OUR CONGRESSPEOPLE MUST LEAD THE FIGHT TO PRESERVE DEMOCRACY

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Written By Barbara Isaacman

QUICK READ:  Unconstrained by the MAGA Congress and the SCOTUS supermajority, Trump’s illegal acts are destroying our core freedoms and our democracy and attempting to turn America into a fascist state. Millions of Americans, so far without the help of the majority of Democratic lawmakers, have taken to the streets to try to save our faltering democracy. The Democratic Caucuses in Congress cannot continue doing business as usual. Instead, they must become leaders of and participants in the emerging grassroots movement.


   
CONTENTS:

BACKGROUND

With the military deployed to American cities, elected Democrats arrested or handcuffed, judges invalidating Trump’s policies threatened and ignored, the administration not spending money appropriated by Congress and using some for non-appropriated purposes, student activists and black and brown people going about their lives jailed and disappeared, and a wide range of civic institutions—law firms, universities, news outlets, the arts, scientists, the civil service—targeted and penalized, our core freedoms and democracy are clearly disappearing.

None of this is normal, as the millions of Americans taking to the streets to try to save our faltering democracy recognize. 

Democratic congresspeople, however, seem largely unaware of this move towards fascism. While they’ve seized the initiative in calling for the Epstein file’s release, and Senators have slowed down the confirmation process, they’ve not realized the impossibility of compromising with Trump’s GOP—as demonstrated by its refusal to budge on even Hegseth, Kennedy, and Bove, Trump’s most outrageous nominees, and the crafting of March’s continuing resolution (CR), where, to get the 60 votes needed for passage, Democrats were induced with funding it rescinded with 51 votes just 4 months later. Nevertheless, very few Democrats voted against the first three budget bills, even though Merkley’s amendment to prevent Trump’s later rescission was defeated.

Because we are now in one of the most perilous times of our nation’s history, our MoCs must step out of their comfort zones and become engaged leaders of and participants in the grassroots movement to thwart Trump’s attempts to turn America into a fascist state.

ACTION One: Call the Senate.

Script for Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

When will the Democratic Party realize that negotiation with Trump and his fascist minions is fruitless? What your constituents need, instead, is a united Democratic Caucus committed to leading and participating in the grassroots movement to thwart Trump’s attempts to turn America into a fascist state. If you are already committed to assuming this responsibility and are taking steps to do so, I thank you for your courage and insight. If not, are you prepared to take on this responsibility and how will you do so?

SEN. WYDEN:

Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

When will the Democratic Party realize that negotiation with Trump and his fascist minions is fruitless? What your constituents need, instead, is a united Democratic Caucus committed to leading and participating in the grassroots movement to thwart Trump’s attempts to turn America into a fascist state. If you are already committed to assuming this responsibility and are taking steps to do so, I thank you for your courage and insight. If not, are you prepared to take on this responsibility and how will you do so?

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

It is time you overcome your fear of Trump and carry out your constitutional responsibility to do everything in your power to thwart Trump’s attempts to create an authoritarian state in America. Your constituents deserve nothing less.

ACTION TWO: Call the House.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

When will the Democratic Party realize that negotiation with Trump and his fascist minions is fruitless? What your constituents need, instead, is a united Democratic Caucus committed to leading and participating in the grassroots movement to thwart Trump’s attempts to turn America into a fascist state. If you are already committed to assuming this responsibility and are taking steps to do so, I thank you for your courage and insight. If not, are you prepared to take on this responsibility and how will you do so?

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

It is time you overcome your fear of Trump and carry out your constitutional responsibility to do everything in your power to thwart Trump’s attempts to create an authoritarian state in America. Your constituents deserve nothing less.

Script for Maxine Dexter (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

When will the Democratic Party realize that negotiation with Trump and his fascist minions is fruitless? What your constituents need, instead, is a united Democratic Caucus committed to leading and participating in the grassroots movement to thwart Trump’s attempts to turn America into a fascist state. If you are already committed to assuming this responsibility and are taking steps to do so, I thank you for your courage and insight. If not, are you prepared to take on this responsibility and how will you do so?

Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

When will the Democratic Party realize that negotiation with Trump and his fascist minions is fruitless? What your constituents need, instead, is a united Democratic Caucus committed to leading and participating in the grassroots movement to thwart Trump’s attempts to turn America into a fascist state. If you are already committed to assuming this responsibility and are taking steps to do so, I thank you for your courage and insight. If not, are you prepared to take on this responsibility and how will you do so?

Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)

DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

When will the Democratic Party realize that negotiation with Trump and his fascist minions is fruitless? What your constituents need, instead, is a united Democratic Caucus committed to leading and participating in the grassroots movement to thwart Trump’s attempts to turn America into a fascist state. If you are already committed to assuming this responsibility and are taking steps to do so, I thank you for your courage and insight. If not, are you prepared to take on this responsibility and how will you do so?

Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

When will the Democratic Party realize that negotiation with Trump and his fascist minions is fruitless? What your constituents need, instead, is a united Democratic Caucus committed to leading and participating in the grassroots movement to thwart Trump’s attempts to turn America into a fascist state. If you are already committed to assuming this responsibility and are taking steps to do so, I thank you for your courage and insight. If not, are you prepared to take on this responsibility and how will you do so?

FURTHER READING

Barbara Isaacman
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