John,
Here are some thoughts from today on what actions we can take right now, this week, to get in the way of the Republican party’s attack on our way of life:
Trump and House Republicans are proposing a government funding bill that will give Trump and Musk more unaccountable power. We must stop it. If we do, it gives Democrats more leverage over the final spending bill and begins to apply the brakes on MAGA’s rampage through our democracy.
Republicans have a razor-thin majority in the House. They’ve refused to even listen to Democrats’ concerns about the legislation, much less negotiate with Democrats to improve it. So let them pass it on their own, if they can.
In the Senate, Republicans need 60 votes to move forward. They only have 53. Democrats must withhold their votes until Republicans meet them at the negotiating table. It is literally the only leverage they have and they must use it.
If these were normal times, if this was just about the size of the federal budget, that would be one thing. But these are not normal times, and this bill is all about giving Trump and Musk more power. Look what they’ve done with it so far: decimated federal agencies responsible for public safety and sacred commitments (e.g. TSA and the VA); entered corrupt deals with corrupt public officials (e.g. Eric Adams); undermined the Constitution and the rule of law (e.g. attempting to void the 14th Amendment); and the list goes on. Why in the world would we enable this any further?
These aren’t your parents’ Republicans. These are MAGA cultists who have chucked their oath to the Constitution out the window in an effort to appease their dear leader. There is no goodwill to be earned, no future compromise that can be purchased with capitulation today.
Congress begins voting on this as soon as tomorrow (Tuesday), with a deadline to finish votes by Friday.
Call your Member of Congress and encourage them to vote NO on this funding bill (called a “Continuing Resolution” or “CR”): 202-224-3121.
What we are all doing must be working. Last week, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) instructed its members to stop holding town halls because, when confronted by their constituents’ questions about cuts to Medicaid and the VA, Republican Reps weren’t able to provide any answers. They froze and then they fled. The exchanges went viral. More of the public became aware of just how dangerous the Trump/Musk regime is. And now they fear it will cost them their re-elections.
Meanwhile, Democrats are holding town halls in their districts to huge success. Look at this picture of Joaquin Castro’s town hall in San Antonio. More than a thousand people showed up!
Holding town halls helps Republicans remember that they serve you and not Donald Trump. And town halls remind Democrats of how many of us have their backs in the fight before them.
Check Indivisible’s town hall tracker to see if your Rep or Senator is holding one: here.
If they aren’t, encourage your Member of Congress to hold a town hall this month! You can reach them at: 202-224-3121
The latest Texas school voucher bill (HB3) will be heard in the Public Education Committee on Tuesday, 3/11. This is your chance to tell your state reps that you are against vouchers and for fully funded, high quality, public education.
If you live in Austin, near Austin or can get to Austin in time, you can testify in person against vouchers in the John Reagan Building (room 140) of the Texas Capitol.
Or you can submit a public comment: here.
Remember, Abbott and Republicans are trying to take $1 billion from Texas taxpayers and give it to wealthy families who are already sending their kids to private schools. This will come at the expense of public school education, especially in rural and remote counties (more than 150 Texas counties don’t have a private school to send your kid too, even if you could afford the difference between what the voucher pays and what tuition costs!).
It’s bad for the Texas taxpayer, bad for public educators, and bad for the kids in our public school classrooms.
These are three things that allow us to do what we can with what we have where we are.
Keep the faith and keep up the fight!
- Beto
P.S. From the mountain this morning:
