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Hi, all, and happy Thursday!

I’m on a plane flying back to LA and boy, do I have a lot to tell you.

I and my fellow content creators stayed pretty busy in the two days we were in DC. I personally had the honor of interviewing 11 House representatives (Horsford, Kennedy, Crow, Scanlon, Torres, Fernandez, Larson, Courtney, Boyle, Castor, and Walkinshaw) and 6 US Senators (Wyden, Durbin, Blumenthal, Merkley, Kim, and Warner). Our group also got two separate tours of the Capitol — one from Rep. Raskin on Tuesday and another from Senator Booker (with a cameo by Minority Leader Schumer) on Wednesday. Finally, we met privately with Senators Markey and, separately, Murray.

I tell you all of this not to brag—although it was incredible—but to make clear that I had the time, opportunity, and access to get a clear sense of what’s happening in our government right now, as well as where Democrats’ heads are at.

It’s both very ugly and very beautiful.

Let’s talk about the ugly first. As I said above, the Capitol is virtually empty. The visitors’ center is closed, the hallways eerily quiet, all hearings and committee meetings cancelled. There isn’t a Republican House member to be seen (aside for Virginia Fox, who was only in town to cover for Mike Johnson, and whom I spotted in passing on the Capitol train). It felt a bit like being in a museum after hours; a place normally so filled with people is both lovely and melancholy when it’s not.

Democrats from both chambers, of course, are all in DC, and they’re mighty worried, folks. They’re also angry. Most took great pains to underscore how abnormal this situation is. One lawmaker who’d been through a shutdown when Boehner was Speaker said “during that shutdown we were here 24/7. If anything, we worked longer hours trying to get the government up and running again!” Every single Congressmember I spoke to is beside themselves with concern for their constituents. There wasn’t a sole Democrat who came across as callous or indifferent. To the contrary, they are worked up. They’re livid. They’re incredulous.

Another thing you should know—and I heard this from Rep. Raskin and a few others—is that most Democrats aren’t taking a paycheck during the shutdown. Raskin told me he could never in good conscience do so when the majority of federal workers aren’t getting paid. He, as well as pretty much every other Congressmember I spoke to, is furious that House Republicans are taking their paychecks and doing nothing. “They’ve been on a paid vacation for a month while Americans are losing their healthcare!”—I heard some variation on that line, spoken with sincere frustration, dozens of times. The anger is palpable.

And I’ll tell you what, folks—your calls and stories are making an impact. Lawmaker after lawmaker told me about constituents who were panicked over the upcoming healthcare cost increases, or the SNAP cuts, or both. Senator Murray knew the first names of several who would be affected. Senator Kim looked almost tearful over how badly New Jersey residents would be hurt (he’s incredible, by the way). Senator Merkley (who’s also incredible) knew exactly how many Oregonian children rely on SNAP—it’s 210,000—and could be going without food starting next week.

Over and over I heard the same things: we have to fix this. Real people are going to suffer. This can’t go on. Republicans have got to come back to work.

But I heard, too, an undertone of pessimism that they would —at least anytime soon. There is a real sense that the legislative branch has collapsed under Trump, and that until Democrats regain control there can be no progress, no checks and balances, and no accountability. Democrats are doing what they can and doing it well, but they’re pretty much disgusted with their counterparts across the aisle, whom they rightly feel have abandoned ship.

So that’s the ugly.

The beautiful? I left there feeling prouder than I have ever been to be on our side. I’m deeply grateful to the Democrats in Congress right now, too. They are genuinely throwing down even though they, like all of us, are worried, angry, and exhausted. Every single one of them in their own unique way—even those with whom I disagree on certain issues—struck me as caring, smart people who feel a responsibility to fight for their constituents.

One final thing? Being walked around the Capitol by lawmakers with a deep knowledge of—and reverence for—American history was inspiring and deeply hopeful. It was even more moving when juxtaposed with Trump’s callous disregard for the same. I desperately want Schumer to step aside, but I must confess that his passion for history and the Constitution was contagious as he showed us around his office, pointing out an early painting of George Washington and ushering us to his “favorite balcony” with a glorious view of the Mall. Rep. Raskin is every bit as brilliant, humble, and genial as you’d think he’d be, and smarter than you can believe. Booker, with whom I have some real disagreements, was nevertheless personable, witty, and possibly even more excited about US history than Raskin or Schumer. It was was both inspiring and moving to see the love of country reflected in these men’s reverence for the buildings that house its government.

There’s so much more to tell, but this is already a long introduction. I’ll be posting my interviews with the various lawmakers with whom I spoke, but suffice it to say that even the least impressive Democrat I met was more impressive by a thousand miles than the “best” of the Republicans. Why? Because, among other things, THEY WERE THERE.

Ultimately, after all, showing up for one’s constituents is the biggest part of a lawmaker’s job. Democrats are doing it in spades right now.

Republicans quite simply are not.

So let’s get back to thanking (and pushing) the former, while castigating the latter for abandoning their posts during our hour of need.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

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

[If Democrat:]

I’m calling to thank the Senator for holding the line in this budget fight. I know it’s hard, but we want Democrats to know that we see that they’re fighting and we appreciate it. Please ask the Senator to continue to fight to keep healthcare and food affordable. And ask him/her to demand that the USDA release the 6 billion dollars in emergency funding so SNAP can be funded.

One last thing: WE DO NOT WANT NUCLEAR TESTING. My God, that is terrifying. Trump must be stopped. Thanks!

[If GOP:]

I am disgusted with Republicans in Congress right now. Using SNAP as a bargaining chip to try to score political points against Democrats is appalling. Doing so because you don’t want to help Americans afford healthcare is even worse. Republicans are caving to Trump, abdicating their responsibility to their constituents, and lying to the American people. It’s unconscionable. The Senator needs to stand up to Trump, demand that the USDA release the contingency money to pay for SNAP, vote to permanently extend the ACA tax credits, and start doing his/her job! I don’t take kindly to paying people who are violating their oaths of office.

One last thing: WE DO NOT WANT NUCLEAR TESTING. My God, that is terrifying. Trump must be stopped. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

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

[If Democrat:]

I’m calling to thank the Congressmember for holding the line in this budget fight. I know that Republicans are taking a paid vacation while Democrats are working with no pay, so we want them to know that we see how hard they’re fighting and we appreciate it. Please ask the Congressmember to continue to fight to keep healthcare and food affordable. And please ask him/her to demand that the USDA release the 6 billion dollars in emergency funding so SNAP can be funded.

One last thing: WE DO NOT WANT NUCLEAR TESTING. My God, that is terrifying. Trump must be stopped. Thanks!

[If GOP:]

I am calling to say that I’m disgusted with House Republicans. They need to get back to DC and do their jobs. House Democrats are in DC working and not taking a paycheck—meanwhile Republicans are being paid for doing NOTHING. It’s outrageous. The Congressmember needs to come back to DC, work with Democrats to pass legislation to keep our healthcare costs down, and tell the USDA to release the contingency money to pay for SNAP. I don’t take kindly to paying people who refuse to show up to work.

Also, Mike Johnson needs to be replaced as Speaker and Adelita Grijalva needs to be sworn in.

One last thing: WE DO NOT WANT NUCLEAR TESTING. My God, that is terrifying. Trump must be stopped. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

Let’s call Mike Johnson. ‭(202) 225-4000‬ or ‭(318) 840-0309 ‬or ‭(337) 423-4232‬ or ‭(318) 497-6610‬

Say something like:

It’s been 30 days since Adelita Grijalva won her election, and Speaker Johnson still hasn’t sworn her in. It’s outrageous and wrong. The Speaker needs to stop covering for pedophiles, stop cowering to Trump, swear in Grijalva, bring his caucus back to DC, and get to work. The American people aren’t paying him to spread lies, obstruct justice, and jack up our costs. And we’re not paying House Republicans to sit at home and do nothing. We’re in a healthcare crisis, a hunger crisis, and a Constitutional crisis. Tell him to do his job or step down. Thanks.

Get Smart! 📚

How to Talk About Climate & Clean Energy

The Yale Center for Environmental Communication has new research on whether people view climate action and cost of living as competing goals–-and what that means for effective messaging. They’re eager to share what they’ve learned with you!

Please join them for a discussion on Thursday, November 6 at 1pm ET via Zoom. They’ll be sharing key findings from the research, including both audience insights and effective messaging recommendations. If you care about climate change—and we all do—this is a webinar you shouldn’t miss! Why? Because the way we talk about climate makes a huge difference in how much Americans support acting on it.

RSVP here.

Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣

ASO Communications has provided some suggested messaging for the Trump SNAP cuts:

On November 1, 2025, 1 in 8 Americans will have less food to eat because the Trump MAGA regime is choosing to finance fascism while starving our families.

Narrative

No matter what we look like, where we call home or what’s in our wallets, most of us would do whatever it takes to feed our families. But this November, as Trump bulldozes our White House to build his ballroom, someone you love will go hungry because the MAGA regime and the corporate cowards that support them are stealing food from our families while they cut our healthcare, raise our prices, and abduct our neighbors. By joining together, we can ensure all of our families are fed and free America from rule by the bullies for the billionaires.

Talking Points

The MAGA regime is making the choice to let children go hungry.

The MAGA regime is catering to billionaires while starving our families.

This November [or “this holiday season,” “this Thanksgiving”], someone you love will go hungry because of the MAGA regime.

The MAGA regime and their corporate cowards are pricing us out of our homes, our healthcare and the food on our plates.

Give 💰!

My friend Lindsay, who has an Instagram account called Still We Rise, started a fundraiser this week for an amazing organization called No Kid Hungry. Their purpose is pretty self explanatory—they want to ensure that no American child goes without proper nutrition.

A couple of us used our accounts to join in, and together we’ve raised almost 20K to help feed hungry kiddos! If anyone else wants to help in this way the link to give is here. If you don’t have Instagram you can give straight through the website (it won’t be counted towards our totals, but who cares?)

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

[To: all 3 reps] [H/T ] [Text SIGN PIRZNT 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.)

Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to “match” Russia and China in nuclear weapons testing — a reckless move that threatens to shatter more than three decades of nuclear restraint and global stability.

The United States has not conducted a full nuclear test since 1992. Neither Russia nor China has resumed such tests, and for good reason: the world remembers what nuclear fallout and arms races look like. Trump’s call to restart testing — based on false claims that America is “falling behind” — risks undoing decades of progress and breaking our commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Restarting nuclear tests would endanger civilians, poison land and water, and destabilize international security. It would also put Nevada and neighboring states directly in harm’s way, reopening the wounds left by Cold War contamination.

Congress must act immediately to block this directive. Support Representative Dina Titus’s pledge to introduce legislation stopping any resumption of nuclear testing. Reaffirm that America leads through restraint, not provocation — through the strength of our alliances, not the size of our craters.

The world cannot afford another nuclear arms race, and the American people will not accept a president gambling with global survival for political theater.

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

Talk soon.

Jess

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