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Americans already pressured by skyrocketing costs from Trump’s tariffs are bracing for the impact of the Republicans’ Big Ugly Budget which will make low-income people poorer and sicker while making the ultra-rich even richer – it’s sinful.

Americans know Republicans ripped away health care to fund billionaire tax breaks. Republicans know they will lose the Midterm elections, so they decided to cheat – to change Texas' voting rules in the middle of the game. Rather than take care of flood victims and other constituents in need and address how to provide lifesaving health care and food for millions of Texans who will lose both, Texas Republicans have chosen to do the direct bidding of Donald Trump by redrawing their Congressional maps with a redlining mid-decade gerrymander that violates the Voting Rights Act by erasing representation for minority communities.

The Republicans’ desperate attempt to evade accountability for gutting Medicaid by silencing the voices of millions of voters in Texas and stealing five House seats from voters is not only a blatant and unconscionable attack on the voting rights of millions of Texans but an attack on Democracy in America – writ large. If Trump’s minions in Texas go through with their power grab, Californians will defend Democracy for all Americans.

California’s response to the Texas redistricting power grab is self-defense for our state and for our Democracy. I am proud to be part of a coalition led by California Labor, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren who chairs our awesome Democratic Congressional Delegation from California, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, California State Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire, California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, California Governor Gavin Newsom and scores of community leaders who are taking action for California’s redistricting.

This week we also celebrate the 90th birthday of Social Security. For 90 years, Social Security has stood as a pillar of opportunity and peace of mind for millions of Americans. The sacred promise of Social Security, born from the courage of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins and New Deal Democrats, has safeguarded the dignity, security and financial independence of generations of American seniors and persons with disabilities.

When President Roosevelt signed the bill, he said, "There is no tragedy in growing old, but there is tragedy in growing old without means of support." We know the actions of this current Administration have undermined Social Security, but we celebrate what it has done and vow to continue defending and strengthening it for ourselves and future generations. We cannot let Republicans continue to undermine Social Security and turn your earned benefits into a gamble.

We can talk about policy and we can talk about politics – but it’s the mobilization of the people coming together to say “NO” to Trump’s cruelty and “YES” to a brighter future that makes all the difference. Every time we come together to make our voices heard, we take one step closer toward building the foundation for taking back the House in 2026 and putting a check against this reckless, cruel and careless episode.

So thank you for your focus, dedication and commitment to making sure your voice is heard and that elected officials remain accountable to their constituents, and for all you do to Save Our Health Care and American Safety Net from the Republicans’ devastating cuts and policies rooted in Trump’s cruelty, chaos, corruption and incompetence.