Chop Wood, Carry Water 6/24
Keep fighting for Medicaid. Also some sad personal news.
Hi, all, and happy Tuesday.
It’s not a terribly happy day for my family, sadly, as seems we have lost our beloved cat Walter. He slipped out of the house two nights ago when we weren’t paying attention—he’s an indoor cat—and hasn’t yet returned. We live in a very coyote-dense neighborhood, so we’re not feeling especially optimistic that he’s still alive. Of course we haven’t given up hope—we’ve posted signs, called the neighbors, etc., but we’re feeling pretty pessimistic. It’s a heartbreaker.
The world moves on, however, and this week it seems to be moving faster than ever. I was a bit less able than usual to keep an eye on the news yesterday, but I do know that, among other things, the Big BS bill is inching closer to a vote. It sounds like that vote will happen over the weekend, however, as opposed to tomorrow, as originally planned. As any delay is helpful to our side, I’ll take that as good news.
The other good news is that the Parliamentarian has blocked Mike Lee’s provision selling off millions of acres of public lands! He says he’s going to come back with a “diluted” version, so we’ll see what happens with that, but at least the 3 million acre permutation is scrapped. Small victories!
The Parliamentarian has also concluded that a Republican-drafted provision in the bill that would restrict the ability of judges to block government policies violates budgetary rules. This provision, to quote Reason, would have “severely undermine[d] judicial protection against unconstitutional federal government actions.” It’s out, too. Bravo!
We’re still waiting on the fate of the AI provision, and much else. But “phew” on those two, at least.
Since we know the vote is coming so soon on this bill we’re going to keep calling on it daily. And in answer to the almost certain questions to come, yes, it does matter that we call every day. Yes, they will count our calls. And yes, it is so, so, so important that Republicans’ phones especially be ringing off the hook right now. So keep those calls coming and please send the script below to friends and family in your state, along with your Senators’ phone numbers.
OK, all. Sending love and hugs. These times are tough, but as I’ve said before we’re tougher. So let’s keep on keeping on, and remember: this will eventually be over. When it is, we’ll be so glad we were on the right side of history.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
[H/T this is the 5 calls script—I can’t improve on it.]
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling to urge the Senator to oppose H.R. 1, the budget reconciliation bill, and its harmful cuts to vital government programs.
[OPTIONAL]: Specifically, I’m very concerned about… [PICK 1-3 budget provisions]
the massive increase to the federal deficit, (and)
the devastating cuts to Medicaid, (and)
the restrictions on Medicare eligibility and increased cost burden for Medicare-Medicaid dual enrollees, (and)
the funding increase for ICE and Trump’s mass deportation operation, (and)
the widespread roll back of clean energy tax incentives and climate protections, (and)
the unprecedented funding cuts to SNAP, (and)
the funding cuts to gender-affirming care for patients of all ages, (and)
the funding cuts to Planned Parenthood clinical care, (and)
the 10-year ban on state AI regulation, (and)
the private school voucher program that pulls money from public schools, (and)
the increased tax on college endowments, (and)
the changes to student loan access and repayment options, (and)
the changes to federal worker pay and benefits, (and)
the defunding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, (and)
the elimination of gun silencer taxes.
Congress should pass a fair and responsible budget that helps working families and communities, not one that slashes our benefits to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling to urge the Congressmember to oppose the Senate-passed GENIUS Act, S. 1582. This bill will prioritize the solvency of crypto investors over traditional bank customers and put our entire banking system at risk of collapse. It also does nothing to stop the Trump family’s corrupt use of crypto to accept dark money bribes. Please vote no! [H/T]
Extra Credit ✅
Here’s an extra credit item from Indivisible I hope we’ll all do it if we live in a state with a Democratic Attorney General.
Donald Trump keeps doubling down on calls for ICE to aggressively target blue states and big cities. State Attorneys General have real power to fight back, and we need to keep pressure on them to use every tool at their disposal to hold ICE in check.
Get Smart #1! 📚
The Congressional Progressive Caucus Center invites you to join The DOGE Double Standard: Billions for Bombs, Pennies for the People on Wednesday, June 25 at 3PM ET. Experts will debunk DOGE’s promises of government “efficiency” as Congress continues to abet wasteful spending at the Pentagon through legislation like the GOP megabill.
Get Smart #2! 📚
Join a “Healthcare Not Warfare” rapid response call today, June 24, at 8pm ET / 5pm PT to join the campaign to stop war with Iran.
Please join a coalition of grassroots organizations and activists to plan a massive, unified push to stop the war in Iran. This mass call will outline the situation, the stakes, and how to take action.
[I know there’s a temporary ceasefire in place, but this call is still relevant, as tensions are very high and fighting could restart at any time.]
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
Please post this on your social media and/or email it to friends who may care:
The Republican budget bill, if passed, will be so devastating to Medicaid that over 300 rural hospitals are expected to close as a result.
Below is a list of which ones are most vulnerable (scroll past the letter). Please check to see if one near you is in danger, and please call your Senator and plead for them to vote no on this bill.
Also please share widely. https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/letter_on_rural_hospitals.pdf
Give 💰!
Power the Virginia Blue Wave Fundraiser
Wednesday, June 25 at7 pm ET
We have a huge opportunity in Virginia this year - and Swing Blue Alliance is kicking things off with an evening that's as entertaining as it is powerful. Join them for a live Zoom fundraiser with comedian Patton Oswalt and MSNBC analyst and former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner to support two strong Democratic candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates: Mary Person (HD-83) and Cat Porterfield (HD-99).
Win Races! 🗳
Please vote if you’re in NYC!!! It’s election day! And please don’t rank Cuomo!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T] [Text SIGN PMJDKZ to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
As your constituent, I am urging you to reject the cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in the budget reconciliation bill. These cuts will cause devastating harm to communities, especially rural communities, which would see as many as 330 hospitals close or cut back important services while grocery stores close. New research shows that cuts to Medicaid along with SNAP will reduce jobs by 1.2 million nationwide, equivalent to about a 0.8% increase in the unemployment rate. With 16 million people expected to lose their health insurance nationwide, as well as nursing home staffing cut back, it’s estimated that these cuts will cause more than 51,000 people to die each year—you must prevent this shocking outcome.
The cuts on the table to SNAP are also horrific, and are the largest cuts to basic food assistance programs in history. Ultimately, the Senate bill will make it tougher for families that participate in SNAP in our community to put food on the table at a time when many families are struggling with high costs of food and other basic needs. I am concerned about shifting SNAP costs to states and how this could strain state budgets. Following the Senate Parliamentarian’s ruling, I hope you will reject any modified cost sharing provision given what is at stake for SNAP recipients and our community as a whole. States will deny SNAP benefits and/or cut other needed programs, leaving vulnerable members of our communities to suffer. Deep SNAP cuts will have a ripple effect across services and would also harm workers and retailers in local communities like mine.
Our country doesn’t benefit when we take from the most vulnerable—shockingly, even sacrificing thousands of lives—to give to the wealthy in the form of tax handouts. It is worth noting that this package will dramatically increase federal deficits despite horrid cuts to basic needs because of massive tax breaks for the wealthy. There is a moral cost of abandoning the most vulnerable—people with disabilities (including veterans), children, and seniors—and turning our backs on them contradicts our values. Compassion and care for those in need must remain a core part of who we are.
Congress is going too far, too fast—but it’s not too late to change course. Instead of cutting basic needs programs, Congress should focus on helping families who need support. Please prioritize the needs of the majority of Americans and reject these cuts—and vote no on the budget package.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
So sorry about Walter. Don't give up, there are some amazing recapture stories out there.
Thanks for above, but first, don't give up on Walter yet. Indoor cats who get out typically don't go far. Usually, they stay within a few houses. He may be savvy enough to hide under someone's deck or in the bushes. There's a great little business here in the Seattle area called Three Retrievers, and they have a boatload of recovering cats suggestions. Do go out at night with a flashlight and see if that catches his eyes. Often cats are scared and quiet so even calling them won't work. We hope you find Walter safe very soon.