Hi, all, and happy Tuesday,
A couple of things worth knowing today:
Donald Trump’s approval rating, per a new Reuters poll, just hit an all-time low of 36%. G. Elliot Morris has him a tad higher—at 37%—but notes that for the first time ever he is underwater on all issues, including border security, an issue on which he was net positive (barely) until this week. His approval ratings on prices are especially abysmal—and this polling was done before most Iran-related price hikes hit. We really haven’t started to feel grocery price increases yet, but we will, due to the astronomical increases in fertilizer prices as well as the steep uptick in diesel costs.
These numbers, in short, will only get worse from here. Trump knows it. Republicans know it.
And that, my friends, is why we’re seeing the desperate, relentless push for the passage of the SAVE America Act. The lower Trump’s numbers get, the harder we’ll see him lobby for the passage of this bill—he is backed against a wall, after all. His only other option would be to admit he’s made a ton of bad policy choices and reverse course, but he can’t or won’t do that. So it’s “cheat or perish,” as far as he’s concerned.
That’s going to make for an exhausting several months for us, but we can’t relent. Democrats are, so far, standing strong on SAVE and TSA funding—we must demand that they keep doing so. It’s hard, but it’s becoming more clear by the day that this shutdown is entirely Trump’s choice. Continuing it will only make his tumbling numbers worse. Now he’s threatening to send the national guard to airports rather than work with Democrats to pay TSA agents. It’s utterly absurd and wasteful—we should make sure to tell our reps as much.
And by the way, if your Republican representatives tell you they support the SAVE Act because they think mail-in voting is untrustworthy, make sure you tell them that Trump voted by mail in the recent Florida elections. We have the receipts.
Finally, how are your No Kings preparations going? I’m going to be on the East coast on Saturday—we’re going to NY for Spring break—so I’ll either be attending the NYC march or a smaller one upstate. Let us know in the comments where you’re going to be! And remember to email, text, or call everyone you know and make sure they’ve got a plan to attend! Nokings.org has all the information they’ll need.
OK, all. Let’s get to the most important part: where we take small, easy actions that, when put together with other people’s, can change the course of history.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I know Senator Murphy is introducing another war powers resolution in the Senate tonight. I expect the Senator to vote yes. The fact that Congress hasn’t used its Constitutional powers to stop Trump’s illegal war is shameful. How much more damage needs to be done before Congress does its job?
Second, I fully oppose a FISA reauthorization unless there it includes substantive new guardrails on mass surveillance. Intelligence agencies should have warrants to search Americans’ data, and the “data broker loophole” needs to be closed. I am watching this vote very carefully and I will be very, very upset if the Senator votes for a clean reauthorization.
Finally, Congress needs to immediately pass a funding bill for TSA, FEMA and all other DHS agencies that are not ICE and Border Patrol. These agencies should not be held hostage while Congress negotiates the necessary changes for ICE and Border Patrol. I also ask that Congress block the administration from deploying ICE agents or the National Guard to airports to handle security. None of them are trained in airport security and will do nothing but cause chaos. Thanks. [H/T]
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I’m calling to urge the representative to oppose the Paramount-Warner Brothers merger. This blatantly corrupt merger will give Trump and his billionaire allies an unlawful media monopoly, significantly harm consumers and workers, and endanger our free speech and free press. [H/T]
Second, I fully oppose a FISA reauthorization unless there it includes substantive new guardrails on mass surveillance. Intelligence agencies should have warrants to search Americans’ data, and the “data broker loophole” needs to be closed. I am watching this vote very carefully and I will be very, very upset if the Congressmember votes for a clean reauthorization.
Finally, Congress needs to immediately pass a funding bill for TSA, FEMA and all other DHS agencies that are not ICE and Border Patrol. These agencies should not be held hostage while Congress negotiates the necessary changes for ICE and Border Patrol. I also ask that Congress block the administration from deploying ICE agents or the National Guard to airports to handle security. None of them are trained in airport security and will do nothing but cause chaos. Thanks. [H/T]
Extra Credit ✅
Let’s call Rep. Jim Himes about FISA. If you need more background on why this is desperately important you can read this article or watch my new video about it. Suffice it to say he’s really throwing us under the bus right now and we need to demand he change course.
His number is 202-225-5541 or 203-333-6600 or 203-353-9400
Script:
My name is ______ and I’m calling the Congressmember in his capacity as Ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. I am begging him to stop pushing his colleagues to vote yes on a clean FISA reauthorization. Congress needs to close the data broker loophole and end no-warrant surveillance first. If Congress extends FISA without changes, the government will be able to ignore the Fourth Amendment and seize our data without a warrant. I don’t want the FBI using AI to spy on me and my community—especially with Trump and Kash Patel in charge. Thanks.
Get Smart! 📚
Please join Progressive Caucus Action Fund, Americans for Tax Fairness, and Families Over Billionaires to discuss the stories and profiles of working people who will be worse off because of tax and other policy changes in OBBBA. The briefing will also discuss a NEW, proactive policy agenda of solutions to raise revenue not only address these harms and provide a vision for an economy that works for everyone.
Wednesday, March 25 at 12PM PT / 3PM ET
Get in the Streets! 🪧
NO KINGS ACCESSIBLE RALLY
March 28, 12:30 - 2:00pm CT followed by live stream of the national flagship event from the Twin Cities (MN).
An accessible and inclusive rally for everyone, everywhere. If you can’t get out into the streets you can still participate!
Organized by Stand Up for Science, Protect Our Health, and Defend Our Democracy.
Details on speakers and a link to the event will be available soon at standupforscience.net/sufs-nk3. We will have ASL interpreting and live captioning. We have the power and are claiming it together. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
The New York Times posted an article about why now would be a good time to buy a used EV. They also answer a lot of FAQs about being an EV owner.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T ] [Text SIGN PFZDIV 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.)
I am writing to demand that you publicly condemn Donald Trump’s disgraceful statement celebrating the death of Robert Mueller.Robert Mueller was a decorated Marine who served in combat in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He went on to a lifetime of public service as a federal prosecutor, Director of the FBI in the aftermath of 9/11, and Special Counsel investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election. His investigation resulted in dozens of indictments, multiple convictions, and detailed findings that a foreign adversary carried out “multiple, systematic efforts” to influence an American election.Mueller represented a model of steady, disciplined service to the rule of law. Upon his death, the President of the United States responded by saying he was “glad” Mueller was dead.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
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