QUICK READ: Nobody wants the status quo, business as usual, or any more sternly worded letters to the Executive Branch. Last week's sweeping mandate makes abundantly clear that Americans are demanding change and a bold new agenda. Congressional Democrats’ first order of business is to determine the components of this bold new agenda—which will help them choose their House and Senate leaders.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Americans voted for a bold new agenda, not continuation of the status quo. Voters demanded that Democrats flex their muscles and force Trump’s hand on the affordability and corruption issues that drove this historic blue wave.
Complying with their constituents’ demands, the Democrats’ congressional agenda must unequivocally and forcefully push the issues that sent Americans to the polls in unprecedented numbers:
Healthcare: Enact Universal Healthcare as a human right, restore ACA subsidies, reverse Medicaid cuts.
Economy & Taxes: Raise minimum wage to $20/hour, pass an Affordability Act, ban congressional and executive-branch stock trading, protect Social Security and Medicare, tax billionaires, repeal Trump's tax cuts, adequately fund IRS.
Governance: Abolish filibuster, investigate and impeach Executive wrongdoers; repopulate FEMA, Education, FDA, and CDC.
Electoral Reform: reenact Voting Rights Act, eliminate Electoral College, ban gerrymandering nationwide.
Immigration: Abolish ICE, rescind its $75 billion funding, hold agents accountable, create new pathways to citizenship.
Foreign Policy & Defense: Cut military spending, disentangle ourselves from Israel’s military adventures, stop funding Trump's wars, end Trump’s illegal tariffs, and reclaim congressional tariff and war powers.
Judiciary: Expand SCOTUS, create enforceable judicial code of ethics, impose term limits.
Campaign Finance: End dark money, overturn Citizens United, abolish super PACs, eliminate foreign influence.
Technology: Regulate Big Tech, pause advanced AI development, halt data center expansion.
Civil & Social Policy: Codify federal abortion rights, establish universal child care, forgive student debt, build affordable housing.
Climate & Food: fight climate change, pass Green New Deal, rein in Big Oil, protect food security.
Media: Reestablish Fairness Doctrine, restore public broadcasting funding.
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].
The midterm elections made clear that voters are demanding fundamental change. We did not elect Democrats by historic margins to return to business as usual. The newly elected congressional majority must listen to the voters while choosing their bold new agenda.
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].
The midterm elections made clear that voters are demanding fundamental change. We did not elect Democrats by historic margins to return to business as usual. The newly elected congressional majority must listen to the voters while choosing their bold new agenda.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The midterm elections made clear that voters are demanding fundamental change. They did not elect Democrats by historic margins to return to business as usual. All members of Congress, regardless of affiliation, must support the bold new programs the American people want.
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].
The midterm elections made clear that voters are demanding fundamental change. We did not elect Democrats by historic margins to return to business as usual. The newly elected congressional majority must listen to the voters while choosing their bold new agenda.
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].
The midterm elections made clear that voters are demanding fundamental change. They did not elect Democrats by historic margins to return to business as usual. All members of Congress, regardless of affiliation, must support the bold new programs the American people want.
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].
The midterm elections made clear that voters are demanding fundamental change. We did not elect Democrats by historic margins to return to business as usual. The newly elected congressional majority must listen to the voters while choosing their bold new agenda.
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].
The midterm elections made clear that voters are demanding fundamental change. We did not elect Democrats by historic margins to return to business as usual. The newly elected congressional majority must listen to the voters while choosing their bold new agenda.
Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
Oregon City office: 503-387-8651 |DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
The midterm elections made clear that voters are demanding fundamental change. We did not elect Democrats by historic margins to return to business as usual. The newly elected congressional majority must listen to the voters while choosing their bold new agenda.
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].
The midterm elections made clear that voters are demanding fundamental change. We did not elect Democrats by historic margins to return to business as usual. The newly elected congressional majority must listen to the voters while choosing their bold new agenda.
FURTHER READING
https://www.commondreams.org/news/chris-van-hollen-chuck-schumer
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/11/5/800123425/videos/el-sayed-lays-out-plan-for-the-incoming-democratic-congress/
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/11/05/congress/warren-dems-should-pursue-bold-policy-agenda-01151703
https://www.npr.org/2026/11/05/nx-s1-6029331/democrats-have-a-long-to-do-list-when-they-take-over-congress-next-year
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/11/07/opinion/midterms-democrats-won-agenda.html
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/11/07/opinion/democrats-congress-trump.html
