A lot of politicians are probably emailing and texting you about tonight’s FEC deadline. And while that’s important, it’s not the biggest story right now.

As I write this, Trump and Republicans are on track to shut down the government.

House Republicans are on vacation. They gaveled out of session last week and went home without a plan. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are refusing to negotiate with us.

The rules require 60 votes in the Senate to fund the government. It forces bipartisanship. That’s why, when Democrats controlled the Senate during the Biden Administration, we negotiated with Republicans every single time to keep the government open. And it worked. There was not a single shutdown during that time.

Democrats have said we will help fund the government if Republicans will simply undo their cuts to health care that they used to fund their billionaire and corporate tax cuts and force Trump to follow the law.

Frankly, we’re throwing them a lifeline to undo the most unpopular parts of the bill because Democrats care about people. None of us wants to see costs skyrocket for working families. Republicans simply don’t care. They are willing to jack up health care premiums on people just to keep the health care cuts they made this summer.

If Republicans want the Democratic votes that they need, then they have to come to the negotiating table.

I refuse to give an inch on this. It’s a decision point for Senate Republicans. They can reclaim Congress’ rightful power and put a check on Trump’s corruption and constitutional crises, or they can admit to the American people that they are helping Trump install himself as king.

Now, the problem is this fight won’t be as cut and dry for most Americans. Because what is about to happen is that Republicans’ billionaire and corporate donors and their super PACs are cutting ads right now to go on the attack.

Democrats are going to get pummeled on every screen while Republicans try to spin the shutdown as our fault. They’ll spend millions on advertising, and their right-wing propaganda machine will go into overdrive — acting like state-owned media for Trump.

Already, Trump’s White House has attacked me multiple times in the press for leading the effort to demand Republicans negotiate.

I’m prepared to help lead the fight against that. Yes, I’ll go on media offense myself with interviews and social media. But that won’t be enough. We’re going to have to do our own paid media and mass mobilization efforts too. Moments like this are exactly why I started the American Mobilization Project.

But I need your help.

So please, make a $3 contribution to my efforts to mobilize a mass opposition to Trump and Republicans as they prepare to shut down the government. It would mean a lot to know you have my back.

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Look, leading the effort to hold the line comes with risks. I know my colleagues will feel the pressure to fund the government. Democrats pride ourselves on governing responsibly.

But I believe this is the responsible decision. It could be our best chance to finally put the brakes on Trump’s authoritarianism. And your support will help us stay firm when the attacks start.

Every best wish,

Chris

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