Hi, all, and happy Thursday.
Once again, wishing a meaningful Yom Kippur to those who observe it.
We’re on day two of a government shutdown, and hoo boy, the lies are flying thick and fast. To deflect from the fact that they’re on the losing end of the messaging war, Republicans are using one talking point to defend their position over and over again. Since that talking point is categorically false, I thought I’d pass along the DPCC’s fact check so you can be armed with the facts.
Here it is:
FACT CHECK: REPUBLICAN LIE ABOUT HEALTH CARE FOR “ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS”
Republican Lie: “Democrats are shutting down the government to provide health care to illegal immigrants.”
Facts:
Undocumented immigrants are not eligible to enroll in Medicare and Medicaid, and they are also not eligible to purchase coverage on the ACA Marketplace.
Republicans continue to knowingly lie about eligibility for these programs with the hope that repeating this lie will keep the American people from realizing that their very own health care is under attack.
The over 24 million people who rely on the ACA are not illegal immigrants or fraudsters, they are working people and families with no other access to affordable insurance. Nearly 90 percent of the total growth in the ACA Marketplace since 2020 has occurred in states that Trump won during the 2024 election. Nearly half of the small business owners and employees in America buy their coverage through the ACA, as do over 25 percent of American farmers, and the vast majority of these people purchase their coverage using enhanced premium tax credits.
Hopefully that helps!
If Congress does not extend the enhanced premium tax credits immediately, four million people will lose their health care and 24 million Americans will see their costs skyrocket. Current estimates show Americans would see their out-of-pocket premiums increase by 114% – more than double – if Republicans refuse to act.
Remember, Republicans acted quickly to pass tax cuts for billionaires this summer, despite them also expiring December 31 of this year. Americans are already getting notices about skyrocketing costs and deciding now if they can afford to keep their health coverage.
Where is Republicans’ urgency to lower health care costs for middle class families, farmers, small business owners and veterans? They have none. In fact Republican lawmakers have almost all left town. Meanwhile Trump is threatening more mass layoffs, and has already started withholding funds from federally funded projects in blue states.
Y’all, it’s vile. But instead of getting mad let’s get busy. Remember: every campaign for which we volunteer, every phone call we make, every protest at which we show up, every Trump-supporting company we boycott, all of it matters. Trump is weaker than he appears—and if you don’t believe me listen to AOC above; she explains where we are perfectly. The TLDR: Yes, it’s bad. AND YES WE CAN BEAT HIM.
But only by getting to work. So let’s do that.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling to urge the Senator to oppose any federal budget deal that doesn’t extend the ACA premium tax credits and stop Trump’s illegal budget cuts and impoundments. Congress needs to hold firm during this shut down and refuse to give yet another blank check to an authoritarian. [H/T]
I’m also furious that Trump is threatening to fire tens of thousands of federal workers during this shutdown. These are real people with real families and real bills to pay. The fact that Trump’s gleefully using them as leverage in a shutdown fight just shows how out of touch he is with the pain Americans are feeling. I want the Senator to make a statement opposing these firings.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling to urge the Congressmember to oppose any federal budget deal that doesn’t extend the ACA premium tax credits and stop Trump’s illegal budget cuts and impoundments. Congress needs to hold firm during this shut down and refuse to give yet another blank check to an authoritarian. [H/T]
I’m also furious that Trump is threatening to fire tens of thousands of federal workers during this shutdown. These are real people with real families and real bills to pay. The fact that Trump’s gleefully using them as leverage in a shutdown fight just shows how out of touch he is with the pain Americans are feeling. I want the Congressmember to make a statement opposing these firings. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
After many threats and attacks, it appears that the boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a multi-national mission carrying aid into Gaza, have been illegally intercepted on international waters by the Israeli government. International law protects peaceful citizens at sea. Let’s demand the State Department uphold its duty to these American citizens, many of whom are former servicemembers.
Contact the State Department here.
I said:
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a multi-national mission carrying aid into Gaza, has been illegally intercepted on international waters. There are many US citizens aboard, several of whom are former servicemembers. They need your help. International law protects peaceful citizens at sea and it is the duty of the U.S. government to protect Americans abroad from illegal detention by foreign governments. The State Department must uphold its duty to Americans and intervene with the Israeli government now, please.
Also, here is a toolkit with the phone numbers of U.S. representatives whose constituents have been detained. There’s a simple call script. Please call as many as you can and ask these lawmakers to intervene on their constituents’ behalf.
Get Smart! 📚
National nonprofit Stand with Trans is hosting a Trans Empowerment Month: Love Transcends, their sixth annual celebration happening October 6-30. This essential programming counters the unprecedented attacks facing transgender youth with empowerment, community connection, and hope.
With 30+ virtual sessions including workshops, mental health resources, family support, and community celebration, Trans Empowerment Month serves transgender youth and the entire LGBTQ+ community nationwide.
Registration is free for ages 24 and under. Use code “TEM2025” for a special community discount for adults 25+.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
TRUMP SHUTDOWN TALKING POINTS
Republicans have control of the House, Senate, and White House.
Donald Trump and the Republicans are plunging America into a shutdown – rejecting bipartisan talks, pushing a partisan bill, and wreaking havoc on Americans’ health care.
Donald Trump is owning the shutdown and has been clear he’s going to use the American people as political pawns.
Democrats proposed a solution that would fund the government and spare Americans the calamity of higher health care costs.
But Republicans refuse to negotiate, once again choosing to go-it-alone with a partisan bill that intentionally drives America into a shutdown.
There is a crisis in American health care and Republicans are asleep at the wheel.
Tens of millions of Americans are getting letters in the mail informing them that their healthcare premiums are about to shoot up by an average of 114% – more than double.
Four million people are about to lose coverage.
24 million people will see their health care costs go up.
This is a crisis.
Republicans are lying to the American people because they know how unpopular their position is.
The Kaiser Family Foundation poll showed 75% of Americans support extending the ACA premium tax credits, including 63% of Republicans.
ABSENT ACTION NOW, COSTS WILL SKYROCKET
A typical family of four making $125,000 would see their health care costs increase by $7,700 on average.
A 60-year-old couple making $80,000 would see their health care costs increase by $17,500 on average.
A family of four making $64,000 would see their health care costs increase by $2,600 on average.
Give 💰!
HUGE NEWS! Our States Project Giving Circle — Chop Wood, Carry Statehouses — is raising money for Virginia’s upcoming elections!
The Virginia elections are the first major elections since Trump took office. If you have been waiting for an opportunity to send a message that the tide is turning, this is it. Let’s not simply defend our one-seat margin in the State House, but create a powerful governing majority; a body that will resist the federal government and decide what policies it will or won’t enact.
If you want to have a concrete electoral impact ASAP, joining my Giving Circle here is one of the most important and radically pragmatic actions you can take. The Virginia House was won by 975 votes in 2023, and our dollars are putting the candidates on the doors. It’s as simple as that. With every legislator we help send to Richmond, the message is louder and the guardrails are stronger.
GIVE HERE! I’ve set a 25K goal. Can we do it? I HOPE SO!
Get in the Streets! 🪧
[H/T Rebecca R.]
Don’t assume your friends know about the Oct 18 rally!
Some of them need a personal invitation to even be aware that it’s happening… and others need a lot of encouragement to get out of their comfort zones.
Personal invites make a huge difference.
A great way to gently encourage folks to attend (especially if it’s for the first time) is to invite them to a sign making party the day before the rally.
People love to help in different ways, and this is an excellent, low-pressure starter step for people who are new to activism.
Win Races! 🗳
Please consider phone banking for Virginia with the Center For Common Ground.
Here’s the secret: it’s not that bad! It’s even fun. It’s FREE! 💰💲 It’s also private - your phone number is never seen. All you need is a phone, to receive the initial connection, a computer, and a little time. You set the pace. AND you leave messages!
Gabriel Wheaton and other phone bank leaders, as well as those at the Worker’s Circle, will patiently guide you through everything you need to get started! You can sign up for Mondays here, and for Tuesdays and Thursdays here. After you’re trained, you can do it on your own time - a half hour here, a half hour there!
THIS IS HOW WE WIN! Thanks.
Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥
Here’s a friendly reminder that if you’re willing to give 5 minutes a day to taking action specifically on climate, the Climate Action Now app is absolutely fantastic. It provides easy, meaningful, brilliantly curated actions to not just federal officials but state, city, and municipal. All about climate! It’s amazing.
Go here to download the app and get started!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all three reps] [H/T ] [Text SIGN PLHMCX 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 write to demand immediate action: Congress must declare, in clear and binding law, that the U.S. military shall not be used as a domestic police force or a political weapon.
In a recent speech the President openly described using our own cities as practice fields for the armed forces — saying he would “use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military.” Those words are chilling. They describe turning American neighborhoods into test sites for military tactics and treating American citizens as adversaries. That is incompatible with the Constitution and the rule of law.
[Read the rest of the letter here.]
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
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