich. And that's disgusting. Thanks.

And then ask them if they’d like you to send them sources. If they say yes, you can use these:

Here is one and here is a second nonpartisan analysis showing that the wealthiest Americans will benefit from this bill while the poorest Americans will have less. Both also show that even after taking into account the economic growth this bill will supposedly generate (which is speculative at best, and has just been downgraded from initial assessments), it will still add 4 trillion dollars to the deficit (at minimum). Rep. Van Drew is using a Karoline Leavett talking point in saying the bill will decrease the deficit by 1.6T, something Axios reports economists found “laughable.” The Axios piece, in fact, is great at debunking the GOP’s deficit lies in general. And Axios is right-leaning.

One more thing: ask the staffer why the bond market is “freaking out” if the bill is going to decrease the deficit. They won’t be able to answer you. The bond market also doesn’t lie.

As for Van Drew’s insistence that the bill doesn’t cut Medicaid, it’s completely false, and you can ask the staffer to explain how, if that’s the case, the Medicaid provisions in their bill lead to savings. The answer: they only do so because the work requirements will knock people off of their plans—THAT is the savings! And the folks who are knocked off will mostly be eligible! The paperwork becomes simply impossible for recipients to manage in this scenario. Again, there is loads of evidence to attest to this. Here’s some. Here’s some. Here’s some more.

Finally, if a Republican lawmaker or staffer tells you that the bill doesn’t cut SNAP benefits tell them that they’re using a technicality to hide the truth. The fact is that their bill fundamentally changes the cost sharing formula between the federal government and states, foisting far more of the cost for SNAP onto the latter, who won’t be able to afford it. Remember, unlike the federal government, states must generally balance their budgets and do not borrow for operating expenses, meaning they need long lead times in responding to federal changes. States are also running on very, very tight margins. They will have to either raise taxes or, more likely, make SNAP cuts to afford their new, much larger share of the cost, period. So technically, the federal government won’t be cutting SNAP itself, but by starving states it effectively is. This recent piece by the National Governors Association explains it really well. And they should know!

SNAP will also institute new work requirements by increasing by ten years the age of people who have to work to receive benefits. They’ve also changed the age of dependent children from “any child under 18” to “any child under 7.” Yup. Those 7, 8 and 9-year-old kids will have to fend for themselves, because their single mom will be working and unable to care for them. All sarcasm aside, THIS is how people will be forced off the rolls. Yet Republicans will claim they’ve “made no cuts.”

Y’all. It’s clear to the entire world what this bill is. Republicans and their staffers can lie until they’re blue in the face—don’t let them gaslight you. It’s the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in recent history AND it will blow up our deficit. Make the Republican party own it.

OK. I’ve spent too much time on this, but I felt it was important. Please share the above with anyone who’s receiving nonsense from their reps’ offices. Tell them not to let them get away with it. Push back!

With that, we’d better get on to our calls. Thanks, all!

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

[If Dem:]

House Republicans just passed a bill that will actually kill us. I want the Senator to stand up, speak out, and bring all business to a grinding halt. This bill cannot move forward in any way. From this moment forward, in fact, I want Democrats to deny all calls for unanimous consent, even for mundane business like adjournment and journal approval. Use every tactic, every parliamentary procedure, every platform, to stop the Republican assault. I expect to see a statement from the Senator today committing to what I just said. Thanks. [H/T]

[If Republican]

First, I’m calling to say that I wholly oppose and detest House Republicans’ bill cutting Medicaid, SNAP, clean energy tax credits, Pell grants, and so much more—all so wealthy people and corporations can keep paying next to no taxes. It’s morally repugnant, and if the Senator votes for it I’ll make it my life’s purpose to vote them out.

Also, I’m disgusted by Trump’s breathtakingly corrupt and likely illegal crypto dinner last night and I have one question for the Senator, for which I’d like an answer in writing. If this were a Democratic president would they be silent on it? And if not, why are they being silent now? Do your job. Call for him to be impeached over this. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

I'm calling to demand that the representative speak out against the FDA decision to limit COVID vaccines to those over 65. The FDA and HHS should follow the science, but instead are playing with the health and safety of the American public. [H/T]

Also, NPR just reported that the CDC has stopped communicating with the public completely through its newsletters, alerts, or its social media platform. Nothing has been heard from them since March. Meanwhile we have at least three major disease outbreaks happening right now. Our public health system is under attack and I’m scared. People are going to die. Americans expect the government to provide information about things that endanger our health. Please ask the Congressmember to push the HHS to allow the CDC to do its job of communicating with the public. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Please post this on your social media today (or send it out as an email):

Right now, Congress is considering a budget package with billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid. They need to hear from us so they know we won't accept this!

With enough of us taking action, they can't ignore us.

Fill out the form and you'll get a call connecting you to your Senators’ offices (you’ll either talk to a staffer or leave a voicemail) and urge them to say no to Medicaid cuts! The tool will provide more information, including a short sample script, after you submit the form. It's easy and takes just five minutes. MAKE SURE TO GIVE YOUR FULL NAME AND ZIP CODE or they won’t count your call!

https://go.caringacross.org/a/call-congress-no-medicaid-cuts-budget?utm_campaign=protectmedicaid&utm_source=toolkit&utm_medium=partner&sourceid=1080881

Get Smart! 📚

On Wednesday, June 4 at 2PM ET please join CAP Action for on online (and in person) forum called: Representing Working-Class Voters.

Voters without a college degree comprise the majority of the American electorate and yet too many elected officials struggle to represent their interests. The working class is far different than it is commonly portrayed to be: Its members are racially and ethnically diverse and employed in a wide range of industries—with a heavy concentration in service industries. They also support a variety of policies, including many that President Donald Trump opposes.

Please join the Center for American Progress Action Fund for a discussion with members of Congress about how to best promote a policy agenda for today’s working class. Panelists will be Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX).

It should be really interesting.

RSVP here.

Get in the Streets! 🪧

Who have you invited to go with you to the June 14 protests? Your mom? Your book club? Your co-worker? Let’s all shoot for widening our footprints by 3! Like vote-tripling, but for No Kings!

I’m sending my invitations out today! How about you?

Grab Your Wallet! 💳

Someone on my Indivisible call yesterday posted this amazing google doc in the chat called “Activist Hour Resources.” Among many other things it has an excellent list of big businesses to boycott. Check it out!

Win Races! 🗳

Join Black Voters Matter on Zoom, 6 PM ET, every Tuesday, as they gather to drive change through digital organizing. Their texting campaigns will give you the opportunity to engage residents across the U.S. while empowering them to make a positive impact in their communities. For more information and to sign up, click here. [H/T]

Stop the Big UGLY Bill 🔥

Every Wednesday and Thursday in June, join Indivisible for a phonebank where you’ll be calling voters and connecting them directly to their Senator. Together, we’ll urge Republicans to oppose the Trump Tax Scam—a reckless GOP tax plan that prioritizes billionaires like Elon Musk while selling out working families.

You’ll be using Scale to Win, an easy-to-use calling tool, to make sure voters can speak out and be heard.

Register here.

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

[To: your SENATORS] [H/T Coleman R] [Text SIGN PQQFHG to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]

This budget reconciliation bill poses a grave threat to the well-being of American families and the foundations of our democracy. The provisions limiting federal judges' ability to hold the previous administration accountable are an egregious attack on the rule of law and checks and balances that underpin our system of government. Allowing the Trump regime to evade consequences would set a dangerous precedent of impunity for lawless behavior by those in power.

Furthermore, the draconian cuts to vital programs like Medicaid, Medicare (by triggering PAYGO), SNAP, and student aid will inflict immense hardship on millions of vulnerable Americans, including children, the elderly, and those already struggling to make ends meet. Depriving people of access to healthcare, food assistance, and education is not only cruel but will have devastating long- term consequences for individuals, families, and communities across the nation.

I urge you to resolutely oppose this destructive legislation that prioritizes tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy over the basic needs of ordinary citizens. Voters will not forget those who enabled such a callous disregard for the welfare of the people they are sworn to serve. The integrity of our democratic institutions and the well-being of our nation hang in the balance.

USE EVERY MEANS AT YOUR DISPOSAL TO BLOCK THIS UNCONSCIONABLE BILL FROM BECOMING LAW. THIS IS A FIVE-ALARM FIRE.

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

Talk soon.

Jess