THE UPCOMING CR MUST PROTECT OUR RIGHTS, HEALTHCARE, AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES
QUICK READ: Americans across the country are rising up to defy Trump’s power-grab and intimidation tactics, and we expect the same of our Members of Congress. They must refuse to vote for—and do everything they can to block—funding for Trump’s unconstitutional power grabs, even if it means a government shutdown for which Trump and Republicans, who refuse to seek bipartisan solutions, will be blamed.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
SCOTUS and the MAGA-controlled Congress are helping Trump weaponize federal power—terrorizing communities, ripping away life-saving government services, and showering tax giveaways on the wealthy at our expense. His administration’s also stolen hundreds of billions from American families Congress authorized for education, public safety, and essential health services, and he now expects his Congressional lackeys to force through a continuing resolution (CR) ameliorating none of these atrocities before the government runs out of money on September 30—just 2 weeks away.
To avoid a Senate filibuster, the MAGA majority must convince 8 Democrats to vote for their cruel CR. While 10 weak-willed Democrats collapsed in March, paving the way for the MAGA Murder Bill and rescission of much of the funding used to garner their support, Democrats cannot make this mistake again.
Instead, Democrats must use their leverage to fight back against fascism and stand up for the American people, refusing to finance the abduction of our neighbors and invasion of our cities or to be complicit in stealing healthcare from seniors and taking food from children.
While Schumer and Jeffries seek only reversal of Medicaid and NIH cuts, extension of expiring ACA subsidies, and limits on Trump’s spending ability for the CR’s short funding extension, much more is needed.
Rolling back Medicaid cuts and permanently extending ACA credits are a no-brainer. To show the American people Democrats are the bold tenacious fighters we demand, they must deny this wanna-be king a no-strings-attached CR, withholding their vote, even in the face of a MAGA-caused government shutdown, until the CR meaningfully constrains Trump’s illegal weaponization of the budget to rob our services, militarize our cities, and terrorize our communities.
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].
Americans across the country are rising up to defy Trump’s power-grab and intimidation tactics, and we expect the same of our Members of Congress. You must refuse to vote for—and do everything you can to block—funding for Trump’s unconstitutional power grabs, even if it means a government shutdown for which Trump and Republicans, who refuse to seek bipartisan solutions, will be blamed. This means no MAGA poison pills; no funds for ICE kidnappings or domestic concentration-camps or for military occupation of American cities; restoring all funds cut from SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA; 60 votes required for all rescissions and pocket rescissions prohibited; unmasking all ICE and federal law enforcement personnel; no Executive slush fund; complete release of the Epstein files.
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].
Americans across the country are rising up to defy Trump’s power-grab and intimidation tactics, and we expect the same of our Members of Congress. You must refuse to vote for—and do everything you can to block—funding for Trump’s unconstitutional power grabs, even if it means a government shutdown for which Trump and Republicans, who refuse to seek bipartisan solutions, will be blamed. This means no MAGA poison pills; no funds for ICE kidnappings or domestic concentration-camps or for military occupation of American cities; restoring all funds cut from SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA; 60 votes required for all rescissions and pocket rescissions prohibited; unmasking all ICE and federal law enforcement personnel; no Executive slush fund; complete release of the Epstein files.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
I am deeply concerned about the looming government shutdown and how it will hurt businesses, workers, and families like mine. It is obvious you and other Republicans are completely out of touch with the needs of your constituents. If Republicans shut down the government because they’re too busy ripping people’s healthcare away, defunding schools, funneling our tax dollars to ICE, and fueling Trump’s lawlessness to work with Democrats on a bipartisan CR, they’ll own the shutdown, and I will hold you responsible for the devastating impacts it causes in our state.
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].
Americans across the country are rising up to defy Trump’s power-grab and intimidation tactics, and we expect the same of our Members of Congress. You must refuse to vote for—and do everything you can to block—funding for Trump’s unconstitutional power grabs, even if it means a government shutdown for which Trump and Republicans, who refuse to seek bipartisan solutions, will be blamed. This means no MAGA poison pills; no funds for ICE kidnappings or domestic concentration-camps or for military occupation of American cities; restoring all funds cut from SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA; 60 votes required for all rescissions and pocket rescissions prohibited; unmasking all ICE and federal law enforcement personnel; no Executive slush fund; complete release of the Epstein files.
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].
I am deeply concerned about the looming government shutdown and how it will hurt businesses, workers, and families like mine. It is obvious you and other Republicans are completely out of touch with the needs of your constituents. If Republicans shut down the government because they’re too busy ripping people’s healthcare away, defunding schools, funneling our tax dollars to ICE, and fueling Trump’s lawlessness to work with Democrats on a bipartisan CR, they’ll own the shutdown, and I will hold you responsible for the devastating impacts it causes in our district.
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].
Americans across the country are rising up to defy Trump’s power-grab and intimidation tactics, and we expect the same of our Members of Congress. You must refuse to vote for—and do everything you can to block—funding for Trump’s unconstitutional power grabs, even if it means a government shutdown for which Trump and Republicans, who refuse to seek bipartisan solutions, will be blamed. This means no MAGA poison pills; no funds for ICE kidnappings or domestic concentration-camps or for military occupation of American cities; restoring all funds cut from SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA; 60 votes required for all rescissions and pocket rescissions prohibited; unmasking all ICE and federal law enforcement personnel; no Executive slush fund; complete release of the Epstein files.
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].
Americans across the country are rising up to defy Trump’s power-grab and intimidation tactics, and we expect the same of our Members of Congress. You must refuse to vote for—and do everything you can to block—funding for Trump’s unconstitutional power grabs, even if it means a government shutdown for which Trump and Republicans, who refuse to seek bipartisan solutions, will be blamed. This means no MAGA poison pills; no funds for ICE kidnappings or domestic concentration-camps or for military occupation of American cities; restoring all funds cut from SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA; 60 votes required for all rescissions and pocket rescissions prohibited; unmasking all ICE and federal law enforcement personnel; no Executive slush fund; complete release of the Epstein files.
Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Americans across the country are rising up to defy Trump’s power-grab and intimidation tactics, and we expect the same of our Members of Congress. You must refuse to vote for—and do everything you can to block—funding for Trump’s unconstitutional power grabs, even if it means a government shutdown for which Trump and Republicans, who refuse to seek bipartisan solutions, will be blamed. This means no MAGA poison pills; no funds for ICE kidnappings or domestic concentration-camps or for military occupation of American cities; restoring all funds cut from SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA; 60 votes required for all rescissions and pocket rescissions prohibited; unmasking all ICE and federal law enforcement personnel; no Executive slush fund; complete release of the Epstein files.
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].
Americans across the country are rising up to defy Trump’s power-grab and intimidation tactics, and we expect the same of our Members of Congress. You must refuse to vote for—and do everything you can to block—funding for Trump’s unconstitutional power grabs, even if it means a government shutdown for which Trump and Republicans, who refuse to seek bipartisan solutions, will be blamed. This means no MAGA poison pills; no funds for ICE kidnappings or domestic concentration-camps or for military occupation of American cities; restoring all funds cut from SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA; 60 votes required for all rescissions and pocket rescissions prohibited; unmasking all ICE and federal law enforcement personnel; no Executive slush fund; complete release of the Epstein files.
FURTHER READING
Clinton-Era Lessons for Confronting Trump
Care Over Cuts: Reining in the Trump Chaos
It’s Simple: Stop Enabling Trump’s Power Grab
What’s Unmentioned in the Intra-Dem Shutdown Debate
Democrats should force a shutdown to save the government
Government shutdown draws near as Democrats push for healthcare funding
A Real Problem: Congress Is Running Out of Days to Avoid a Shutdown
Healthcare at Center of Government Shutdown Fight—and Democrats Insist they Won’t Blink
Schumer readying to fight for health care in government funding battle
Defying Congress, Trump Moves to Cut $4.9 Billion in Foreign Aid
