🚨Emergency Call to Action
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has acquiesced to Republican pressure and is now advising members of his caucus not to oppose this bill, which jeopardizes Medicare and Social Security.
Despite vowing to oppose Republicans on a bill that would cut $13 billion in non-defense spending and increase defense spending by $6 billion in an overall $1.7 trillion budget in discretionary spending. The Republican bill passed in the House last week does not cover the majority of government spending, including Social Security and Medicare. If we allow this continuing resolution to pass now in the Senate, Democrats will ultimately sacrifice all leverage they have and reward Donald Trump with unlimited discretion on spending decisions.
Yesterday, during a private lunch, Schumer told Democrats that he wants the party to fold in order to avoid a government shutdown by Friday night. Senator Schumer told his caucus that as bad as the GOP bill is, a shutdown would be worse, giving Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk full reign as they tear through the government.
However, allowing Republicans to create a template that enables conservatives to cut entitlement programs that American taxpayers have paid into their entire lives is also not an option. Giving up ground now would only show the GOP that the Democratic Party, which is in the minority and left with very few options, is willing to throw one of the only pieces of leverage they have and roll over for Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE.
If you agree, I am asking that you take a moment to call Senator Schumer’s office to support Democrats in the US Senate WHO DO WANT TO TAKE UP THIS FIGHT NOW.
First, call your US Senator using the script below. Google the phone number of their local state office, which gives you a much better chance of actually speaking to a staffer.
Next, use the following script to explain why you want your Senator to oppose this Continuing Resolution:
“Hi, my name is [name], and I am a longtime Democratic Voter from [city and state].
I'm calling to demand that Senator [name] stand firm and vote NO on Cloture for the Continuing Resolution to prevent a government shutdown - unless it includes solid, enforceable measures to rein in Elon Musk and restore Congress’ constitutional power of the purse.
Despite court rulings, nothing has been done to stop Musk’s illegal federal government takeover. This bill is leverage. Use it. Install real guardrails and reassert Congress’s authority over spending.
I do not want to hear what Democrats can't do because they are in the minority, and empty gestures aren't going to cut it. We need a party that pushes back against the attempts of Trump and Musk to weaponize the federal government against the people it serves. My continued support depends heavily on what [name of Senator] does today to stand up to illegal and elitist decisions that strip away earned benefits for the poor so that the rich can continue to grow more prosperous. I am demanding that the Senator vote “no” on the Continuing Resolution before the US Senate that would fund this unacceptable Republican bill.”
Second, you will want to call the US Senate switchboard (202) 224-3121 and ask for Chuck Schumer’s office. The circuits might be very busy, which is a great sign for our cause and helps to get the point across. If you get through, you can use the same script above.
Third, leave a message for Chuck Schumer now on his message boards. We need mass participation to let the Democrats know that we expect them to fight against this horrible bill using the only leverage they have. Remind Democrats that if they think they have no power now, wait until they give away the last bit of power they have tonight.
Fourth, share this post with everyone you know via email and social media to help spread the word and get more people calling.
We still have power if we have our voices, so let’s use them now!
Amee Vanderpool writes the SHERO Newsletter, is an attorney, published author, contributor to newspapers and magazines, and an analyst for BBC radio. She can be reached at avanderpool@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @girlsreallyrule.
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One of my senators, Elissa Slotkin, addressed the bill from the perspective of a former federal employee. She said that, while she knows this will cause problems for federal workers, it's necessary to protect many other things that the bill will destroy, especially funding for the Great Lakes. Hello? Largest bodies of fresh water in the entire country, anyone?? Maybe try to keep them safe from pollution and other harmful effects (like draining them to water golf courses?)? Even federal employees are begging Democrats not to sign on to this travesty of a budget bill.
I only got through to my own Senators. When I tried to get Schumer it's either busy or I get nothing. I did manage to leave him a message at one of his satellite offices in NY, but that's it.
He also released a letter about his "decision" to the NYT; It's garbage.