216 Comments
User's avatar
Rochelle's avatar

This is absolutely ridiculous, they clearly do not care about anyone but themselves. Are we great yet?

Expand full comment
Cynthia H Lee's avatar

Call your Congress people

Expand full comment
Jill's avatar

Do you think that ANY OF OUR CONGRESS would even get the call or a message TODAY while they are voting for this shit? Obviously our calling and letters and PUBLIC CONDEMNATION Of this bill hasn’t affected their votes or their conscience.

Expand full comment
Cynthia H Lee's avatar

Probably, but maybe not, but at least all those incoming calls/ left messages are tallied which is important at some point.

Expand full comment
Cynthia H Lee's avatar

Sooo sickening

Expand full comment
Sabbath's avatar

I think they might be likely to check their social media on their phone. I could be wrong, but it's worth a try. Tag them and comment on their posts

Expand full comment
Marthanne summers's avatar

Omg! So sorry we haven’t stopped it !! Feeling So helpless ,desperate , so sad!

Expand full comment
Marie K's avatar

Keep calling, emailing, faxing & social media all day! We need to bring the senate phones down! Let them hear us!

Expand full comment
Marc Klein's avatar

Remember, they don't care.. Remember when Joni Earnst said that we're all gonna die anyway and Mike Johnson told Republicans NOT to hold town halls?

Expand full comment
Miranda's avatar

Remember when Republicans said that the democrats wanted "death panels?" I remember.

I work at a small hospital that will probably be one of the first to close if we lose Medicaid and medicare. My job is literally to help find permanent places for patients to live when they can't live on their own.

5 out of 8 residents in nursing homes are these patients. Paid primarily through federal funding. If they don't get paid, those facilities will close and the patients who don't have families will come back to the hospital flooding our floors, taking beds from the people who need them for their current illness. Meaning longer wait times in their ED.

This budget bill will cause this scenario to play out at every hospital across the country. Hospitals will lose funding and close.

Expand full comment
Lisa Gallagher's avatar

My grandmother was one of these patients. It was nerve racking for our family waiting to find out where she could be placed.

This will be WORSE.

Expand full comment
Megan Rothery's avatar

Call over and over and over. All office numbers for every Republican Senator are on my spreadsheet. Make those phones never stop ringing.

Use/share this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, as well as those in others. Use your voice and make some “good trouble” ❤️‍🩹🤍💙

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk

Expand full comment
Marc Klein's avatar

None of them care. If they did, we wouldn't be here

Expand full comment
Megan Rothery's avatar

I get that, and I mostly agree, but -

I don’t think we’ll see many big waves (like a major MAGA Congress member changing their opinions), I think we can cause little ripples. I’m thinking staff members who hear the same thing over and over via voicemail, phone calls, letter after letter, email after email - maybe they’ll be a little more receptive each time they hear from us. Maybe they’ll talk more about our talking points to friends and family, maybeeee they’ll vote differently (if we get to vote again). I think we can cause ripples to push news organizations to be more honest and maybe even a bit accusatory about what’s happening. As a collective, our volume matters. And, at the end of the day, if we just annoy and overwhelm some staffers working for people hurting the average American, I’m ok with that too 🙃

Expand full comment
shelspenc's avatar

Do they take your call even though you’re not their constituent?

Expand full comment
rae-ann Allen's avatar

yes, but I found that I always get a voicemail for my senators. They keep track of zip codes, so yes call anywhere.

Expand full comment
Joan  Boling's avatar

No so far, I have been able at least let too democrats know how I feel and they must keep pushing, one NY the other Mass. Unfortunately TN is a real red state.

Expand full comment
Marie K's avatar

If they are no a special committee that applies they should. I would not go into constituent issues but focus on the issue- I am elderly, disabled, Native American & this bill…

Expand full comment
Megan Rothery's avatar

Yes and no. Some listen, others will immediately say they don’t represent you so they’ll ignore your voice. I listed what committees they’re on because if you reach out about a concern in regard to what fits a committee they’re on, we should push extra for them to listen. I also have an in state address for each one to help bypass the initial “are you a constituent” check…however that might not be the right thing to do

Expand full comment
Roger Wiesmeyer's avatar

I love this comment. Butterfly effect.

Expand full comment
Marie K's avatar

This is filled with wisdom! The staffers are part of our audience also. They have expressed support at office visits because it helps them advocate behind the scenes!

Expand full comment
S. A. Linden's avatar

I get that, and for years have been calling at least hoping that the aides would figure it out if their bosses refused to. Little hopes.

Expand full comment
Rosemary's avatar

Exactly 😡 They have turned into brainless robots, who identify as a MAGA! When Trump took office, every aone of them were told you comply with Donald Trump and Donald Trump only or else there will be consequences. They’ve been told not to hold town halls. They do not speak during house

Senate committee meetings they do not converse with the Democrats in these meetings at all, They sit in silence, stoned faced, and say nothing and do not respond to questions asked to them! As soon as bypartisan committee meetings are over, they run to a secret room behind closed doors and they have their own committee meetings. This is our authoritarian government today and for the rest of your lives.

Expand full comment
Megan Rothery's avatar

We will not let it stay this way.

Expand full comment
Jackie Taylor Miller's avatar

What a relief that I’m finally on a Substack that lets me comment! 🥳

Megan, I can’t thank you enough for tirelessly posting this crucial resource everywhere you can!

You are MY hero — a true Champion of Democracy!

⚡️🏆⚡️

Expand full comment
Megan Rothery's avatar

Thank you so much Jackie! That means a lot!

I do find it funny that I’m paying some accounts in order to comment my spreadsheet, but whatever it takes right now! 🤣

Expand full comment
Jackie Taylor Miller's avatar

I noticed that, and that’s exactly why it’s so important for me to thank you!

I’m on SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps — there’s no way I can afford more than one paid subscription. So you’re actually doing what I would do if I could afford more.

Since I’m confined to my house with several autoimmune diseases, I spend every day here online restacking as many Democracy posts as possible, so I see you everywhere. That’s why I’ve been waiting to tell you that you’re my hero, Megan — please know that you’re speaking for so many of us who can’t be everywhere you are.

Thank you for doing “whatever it takes”! 💝

Expand full comment
Megan Rothery's avatar

Oh and thank YOU for finding a way to be aware and active right now as well!

Expand full comment
Megan Rothery's avatar

I just took a screenshot of your comment so I can pull it up on my days that I feel drained. Thank you. So much.

I’d love recommendations on who you follow. I’m always looking for more to pop up on! I’m a teacher so now that I’m on summer break I can comment a whole lot more ☺️

Expand full comment
Jackie Taylor Miller's avatar

I was a substitute teacher when my 3 kids were in school. They’re in their 40s now! 😄 My favorite age to teach was Jr High, second was high school, and I subbed in elementary ONLY in an emergency. My schtick was good for only about 45 minutes, so I needed to change classes every hour. 😂 Boy, did we ever have fun! Any subject was great, especially Gym because they gave me a whistle! 🤣

What tickles you about teaching?

I sure miss the kids, they lit up my life. 🥰

Anyway, please subscribe to my Substack, and you’ll see the range of content I restack. It’s the best way that I can inform and encourage our fellow resisters right from my bed, so it means the world to me that now you’re encouraged! 💙

Expand full comment
Megan Rothery's avatar

Haha I teach elementary. Just finished year 11! I’ve taught 1st - 3rd grade during those years. Fun question about what tickles me about teaching. It’s hard to explain but the kids brighten my day. Watching them grow academically and socially, building relationships with them, just being up in front of the classroom gives me this peace feeling of being right where I’m supposed to be. It’s exhausting, difficult, and there’s never enough time for things I want to do, but it is the most rewarding thing. It’s definitely my passion.

Once I asked about recommendation in my comment I realized I could go to your Substack and see, so I’m subscribed and will be checking in ☺️

Expand full comment
Diane's avatar

All your reader moms are going to chime in: please let self-care be a priority ! Ear infections are no joke! Healing wishes 💜

Expand full comment
Kerri Grover's avatar

Exactly! Please go get some antibiotics ❤️ so you can get better!

Expand full comment
Sal Teodoro's avatar

How tf do these a**holes vote to throw seniors out into the streets?? Take healthcare and food out of children’s mouths…take food stamps away from people that need them. These people didn’t choose to need these programs but the need them. Now, these idiots are scared to stand up to an orange buffoon! They have the power, not this tiny handed, dirty diaper Mcshitshispants POS .

It’s utterly fkn disgusting. It’s evil.

Expand full comment
Carol R's avatar

I’ve mentioned before that I work at a non-profit organization where we help those in need with emergency funds. Especially to help them keep a roof over their heads. We have a food bank and thrift store and give them these items so their paychecks stretch to cover medicine and rent and gas. But this is going to stretch even our resources. It is heartbreaking 💔 to know that families with kids are living out of their cars. And people this is not only brown and black people but white too. I’m sick of this regime.

Expand full comment
Sal Teodoro's avatar

It affects everyone. Everyone’s healthcare will go up because people will go to the emergency room for doctor visits. Those rural hospitals that depend on Medicaid will close so the nearest hospitals will become too far for some to go to. It’s sickening. These guys are despicable.

Expand full comment
S. A. Linden's avatar

These MAGA GOPs are expecting to throw all the responsibility they're dodging to entities like the one you work for. Also, they are waiting for everything to collapse, just like Gaza, so that they can rebuild by privatizing everything. Trust me, that will cost us much more as they will have their hands out to profit from things that were never meant to be profit-making.

Expand full comment
Kathy Fielding's avatar

This is another instance of history repeating itself. The Donald had casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey. They all went bankrupt. He did not. Now the majority of US citizens will go under. He and his friends will not.

Expand full comment
Richard Parrott's avatar

Are we great yet? Because I am just embarrassed! Congress should be ashamed!

Expand full comment
S. A. Linden's avatar

You know, Richard, it hit me tonight . . . duh . . . that what "Republicans" are intending to do will actually kneecap Trump's "beautiful economy" that he promised MAGA voters. In other words, like Donald's many other enablers, these political goons could actually be trying to save Trump from himself. But no-o-o . . . authoritarians must blow sh*t up. It's just too much fun.

Expand full comment
CHRISTINE MALLOY's avatar

Thanks for keeping us up to date, despite being in pain!

Expand full comment
Danita Hamilton's avatar

Pure Evil SOBS. They only care about one evil devil monster traitor trump they would do anything for this monster and for money and power in their pockets. To hell with the poor and the middle class. They are cruel heartless monsters and traitors. Giving Ice all that money for arresting innocent American citizens. Giving Masked Ice Corrupted Criminals Money to Abuse Rape And Kill Innocent Americans If you’re black and brown. They all are racist scums who are traitors and heartless pigs.

Expand full comment
Courtney B's avatar

Thank you for your explanation of the process, Aaron

Expand full comment
SG's avatar

Sometimes muskrat makes sense but its definitely self serving only bc part of it hurts him.

Expand full comment
Marlo's avatar

If it passes, the Democrats will demolish it when we get back in power. Those Republicans’ future will be demolished as well. They are foolish in thinking old, senile, criminal Trump is holding the cards. The VOTERS hold the cards (unless he calls the Secretary of States like he did in Georgia, “All I want to do is this: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have... Fellas, I need 11,000 votes, give me a break." WHY isn’t he in JAIL for that? Because his corrupt judges allowed him to delay, delay, delay!

Expand full comment
Sydney's avatar

The problem is, there might not be anymore elections. With those 6 right-wing Supreme Court Justices in the pocket of Trump, and completely jettisoning their oath to the Constitution and giving him more power to destroy our Democracy, as well as the Republicans doing the same in Congress, we can't look toward 2026 or 2028, this march toward authoritarianism needs to be stopped now.

Expand full comment
Marlo's avatar

I think there will be. Whether or not they will be fair with purging, Russian interference, bomb threats, tabulator compromised, etc., is another matter.

Expand full comment
Maria K.'s avatar

Shouldn't Elon have thought about this BEFORE he decimated huge portions of our government?

Expand full comment
Tanya Lee Wales's avatar

Elon Musk thinks his every thought is golden. Add in ketamine abuse and he actually believed that he could direct Trump's policy. The whole point of Doge was to make it so the brakes were off the government for waste, fraud and abuse and the investigations against Musk's government contracts would be eliminated.

Expand full comment
Joseph Blackring's avatar

So a lot of people are calling for you to sleep, maybe take a break, worried about burnout. I noticed you are frequently writing to placate people's concerns.

I believe you. I am taking you at your word, that you are "OK," and will continue. However, I feel the need to ask you to consider something, if you haven't already. You probably have, frankly.

Work toward being able to take a break. Not tomorrow, but... in the vague but foreseeable future. For like a week. Please, if you haven't already, make that a goal. You're doing great. You seem tired, and the positivity you carry with you can go a long way, keep it up... but work toward that break. It's almost a certainty you will reach a point, maybe not tomorrow, or next week, but sometime, that you first need it, then look and realize you should have taken it awhile back.

Good luck!

Expand full comment