Fund Healthcare Not Warfare

Happy Thursday, Activists! 

Senate Republicans are pushing to hold the vote on the Trump Tax Scam, a/k/a the Big Disgusting Bill, by the end of the week.  But much wrangling still has to be done and the Parliamentarian is none too happy with some of the provisions shoehorned in as budgetary issues.  And that gives us more time to apply our pressure.  

Republicans would rather spend, spend, spend on a war machine while taking away healthcare from everyday people.  We need to make the calls and emails today and tomorrow, both for a NO vote on the reconciliation bill and a YES vote on the Ro Khanna (D-CA/Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Tim Kaine's War Powers Resolution, to uphold the Constitution and require Congressional approval before the President goes to war.  We say Fund Healthcare Not Warfare. 

DEMAND SENATORS  DELAY AND THEN VOTE NO ON THE BIG TAX SCAM

EXTRA CREDIT:  SEND YOUR AMENDMENT!!

We need to call our senators and demand they slow down the process and fight for SNAP and Medicaid.  Senator Fetterman has said he is a NO vote because of the cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, but call and tell him to work to slow down the process to passage so voters have a chance to see the harm it will do to them. 

And definitely call Senator McCormick, who is a YES vote so far.  They must reject the budget-busting bill from the House.

Indivisible has a cool idea you can try out to encourage Senator Fetterman to delay as much as possible, so that Americans will have time see the horrible cuts Republicans have stuffed into this bill.  Here goes:

We want to see as many amendments offered as possible - to slow the process - so craft some and share them with your senators! Be creative. Go wild. Just try to focus them on taxes and spending -- because that’s all that can go into a reconciliation bill.  Call make the call or email with your amendment, which could be something like:

 ⇒   An amendment to transfer all the dollars for ICE funding to NPR and PBS, instead

 ⇒   An amendment to tax recipients of luxury jets gifted by foreign governments at 100% of the jet's market value

 ⇒   An amendment to cut every lawmaker’s salary and per diem by the same percentage SNAP gets cut

Some of your suggestions may be silly. Some may be poignant. Some will be genuinely good policy. Pretty much all of them will be better than the disaster MAGA Republicans want to force on us, so don’t be shy!

 DEMAND OUR MOCs VOTE YES ON WAR POWERS RESOLUTIONS

Trump decided to go to war against Iran without congressional approval, without a plan, and without the support of the American people. This reckless and unilateral act risked - and could still risk - dragging us into a full-blown war; one that would cost countless lives, destabilize the entire region, and put U.S. troops directly in harm’s way.

This is exactly the kind of unconstitutional power grab our system is designed to prevent. The Constitution is clear: Only Congress can declare war. But time and again, presidents exploit loopholes and gray areas to launch military action without oversight. We cannot let it happen again - not with Trump, and not with Iran.

Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) have introduced a War Powers Resolution to block unauthorized U.S. military involvement in Iran. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) has done the same in the Senate. These resolutions would force an up-or-down vote and send a powerful, pro-peace message that Trump does not have a blank check for war.

Demand our House members and our senators oppose potential war with Iran, and support the Massie-Khanna and the Tim Kaine War Powers Resolution. 

Here are the contacts -- 

Rep. Evans – D.C. 202-225-4001; Phila. offices (215) 276-0340, (215) 254-3400; email link

Rep. Boyle – D.C. office 202-225-6111; Phila office 215-335-3355; email link

Rep. Scanlon -- D.C. office 202-225-2011; Chester office (610) 626-2020; email link

Outside Philadelphia?  Find your Representative here.

Sen. McCormick – Phila office 215-405-9660; D.C. office 202-224-6324; email link

Sen. Fetterman – Phila office 215-241-1090; D.C. 202-224-4254; email link

For outside PA:  Find your senators’ phone numbers and emails at this link.

PHONE BANK TO DEFEAT THE BIG TAX SCAM

Tonight!

Indivisible is still organizing phone banks to call Medicaid recipients to urge them to connect with their senators and tell them to vote NO on the Trump Tax Scam.  

These phone banks are organized, along with WFP, MoveOn and other organizations, to mobilize the very Americans who this bill could harm the most and to increase the pressure on their senators.

When: Tonight, 6-8 pm ET/3-5 pm PT.

Sign up here.

RALLIES 

1.  Just the Facts with Fetterman rallies every Friday are on hiatus.  We'll be back in the fall with new ideas and new strategies. 

2.  Every Friday -- 11:15 am - Join Fridays@Fetterman's for the weekly Friday vigil for peace in Gaza/Palestine outside of Senator John Fetterman's office at 200 Chestnut Street from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. Register here

3.  Every Friday, 5:00 - 6:00 pm -- Protest at Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick's office at One Summit Square, Langhorne, PA. Bring signs about whatever you want. There's a lot to complain about!

4.  Every Wednesday 4:00 pm -- Join this resistance group at #WeThePeopleWednesdays for Singing for Sanity at Richard Allen Lane train station, Cresheim and Allen Lanes.

More information is here.

5.  Every Monday at Noon -- Join our friends at Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW for Monday's at McCormick's, in front of Senator McCormick's office at 20th and Market Streets.

Are you outside the Philadelphia area?  You can see all the protests planned by Indivisibles in your area at this link. 

And One More Thing:

Did someone forward this newsletter to you?  Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

Share our social media pages to make sure you and everyone you know is updated on our projects for this year’s critical elections.  Follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram