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Hi, all, and happy Friday!

It occurred to me today, when starting to write this edition, that trying to decide which one or two subjects to address in my daily call scripts feels, right now, like an absurd exercise. There is SO MUCH to be upset about. So while I will always send you a script I think is relevant, timely, and urgent, I encourage you to lean heavily on 5 Calls as well. There are just too many things happening, friends, for me to cover them all.

We should all be calling to get food into Gaza. We should all be calling to decry the outrageous Paramount Plus merger approval and the bribery that led to it. The Texas gerrymander is an outrage; so is MAGA’s coverup on Epstein. So is the fact that the Forest Service is understaffed for fire season by 27%.

I could go on, obviously. It’s a firestorm of awful, my friends. But remember how we’ll get through it: one day, one action, one step at a time.

Think of how you’d pedal a bike up a steep hill—not by staring up at the top of the incline and using the most difficult gear to try to get there quickly. No, you’d look down at your front tire, switch into the easiest gear, and take it one (grueling) turn of the pedals at a time. At least that’s how I do it!

When we do that long enough we always reach the crest of the hill. And so we will here.

We’re in the thick of it and it’s hard as hell. Let’s comfort ourselves, at least, by remembering that Trump is possibly having a worse time of it right now than we are. Good! Long may it last.

In the meantime, let’s get back to our pedals. The journey is long but we’re in excellent shape. We’ll get there eventually. And when we do how good it will feel to know that we didn’t give up, even when the going got tough.

THAT is what courage looks like. Thanks for having so much of it. Now let’s get to work.

Call Your Senators (find yours here and/or use this list to find staffer contact info) 📲

Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

First, I understand that the White House just denied Gov. Wes Moore’s request for $16 million in FEMA assistance with no explanation. Just a day earlier, Trump officials approved disaster relief for Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and West Virginia. This is outrageous. Disaster aid cannot be politicized this way—we are the United States. Trump needs to release aid to Maryland, California, and any other so-called blue states that need it now.

Also, I’m horrified that Trump dispatched his former personal criminal defense lawyer to meet in person —and in private—with Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell is a known sex trafficker who also allegedly assaulted some of Epstein’s victims. To give her a special meeting with the president’s close associate is horrific and inappropriate. If some sort of deal comes out of it the American people will be livid. We want the truth about Epstein, not more coverups. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here and/or use this list to find staffer contact info) 📲 📲

Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

Extra Credit ✅

[H/T ]

In response to Georgia’s planned removal of nearly 500,000 voters from the rolls, Fair Fight launched a new online tool to help Georgians check if they’re at risk of being purged and take steps to stay registered.

The tool offers clear guidance, background on the purge process, and a way for voters to report wrongful removal. Fair Fight is promoting it through texts, emails, ads, and social media to protect voter access ahead of key fall elections. But we can and must promote it, too! Your job? Send it to everyone you know in Georgia, post about it on social media, and get this info out there!

Get Smart! 📚

Reproductive freedom, voting rights, public education, and democracy itself are on the line in Virginia this November. Control of the Governor’s office, every House of Delegates seat, and thousands of local races will shape the state’s future.

Join COURIER on Tuesday, July 29 at 7:00 PM ET for a virtual conversation with Delegates Candi King and Michael Feggens and local Virginia creators as they discuss what’s resonating with voters, what’s at stake, and how to fight back against right-wing misinformation and low turnout.

With trusted reporting from Dogwood and their network of local creators, COURIER is mobilizing voters where traditional media fails. Learn how authentic, community-rooted content can help defend democracy in 2025 and beyond.

Please use this link to register.

Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣

Don’t let Trump bury the Epstein files!

Here’s Indivisible’s toolkit to help expose the cover-up.Indivisible has put together an explainer on the state of Trump’s Epstein cover-up, complete with action items and shareable social posts. The Trump regime wants to flex its power to sweep this story of abuse and corruption under the rug; we won’t let that happen.

Get in the Streets! 🪧

Join the March for Integrity on July 27 to get money out of politics. In D.C. and nationwide.

moneyoutofpolitics.org

Win Races! 🗳

Are you ready to make calls and talk to voters to ensure we elect Abigail Spanberger as Virginia’s next Governor?

Join the Grassroots Dems HQ on Mondays and Wednesdays at 3PM PT/6PM ET, Fridays at 2pm PT/5pm ET, and Sundays at 1PM PT/4PM ET to call voters across the state!

RSVP HERE.

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

Amidst heat waves, storms, and floods actoss the country, it’s never been more evident why we need environmental leadership. Join your fellow volunteers to make calls with Environmental Voter Project next Tuesday, July 29, at 12pm ET / 9am PT; and next Wednesday, July 30, at 6pm ET / 3pm PT. And there are tons more opportunities here.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

[To: all 3 reps] [H/T ] [Text SIGN PLWOBX to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]

(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)

The Trump regime’s failure to disburse congressionally-approved grant funding for Head Start programs is unacceptable. Head Start provides critical early childhood education and support services to nearly 800,000 low-income children, fostering healthy development and yielding long-term benefits. Eliminating or underfunding this program would devastate vulnerable families who rely on Head Start for high-quality education, childcare, food assistance, and developmental screenings.

The Government Accountability Office has confirmed the administration’s actions are illegal. Congress must take immediate action to demand the release of all impounded Head Start funds. Robust funding for Head Start must also be included in the FY2026 appropriations bill. The well-being and education of our nation’s children should be a paramount priority.

There is no better investment we can make than ensuring access to high-quality early childhood programs like Head Start for all families, regardless of income level. I urge you to stand firmly against any attempts to undermine or defund this vital program that strengthens communities and provides a foundation for children’s lifelong success.

OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess

Chop Wood, Carry Water is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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