Take Action
Contact members of Congress.
Calls are best. Topic scripts and phone numbers below.
Attend an event.
Access to Updated COVID Vaccines
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced changes to COVID vaccine approval. Updated vaccines would be available only to adults 65 and older and to children and adults with underlying medical conditions.
The FDA is part of the executive branch and does not report directly to Congress. Still, forceful speech from our members of Congress can help spotlight the topic and add pressure for the FDA to follow science, not politics.
Details and a call script are on the 5 Calls website.
Senate Actions on Budget Reconciliation
As recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, the budget reconciliation bill would be the largest upward transfer of wealth in recent history and would add trillions to the deficit. It’s now up to the Senate to restore sanity.
Details and a call script are in the May 23 installment of the “Chop Wood, Carry Water” Substack.
As of Sunday, June 1, this one is for the senators only.
Cuts to Medicare
The latest version (at this writing) of the federal budget reconciliation bill would trigger $500 billion in cuts to Medicare in addition to cutting almost $800 billion from Medicaid and roughly $279 billion from SNAP.
Details and a call script are in the May 21 installment of the “Chop Wood, Carry Water” Substack.
As of Thursday May 22, this one is for the senators only.
Harmful Provisions in the Budget Reconciliation Bill
As reported largely on 5 Calls, the in-progress federal budget reconciliation bill (the so-called “big, beautiful bill”) has many harmful elements — including attempts to sneak policy changes through by disguising them as fiscal provisions. Please contact our House representative. Here’s a script, followed by phone numbers.
“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I urge you to oppose harmful elements in the budget reconciliation bill by voting no until they are removed. Specifically, I’m very concerned about… [pick up to three below]:
Cuts to Medicaid [and]
Cuts to nutrition assistance including SNAP, affecting food security for more than 12 percent of the nation [and]
Cuts to student aid [and]
Cuts to federal worker retirement benefits [and]
Defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [and]
Rolling back green energy grants [and]
Allowing new or resumed oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, along with new coal mining on public lands [and]
Selling hundreds of thousands of acres of public land in Nevada and Utah [and]
Attempting to usurp federal regulations by thwarting the Byrd tests [and]
Funding the “Golden Dome” missile defense system as an apparent precursor to handing lucrative contracts to Elon Musk [and]
Preventing courts from using federal funds to enforce compliance with court orders — thus limiting judges’ ability to hold the Trump administration accountable [and]
Enabling the treasury secretary to designate any U.S. nonprofit as a “terrorist supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status, with no obligation to present evidence.
Congress should pass a fair and responsible budget that helps working families and communities, not one that slashes our benefits and protections to fund tax cuts and windfalls for the wealthy.”
As of Thursday May 22, this one is for the senators only.
Thanks for Standing against the Trump Administration
Along with requests, it can also be effective to thank members of Congress for their actions so far. Here’s a script, followed by phone numbers.
“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP]. Thank you for all you’ve done to stand up against the harmful, illegal actions of the Trump administration. Please continue using all your resources to stand up for our constitution and the rights of all Americans. ‘Business as usual’ is not enough in this dangerous time. We need strong, loud, active opposition.”
This one is for our two senators only.
Peril for Habeas Corpus
Trump adviser Stephen Miller recently said the administration is “actively looking at” speeding up mass deportation by ignoring the writ of habeas corpus — the bedrock Constitutional right (Article 1, Section 9) of those held by the state to challenge their imprisonment in court. The writ applies to all, including non-citizens. Historically, its suspension has required express authorization from Congress. Please contact members of Congress. Tell them you want them to act. Here’s a script and phone numbers:
“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
Stephen Miller recently said the Trump administration is “actively looking at” speeding up mass deportation by ignoring habeas corpus. If the administration can do that to immigrants, it could do that to lock up or deport any of us. Until now, suspension of habeas corpus has required express authorization from Congress. I’m calling on you to assert your authority as a member of Congress and stand up against this alarming slide toward tyranny.”
ICE Aggression
ICE agents recently arrested Newark’s mayor. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Securty — of which ICE is a component agency — threatened the arrest of members of Congress. Please contact members of Congress. Tell them you want them to act. Here’s a script and phone numbers:
“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
ICE arrested Newark’s mayor, and a DHS spokesperson threatened to arrest members of Congress who had every right to be at — and to inspect — an ICE facility. They’re also violently arresting teenagers, wearing masks so they can’t be identified, and sometimes refusing to show ID. All of it is outrageous, and much of it is likely illegal. We need investigations into these abuses. Tom Homan and Kristi Noem need to answer for them. ICE needs to be reined in — now.”
Cuts to Medicaid
Congressional leaders are calling for steep cuts to Medicaid that would affect more than eight million people. Please contact our House representative. Here’s a script and phone numbers:
“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
Republicans’ proposed Medicaid cuts for the next fiscal year are unacceptable. Cutting over $700 billion in health coverage means at least eight million people will lose their health insurance. Some will die because they can’t afford care. The fact that Republicans are willing to literally let Americans die so that rich people can get tax cuts is nauseating. I also oppose cutting federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Vote no.”
As of Thursday May 22, this one is for the senators only.
Military Policing on U.S. Soil
Trump has declared the southern border a military installation to bypass the law. Please contact members of Congress. Tell them you want them to act. Here’s a script and phone numbers:
“My name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP]. I am tired of President Trump declaring a fraudulent emergency every time he wants to violate or skirt the law.
He did that to send prisoners to El Salvador without due process. He did that to increase unnecessary oil drilling. And now he has declared a 60-foot strip of land around our three southern states at the Mexican border to be a military installation where anyone can be arrested for trespassing. We have a Posse Comitatus Act to prevent the military from policing civilians. He is turning the U.S. military into a force against U.S. citizens — and it has to stop.
I want [REP/SEN NAME] to enact legislation, like Rep. Andy Biggs’ H.R. 125, the Limiting Emergency Powers Act, that cancels any presidentially declared emergency in 30 days unless Congress approves it. This is not a perfect solution but it is a start. I want you to start now.”
Cuts to Public Broadcasting
Trump has declared an intent to end federal funding for public media. Please contact members of Congress. Tell them you want them to act. Here’s a script and phone numbers:
“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I demand that [REP/SEN NAME] oppose any cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, including Trump's demand to cut funding for NPR and PBS. Money for NPR and PBS is well-spent on news, information and educational programming for the American public, especially in rural and underserved areas.”