“Trumpism with or without Trump remains a peril, because his unprecedented appetite for authoritarianism has spread to his followers. . . .The continued viability of the United States as a constitutional republic requires both that seditionists be brought to justice and that we. . .repair the weaknesses in our system that they exposed.”

Laurence Tribe, Professor of Constitutional Law, Harvard University

The destruction of the global economy was postponed this week. Senate Republicans agreed to move the deadline for raising the debt limit from Oct. 18 to Dec. 3. Meanwhile, the Build Back Better bill — which would provide a range of needed social benefits and climate actions — is still in limbo as Dems wrangle over something but it’s not exactly clear what opponents want. And Trump holdovers in high government offices, like the IRS and the Post Office, continue Trump’s war on democracy. Stay ahead of the news and be fully informed with Indivisible Oregon’s Daily Actions.

Unless the borrowing limit is raised or eliminated, on October 18 our inability to pay our debts will trigger a deep recession here and a global economic catastrophe. Until now, this threat has always been scary enough to motivate Republicans to compromise. Now, the catastrophe caucus plans only a filibuster--just another example of the tyranny of the minority.

Today, large portions of our government serve the rich and big corporations. (See Oregon Rep. Kurt Schrader’s fight to protect pharmaceutical riches.) Fundamentally, the reconciliation bill attempts to shift the government’s emphasis from abetting the rich to remaking the government so it works for all of us.

It was a chaotic week in Congress. If you were reading our Daily Actions, you were well informed when issues arose. It began with the GOP's attempted sacrifice of our economy. Then, Wednesday, we supported Progressives and urged our Representatives to vote “no” on the infrastructure bill. And yesterday, we asked you to urge your Members of Congress to back the Freedom To Vote Act, because if certain people are denied the vote, we will be subject to the tyranny of the minority.

The GOP has stacked the deck, preventing many bills supported by the majority of Americans, such as gun safety, health care and reproductive rights, voting rights, and infrastructure legislation, from being passed. Passing the Freedom to Vote Act and abolishing the filibuster will restore balance to our democratic institutions. Our democracy is at stake!

“When Congressional Republicans are willing to tank the economy and literally ruin millions of families’ livelihoods as part of some political strategy, you no longer have a loyal opposition, you have a dangerous threat to the American people. That is what Mitch’s obsession with power has done to the GOP.” House Budget Chair John Yarmuth (D-Ky)

Next week in Congress could be a train wreck. So much needs to be accomplished in the remaining days of this month. This week’s DAs focused on preparing advocates for the week ahead and urging calls to our Members of Congress so they know how we feel about the Freedom to Vote Act, taxing billionaires to help Build Back Better bill, and confronting the ridiculous but dangerous drama of the debt ceiling.

Raising the debt ceiling doesn’t create more debt. It merely allows the Treasury to issue enough bonds to cover spending Congress already authorized. Since Congress clearly intends funds to be spent carrying out the legislation it passes, refusing to allow this is bad faith political theater with real-life economic consequences. The remedy? Remove it from the GOP arsenal by eliminating it.

The Freedom to Vote Act Senator Merkley helped to draft this summer will go a long way towards protecting our freedom to vote and realizing the promise of democracy for all. It creates a federal right to vote that can be protected in the courts and sets national standards for the safe and free casting of ballots and for ensuring that every vote is properly counted—which will finally let us choose our representatives rather than letting them use gerrymandering to pick their voters. We must work tirelessly to help get this legislation passed.

Next week in Congress could be a train wreck. So much needs to be accomplished in the remaining days of this month. This week’s DAs focused on preparing advocates for the week ahead and urging calls to our Members of Congress so they know how we feel about the Freedom to Vote Act, taxing billionaires to help Build Back Better bill, and confronting the ridiculous but dangerous drama of the debt ceiling.