THANK OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO’VE BEEN WORKING ON OUR BEHALF

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Written By Barbara Isaacman

QUICK READ:   When Members of Congress work on our behalf, they deserve our thanks, even if unsuccessful. So, when calling to wish them a joyous holiday season, please also thank those voting to end Trump’s unconstitutional deadly war against Venezuela, against criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors, and against the bloated national Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that gave Trump funds to continue his unconstitutional activities here and abroad, calling out at the same time votes against their constituents’ interests.



CONTENTS:

BACKGROUND

The worst year for the American people and our Democratic Members of Congress is finally coming to an end. Between now and January 5th, when they return to Washington, we and our representatives have the chance to rest up, connect with friends and family, and reflect how we got here and what we must do in the coming year—giving us and our MoCs time to get sufficiently energized to give it our all in 2026, when these Daily Actions will resume.

Although Trump and his MAGA Republican allies continue to wreak havoc on our lives and our government, we must reward our Members of Congress with our thanks when they try their best to serve our interests.

During December, at least two Senate Joint Resolutions, S.J.Res.98 and S.J.Res.100, were introduced to cease hostilities with Venezuela. While they have not yet come up for a vote, both our Senators voted against the previous ones and we expect them to do so again. 

We must also thank our Democratic Senators and all Democratic Reps other than Bynum for voting against the $900+ billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the largest military spending bill ever, which fully funds National Guard deployments in American cities and the continuation of Trump and Hegseth’s unconstitutional behavior in the Caribbean, among other disasters. Despite the almost total Democratic opposition to these actions, most Democrats in both Houses voted to reward Trump and Hegseth for their misbehavior.

Our Democratic Reps, although unsuccessful, all voted for the two War Resolutions, H.Con.Res.60 and H.Con.Res.64, and against criminalizing gender affirming care for minors (HR.3492), which we expect Senate Democrats will kill.

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].

I am calling to wish you a joyous holiday season and to thank you for all your good work on our behalf. Specifically, I applaud your commitment to reassert Congress’ authority over its war powers and your past and future votes to end Trump’s and Hegseth’s authoritarian abuses at home and abroad. I wish more Democrats followed your lead in voting against the bloated $900+ billion NDAA, which gives Trump and Hegseth free rein to ignore Congress and the will of the American people. Please also kill the bill criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors that Democrats, despite near unanimity, were unable to stop in the House.

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].

I am calling to wish you a joyous holiday season and to thank you for all your good work on our behalf. Specifically, I applaud your commitment to reassert Congress’ authority over its war powers and your past and future votes to end Trump’s and Hegseth’s authoritarian abuses at home and abroad. I wish more Democrats followed your lead in voting against the bloated $900+ billion NDAA, which gives Trump and Hegseth free rein to ignore Congress and the will of the American people. Please also kill the bill criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors that Democrats, despite near unanimity, were unable to stop in the House.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

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

As your constituent, I was appalled that you already twice voted against reasserting Congress’ war powers. To prevent this very unpopular, reckless war Trump and Hegseth seek to start, I expect you to vote for the two pending resolutions when they reach the floor.

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].

I am calling to wish you a joyous holiday season and to thank you for all your good work on our behalf. Specifically, I applaud your commitment to reassert Congress’ authority over its war powers and your votes against criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors, and against the NDAA. I wish more Democrats followed your lead in voting against the bloated $900+ billion NDAA, which gives Trump and Hegseth free rein to ignore Congress and the will of the American people in carrying out their unconstitutional, authoritarian abuses at home and abroad.

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 appalled that you voted against reasserting Congress’ war powers, which the vast majority of your constituents support. Unless you start heeding your constituents, rather than giving a blank check to our unpopular president, your time in Washington will soon be over.

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].

I am calling to wish you a joyous holiday season and to thank you for all your good work on our behalf. Specifically, I applaud your commitment to reassert Congress’ authority over its war powers and your votes against criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors, and against the NDAA. I wish more Democrats followed your lead in voting against the bloated $900+ billion NDAA, which gives Trump and Hegseth free rein to ignore Congress and the will of the American people in carrying out their unconstitutional, authoritarian abuses at home and abroad.

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].

I am calling to wish you a joyous holiday season and to thank you for all your good work on our behalf. Specifically, I applaud your commitment to reassert Congress’ authority over its war powers and your votes against criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors, and against the NDAA. I wish more Democrats followed your lead in voting against the bloated $900+ billion NDAA, which gives Trump and Hegseth free rein to ignore Congress and the will of the American people in carrying out their unconstitutional, authoritarian abuses at home and abroad.

Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)

DC office: 202-225-5711

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

I am calling to wish you a joyous holiday season and to thank you for your good work on our behalf. Specifically, I applaud your commitment to reassert Congress’ authority over its war powers and your votes against criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors. Given your war power votes, and knowing how unpopular Trump’s National Guard deployment and his Venezuelan misadventures are, how could you have voted for the bloated $900+ billion NDAA, which gives Trump and Hegseth free rein to ignore Congress and the will of the American people in carrying out their unconstitutional, authoritarian abuses at home and abroad? Instead, you should have held out for a much less expensive bipartisan bill that would support our military and protect our national security.

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].

I am calling to wish you a joyous holiday season and to thank you for all your good work on our behalf. Specifically, I applaud your commitment to reassert Congress’ authority over its war powers and your votes against criminalizing gender-affirming care for minors, and against the NDAA. I wish more Democrats followed your lead in voting against the bloated $900+ billion NDAA, which gives Trump and Hegseth free rein to ignore Congress and the will of the American people in carrying out their unconstitutional, authoritarian abuses at home and abroad.

FURTHER READING

Barbara Isaacman
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