John –
As I write to you, Elon Musk is in the middle of a hostile, dangerous, and illegal takeover of our government. He and his cronies have gained access to the Treasury Department's payment systems — meaning they have access to your Social Security number and potentially the ability to turn payments on and off for whomever they choose. And they have their sights set next on the Departments of Labor and Education.
I served in Congress during all of the first Trump administration, and I saw a lot – but I never saw anything quite like this: an unelected billionaire raiding through our government's systems, compromising people's most sensitive information, and cruelly endangering the job security of tens of thousands of dedicated workers.
Musk is trying to freeze money that he has no authority to freeze — money that so many working families rely on. Money already appropriated by Congress that – by law – cannot be blocked.
Now would be a perfect time for Congress to step up and remind the Trump administration that we have separate and co-equal branches of government. But Republican leaders are too damn cowardly to do so. Speaker Mike Johnson is voicing support for all of Musk's activities, and the Republicans who control the Oversight Committee just squashed an attempt to subpoena Musk.
I'm furious to see House Republicans abdicate their constitutional duties. It's critical that we keep the pressure on members in swing districts and show them that if they don't serve the people, they won't have jobs come next Congress.
Will you chip in to help Midwest Majority PAC organize against vulnerable GOP House members? Together, we can drive the conversation, defeat their dangerous Musk-backed legislation, and spotlight the human impact of the heist happening before our eyes.
Musk's rampage — enabled by the GOP — is going to hurt the livelihoods of farmers, teachers, delivery truck drivers, factory workers, and so many more throughout the Midwest. When services become cut or interrupted, everyone suffers.
It's all so Musk can line his own coffers more. And Trump and the GOP are happy to let it happen. It's like a bank robbery — except the bank managers invited the robbers in, unlocked the vault, and gave them duffel bags to stash the money into.
I can tell you this much: the American people don't like being stolen from, and they're bound to blame the lawmakers who sat idly by.
So our job is to remind folks day in and day out what is happening, and who let it happen. Republicans in competitive Midwestern districts have a lot to answer for, and they're going to hear from us soon.
If you're able to help us amplify our message, your support is greatly appreciated.
More soon,
Dave Loebsack
Iowa Congressman (2007-2021)
