This has been a busy week in our nation's capital. Democrats are fighting against the budget reconciliation legislation that could cost a working-class family thousands more per year and gut programs for health care, food, and energy while giving enormous tax breaks to billionaires.
No sooner had the House Energy and Commerce Committee kicked off its markup of the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill” than protesters descended upon the proceedings. U.S. Capitol Police was forced to quickly arrest 26 people and remove several protesters in wheelchairs from the hearing room amid chants of “no cuts to Medicaid” and “waste, fraud and abuse my ass."
Protesters also lined the halls outside the hearing, many of them in wheelchairs, chanting as police threatened to take more people into custody. Julie Farrar — an activist with ADAPT, a disability rights organization — said there were about 90 people with her group, many of whom are on Medicaid and some who are direct care workers. They were “fighting literally for our survival right now,” Farrar said.
Democrats on the Energy & Commerce Committee fought well into the night on Tuesday pushing back as Republicans put health care on the chopping block. While their constituents are asleep, Republicans tried to take away health care from 13.7 million people to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. At 2 am Wednesday morning, Democrats were still fighting the marking up of massive cuts to Medicaid.
Meanwhile, in the Ways & Means Committee, members spent the entire 13th hour of the markup of Republicans’ tax cuts for the rich debating an amendment to remove tax cuts for billionaires from the GOP bill. No one else would be affected, literally just billionaires. And every Republican voted against it.
As Democrats fight to protect essential programs and economic stability, it's important to recognize how Republican budget cuts will directly impact Indian River County. Learn how these cuts will affect our community HERE.
On June 14th we will respond by taking to the streets again, united by one powerful message: NO KINGS IN AMERICA. Sign up HERE to stand with us.
And lastly, don't forget to RSVP to join the Democratic Club of Indian River on May 22nd as they welcome guest speaker, Krista Garofalo, Chief Strategy and Advocacy Officer from the Treasure Coast Food Bank. The Democratic Club of Indian River is the social organization of the Democrats of Indian River.
Watch as Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez explains that Republicans are looking to cut $880 billion from the Medicaid budget because they have been given an assignment. They have been TOLD to find nearly $1 trillion to give to billionaires—and they're taking it from working-class people like you.
In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings. On June 14th, we’re showing up to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings. The flag doesn’t belong to Donald Trump. It belongs to us. We’re not watching history happen. We’re making it. We’ve outgrown the corner. It’s time to line the streets!
OPED CALLS OUT HARIDOPOLOS' LIES
Haridopolos should stick to facts, not MAGA talking points
As a constituent of Florida’s 8th Congressional District, I was disgusted by a recent lie-spewing email from our congressman, Mike Haridopolos, falsely claiming that Sen. Chris Van Hollen flew to El Salvador to visit an MS-13 gang member.
Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia is a husband, father and union worker President Donald Trump's administration admitted was mistakenly torn from his Maryland home and family and illegally deported — despite a standing court order explicitly protecting him from removal to El Salvador.
Let me be clear: Abrego Garcia has been convicted of no crime, was granted legal status by a judge to legally live and work in the United States, and was complying with annual check-ins with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Haridopolos also falsely claims liberals have done nothing to address immigration, conveniently ignoring the bipartisan border deal Donald Trump personally killed. Trump knew the bipartisan bill would have been the most sweeping immigration reform of the 21st century. It was good for America — and bad for his presidential campaign.
The bill represented a serious attempt to acknowledge and solve key problems with current border and asylum policy while addressing the federal government’s longstanding failure to manage migration in a way that both supports American communities and respects humanitarian needs.
Constituents of the Treasure Coast expect emails from our congressman to be factual and accurate. Haridopolos should know that if we wanted fiction, we'd buy a book.
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed HB 1205, a law that severely restricts Floridians' ability to propose constitutional amendments; making it nearly impossible for grassroots movements to succeed. This legislation shortens submission deadlines to just 10 days and imposes harsh fines of up to $2,500 per petition. Worse, anyone collecting more than 25 petitions without state registration faces third-degree felony charges.
Our State Rep. Brackett and State Sen. Grall both supported HB1205 which is a direct attack on Florida’s citizen-led amendment process. Instead of protecting voters’ rights, our own elected lawmakers chose to silence their constituents and consolidate power among politicians and special interests.
These new hurdles make it harder for communities to come together and create change. The citizen-led amendment process has given Floridians the freedom to vote on the laws that govern our lives but this new law curtails that constitutionally-protected freedom.
The Right to Clean Water (RTCW) initiative is already feeling the impact. Effective immediately, volunteers must stop gathering petitions and submit any remaining forms to county captains or regional directors.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our newly established Civic Council is dedicated to keeping our community informed about local developments while strengthening Democratic engagement in Indian River County. To make a real impact, we need volunteers to attend key local meetings on our behalf.
We’re seeking coverage for all City Council meetings and Pelican Island Audubon Society. If you’re passionate about local advocacy and want to help shape the future of our community, reach out to Civic Council Chair, Lalita Janke, at [email protected]
CALL TO ACTION
Donald Trump's agenda has put Medicaid and school meals for millions of families on the chopping block. House Democrats are taking action, but they need five Republicans to stand up and block these devastating cuts.
📞 Call Mike Haridopolis today! Demand he sign the discharge petition and protect healthcare and food security for American families. His office number is (321) 632-1776
"Hello my name is _______ and I am a constituent living in zip code __________. I'm calling to urge my Congressman to protect healthcare and food security for Indian River County families by signing Congressman Boyle's Rep. Brendan Boyle discharge petition to force a vote on legislation that would protect Medicaid and SNAP from proposed budget cuts. Can I county on Representative Haridopolos to protect Medicaid and SNAP?"
HELP SHAPE IRC'S AND FELLSMERE'S FUTURE
Indian River County is planning new community spaces, and your input is key! Share what resources, programs, and services matter most to you by clicking HERE and filling out a brief survey.
Complete FDP's Run for Office Form to be added to their candidate newsletter and stay in the loop on how FDP supports our candidates!
You can also sign up for the NDTC & RFS 15-Day Challenge. NDTC is going to show you to run, and WIN. Register Here
Looking To Volunteer, Intern, or Work For a Campaign? | Resume Bank Form
Field Bootcamp: Improve Your Ground Game So You Can Win
May 17 @ 11 AM EST | Register Here
NEW 2025 Leadership Blue Gala Dinner Speakers Announced: Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey and Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky!
This year’s Leadership Blue Weekend will take place from June 20th-22nd at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. While the gala is a ticketed event, the training and panels are open and free to all registered Democrats. Visit leadershipblue.com to stay up to date on the event.
Attention DEC/club/caucus leadership, officers, and other FDP members. Join the monthly FDP call to hear updates on programming and how YOU can get involved in our Statewide Field, Voter Registration, and Candidates & Campaigns Programs. Learn how to plug into active statewide field/direct voter contact & voter registration programs, as well as hear from the Data & Candidate and Campaigns Teams. Get equipped with the tools to get involved with statewide 2025-2026 efforts & to hear high-level updates on programming.
Given all that's going on though, with the new Trump administration, we find that we need full time paid help in the office to assist us in all things Democratic Party. Anything you can do to help out will be appreciated. If you would be interested in helping us out we suggest the following:
1. A one time donation mailed to the office.
2. An affordable, recurring monthly donation which can be donated every month using your bank on-line payment system (you can set this up to be recurring at the same time each month) which sends us a check, or you can go on our website and set up a recurring donation via ActBlue (3%) goes to them).
Opportunities to Get Involved
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER Volunteer with Democrats of Indian River HERE
Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) Meeting Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6pm Vero Beach Main Library Multi-Media Room
Democratic Club Meeting Thursday, May 22, 2025 6:00 p.m.
The Riverhouse
Inside MacWilliam Park, 305 Acacia Rd, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Riverview Park 600 US Highway 1, Sebastian
Please RSVP to [email protected].
DWC Luncheon at Bent Pine Clubhouse Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.
SPEAKER: MEGAN MCFALL, CEO, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HEALTHY START
Last DWC Luncheon of the 2025 spring season! Non-member guests are welcome to to attend for $35, payable by cash or check at the door. Please RSVP by NOON on Wednesday May 28 by emailing [email protected] and including your name and meal choice: Sweet tea brined fried chicken breast, roasted carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy, Shrimp Scampi over cheesy grits, or vegetarian plate. Valet parking will be available from 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with departure from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Education Champions Monthly Meeting 2nd Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Education Champions is a grassroots organization whose mission is to be a positive, proactive force for addressing public education issues on the local, state and national levels.
Florida Democratic Senior Caucus Zoom Thursday May 22nd at 6:00 p.m. RSVP HERE
May 24-25 is FDP's next Statewide Weekend of Action. Sign up here
Vote-by-Mail Re-Enrollment Phone Banks are available now! Simply select your county and make calls from anywhere. Every call you make brings us one step closer to electing more Democrats. Click here to make calls
Help Florida Democrats Win June 10!
Join the Florida Democratic Party, in partnership with statewide Clubs and Caucuses, for a coordinated GOTV Phone Bank to support our Democratic candidates in the upcoming June 10 special legislative elections.
Let’s mobilize voters during early voting to help elect:
Vance Ahrens – SD-19
Dondre Wise – HD-03
Juan Jose Hinojosa – HD-32
They'll kick things off with a quick training before diving into calls. Whether you're a seasoned phone banker or new to the work, we need you on the dialer. These races are critical—and your voice can make the difference!
