This vote should be used against every House and Senate Republican up for reelection in 2026.
My prediction is many of those who say they are "concerned" about various aspects of the bill will eventually cave, as per usual. You wonder what the "Medicaid Moderates" will do at the end of the day. I am not too optimistic, although it's worth a shot to overload the phone lines of those still "on the fence."
This kind of fatalism is a form of obeying in advance. If we do not fight then we cannot win. It is why we work hard here, every day. For we don't know when they will fall, but we know that if we do not fight they never will. And on a bill like this there is no "per usual." This bill is unique, deeply problematic, and the Senate is not the House.
I certainly think it is worth fighting, even as I am being realistic of past occasions when Republicans had a chance to stand up to Trump. But I agree on the purpose of fighting and doing so as challenging as the odds are.
What would be good at the very least is to see the Byrd Rule gut some of the provisions the House GOP tried sneaking in that have nothing to do with the budget. Anyone remember how the 2017 ACA repeal fight played out in process?
Self report: called both Indiana senators about Reckless Reconciliation Bill, citing the provision to let the pumpkin 🎃 defy the courts and told them to fight the thugs if ICE who are invading legislators offices (Nadler), arresting assistants and barging into a SanDiego restaurant looking for immigrants.
Ten Sneaky Sleeper Provisions in Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill"
This article by Robert Kuttner of the American Prospect highlights some of outrageous stuff in fine print in this already-outrageous budget bill. (Mary, your term "Reckless Reconciliation Bill" is far better and more accurate.)
There have been so many posts about the various things that would probably violate the Byrd rule because they’re not strictly about the budget. I hope maybe Simon will address this at the Wed. Meeting. Is there a point to calling senators on these items or should we wait to see which ones end up being removed?
I called both of my Senators on this today. I asked them to propose amendments to remove these provisions because they are not allowed under the Byrd rule. I actually got through to a staffer at Sen. Ernst's local office, and I was amazed that, when I concluded my message, he asked me exactly what I'd said for one point because he hadn't gotten it down! I left voicemail and a back-up email for Grassley.
Thank you as always Simon your focus is spot on. I have enjoyed the TACO memes so much, made me wonder if giving him a taste of his own medicine with added humour might be a more effective thorn in his side than all the legal judgements combined? Keep going everyone x the world is watching and cheering you on. Ax 🇬🇧
Maybe Simon has more, but all of us can start with:
On Bluesky: @factpostnews - that's DNC Grassroots, also follow accounts from the House Dems, House Budget Dems, Senate Dems, Senate Budget, and specific Reps and Senators who are loud about the budget
On Substack: @SenateBankingDems (thank you Elizabeth Warren), DNC Grassroots Team's "The Blue Print," Senate Democrats
I’ve asked myself why Hawley has come out against Medicaid cuts. In Missouri the voters passed an amendment for Medicaid expansion. I think if they passed the cuts it would create havoc in the state because this is inscribed in our constitution now. I guess I’m saying there are reasons why Republicans may resist this bill for self interest. So it makes sense to apply pressure on some.
a marathon of presentations by climate scientist and meteorologists about the cuts to NOAA and NWS and NSF. Utterly amazing work presented by grad students, post docs, early career, mid-career and “elders” scientists about everything from glacier studies, ARGO floats monitoring the oceans, hurricane forecasts, etc. and what is at stake with the proposed cuts. The event is tied to a 5Calls page to contact Congress and stop the cuts. More than 8,000 calls so far logged. Really creative event!
Anyone else see parts of it?
Check out this hair-raising account of Jeff Masters flying into Category 5 Hurricane Hugo
I am responding as the Political Director of Crimson Goes Blue, an organization formed to harness the talents, passion, and resources of the Harvard community to elect Democrats, protect the freedom to vote, and ensure the integrity of our elections. crimsongoesblue.org. Harvard alums are indeed being vocal and active in their opposition to Trump's attempt to destroy academic freedom on campus. In a major feat of organizing to support and pressure Harvard to take on this fight, a group under the umbrella "Crimson Courage" was formed in the wake of attacks on the university. I say all this to encourage and invite anyone who wants to organize at their university to reach out to me here with any questions about how this organizing was done.
This is great news. I've been wondering if Trump's attacks on Harvard might have "poked a bear" in terms of what has to be a powerful and well-connected group of alumni.
More messages left with Bernie Moreno and John Hustead in Ohio US Senators. Their VM was full last week. Plan to attend and March June 14th in the No Kings protest in Columbus, OH
Self report: I am lucky to live in blue state, but have contacted both senators about the time bombs buried in the bill. I’ve encouraged my peeps to do the same especially in red and purple states. Wrote letter to John Roberts telling him to be vocal on support of judiciary and sent similar letters to editor to Chicago Tribune and Suntimes. Today I’m drafting letters to my governor and AG concerning regulation of AI and tech billionaires and threat to democracy. Once I get it finalized I will ask my peeps to do the same. And will make posts on social media.
Self report from WI… I made a call to R Congressman expressing my discontent that he wasn’t at the town hall in Eau Claire to answer questions about the reconciliation bill and other questions surrounding the illegality displayed by the Trump administration. I also brought up Elons illegal acts -stealing personal information and gutting federal agencies and the need for investigations and accountability.
Call R senator regarding the tariffs/ reconciliation bill etc.
I’ll make calls this afternoon regarding attack on academia/scientific research and ICE.
plan to attend a “Moral Monday” protest in Hudson, WI this afternoon. Staying in the fight and thankful every day for the inspiration this community provides.
Made a modest recurring monthly donation to support Ukraine via the International Organization for Migration which is on the Obama Foundation website along with other recommended orgs. Our abandonment of Ukraine and the poorest people in the world is horrible.
I so agree! I just moved from Iowa to Illinois and had a very difficult time understanding Iowans support of Republican state and national candidates who were just really bad political people - even to their own constituents. Joni has to go after those two performances.
😂 You're not wrong! Once the Education Department is gone, there will be an opening for a new cabinet. She can do a pitch in front of the Four Seasons landscaping company and across from the crematorium.
Caught Annie on one of the political shows this past week, she was fantastic! Really like this ad campaign too and wish more Dems put out similar ones.
My congressman, Dave Min, has been very proactive on this bill. He sent emails out in advance, asking whether we support it, and then he dived into how problematic it is, and why he can't (and did not) support it. And he had no "please donate..." at the end! I appreciate that. I know my senators will oppose it vocally, especially Senator Schiff.
NBC news, of all places, had a nice snapshot of it. It had all these major areas where spending increased, and the one huge area that was reduced by $792B-- Medicaid. I wasn't watching intentionally, just happened to catch it while flipping through. Nicely done on their part.
If you want to also send my letter about the bill to Schiff and Padilla, or use it to craft your own: Text SIGN POCVYO to 50409
“Of course I want you to vote NO on that MAGA Murder Budget Bill. Is there anything good at all in that bill? I’ve been reading about it and it doesn’t seem so.
“The cuts to Medicaid and SNAP would be a national catastrophe, leading to declining health and early deaths throughout our country.
“And the pay-as-you go cuts that will affect Medicare are unacceptable. I spent my working lifetime paying into Medicare. This Republican “everyone is going to die” mentality needs to be stopped.
“I hope the Byrd Rule will prevail, and all these hidden poison pills will also be removed.
- Crippling the courts by making it impossible to hold the criminals in the executive branch in contempt
- Bonus for the tax prep industry by eliminating the free IRS tool to file taxes
- More savaging of migrants by adding $45B for immigration jails and indefinite detention of children!
- Terminating tax status of non-profits
- Blocking state regulation of AI
- Gutting the estate tax
- Weakening the child tax credit
- Expanding school vouchers
- Stealth cuts to the ACA
- Support for gun silencers
“Please be loud in your opposition to this bill.
“Please also be proactive in communicating to constituents in the rural and red parts of our state. Make sure they know how malevolent the GOP’s intentions are, and how badly their lives will be affected.
Here's a three minute video by Rep. Melanie Stansbury about how "the zombie of DOGE lurches on in the House" as "the big, terrible, disgusting bill" heads to the Senate.
This vote should be used against every House and Senate Republican up for reelection in 2026.
My prediction is many of those who say they are "concerned" about various aspects of the bill will eventually cave, as per usual. You wonder what the "Medicaid Moderates" will do at the end of the day. I am not too optimistic, although it's worth a shot to overload the phone lines of those still "on the fence."
This kind of fatalism is a form of obeying in advance. If we do not fight then we cannot win. It is why we work hard here, every day. For we don't know when they will fall, but we know that if we do not fight they never will. And on a bill like this there is no "per usual." This bill is unique, deeply problematic, and the Senate is not the House.
I certainly think it is worth fighting, even as I am being realistic of past occasions when Republicans had a chance to stand up to Trump. But I agree on the purpose of fighting and doing so as challenging as the odds are.
What would be good at the very least is to see the Byrd Rule gut some of the provisions the House GOP tried sneaking in that have nothing to do with the budget. Anyone remember how the 2017 ACA repeal fight played out in process?
KING OF DRONES
Trump and other pro-Putin apologists to Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:
– "You have no cards!
– "Ukraine has only six months left."
– "Just surrender for peace, Russia can't lose."
– "Surrender or it will get worse."
Well, this weekend Zelenskyy played his "King of Drones" and took out 40 Russian warplanes!
If you want to know more details and reliable information on the Russo-Ukrainian war, here are five good sources with a link to their Tweet feeds:
https://nitter.poast.org/IAPonomarenko
https://nitter.poast.org/Tatarigami_UA
https://nitter.poast.org/bayraktar_1love
https://nitter.poast.org/KofmanMichael
https://nitter.poast.org/ChristopherJM
(Nitter accesses their Tweet feeds without forcing you to visit Musk’s Xitter.)
Woo hoo! Bravo Zelenskyy and Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦🌻
Check out Lev Parnas’ excellent update from this morning:
Putin’s Worst Fear Just Came True — And Ukraine Isn’t Holding Back Anymore
Inside Operation Spiderweb, Ukraine’s infiltration of Russia, and the lies you’re being fed about “peace talks.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/levremembers/p/putins-worst-fear-just-came-true?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Zelensky is a great and strategic leader! Wish he were our President. Instead we have Traitor Trump. ☹️
Self report: called both Indiana senators about Reckless Reconciliation Bill, citing the provision to let the pumpkin 🎃 defy the courts and told them to fight the thugs if ICE who are invading legislators offices (Nadler), arresting assistants and barging into a SanDiego restaurant looking for immigrants.
Ten Sneaky Sleeper Provisions in Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill"
This article by Robert Kuttner of the American Prospect highlights some of outrageous stuff in fine print in this already-outrageous budget bill. (Mary, your term "Reckless Reconciliation Bill" is far better and more accurate.)
https://prospect.org/blogs-and-newsletters/tap/2025-05-23-ten-sneaky-sleeper-provisions-trumps-big-beautiful-bill/
There have been so many posts about the various things that would probably violate the Byrd rule because they’re not strictly about the budget. I hope maybe Simon will address this at the Wed. Meeting. Is there a point to calling senators on these items or should we wait to see which ones end up being removed?
Call on everything. They may not be aware of all the fine print!
I called both of my Senators on this today. I asked them to propose amendments to remove these provisions because they are not allowed under the Byrd rule. I actually got through to a staffer at Sen. Ernst's local office, and I was amazed that, when I concluded my message, he asked me exactly what I'd said for one point because he hadn't gotten it down! I left voicemail and a back-up email for Grassley.
Cites like this is why I read the comments first before making my calls. Thanks!
Thank you as always Simon your focus is spot on. I have enjoyed the TACO memes so much, made me wonder if giving him a taste of his own medicine with added humour might be a more effective thorn in his side than all the legal judgements combined? Keep going everyone x the world is watching and cheering you on. Ax 🇬🇧
Hi Simon,
Thank you for a thorough and inspirational post! 😊
Please share what the DNC is doing regarding messaging and pushing back ferociously to this bill.
We can't count on Susan Collins or other Republicans to have a spine. We can count on my republicans not giving a dam who they hurt.
We can't count on the midterms either. We need a vision and commitment to the American people.
It's overdue.
What are we doing to push back about the potential disenfranchisement of women voters? Protecting our parks? Thank you
Maybe Simon has more, but all of us can start with:
On Bluesky: @factpostnews - that's DNC Grassroots, also follow accounts from the House Dems, House Budget Dems, Senate Dems, Senate Budget, and specific Reps and Senators who are loud about the budget
On Substack: @SenateBankingDems (thank you Elizabeth Warren), DNC Grassroots Team's "The Blue Print," Senate Democrats
Thank you! That's helpful. Since this is a powerful group, sharing some Topline information would be appreciated. Especially on messaging.
You might want to look also at Demcast's Digital Drumbeat.
I’ve asked myself why Hawley has come out against Medicaid cuts. In Missouri the voters passed an amendment for Medicaid expansion. I think if they passed the cuts it would create havoc in the state because this is inscribed in our constitution now. I guess I’m saying there are reasons why Republicans may resist this bill for self interest. So it makes sense to apply pressure on some.
Self report - I missed my usual Sunday protest in Menlo Park because I was glued to “100 Hours to Save America’s Forecasts,”
https://wcstreamathon.netlify.app/
a marathon of presentations by climate scientist and meteorologists about the cuts to NOAA and NWS and NSF. Utterly amazing work presented by grad students, post docs, early career, mid-career and “elders” scientists about everything from glacier studies, ARGO floats monitoring the oceans, hurricane forecasts, etc. and what is at stake with the proposed cuts. The event is tied to a 5Calls page to contact Congress and stop the cuts. More than 8,000 calls so far logged. Really creative event!
Anyone else see parts of it?
Check out this hair-raising account of Jeff Masters flying into Category 5 Hurricane Hugo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N3ywDoJW8Q
I am responding as the Political Director of Crimson Goes Blue, an organization formed to harness the talents, passion, and resources of the Harvard community to elect Democrats, protect the freedom to vote, and ensure the integrity of our elections. crimsongoesblue.org. Harvard alums are indeed being vocal and active in their opposition to Trump's attempt to destroy academic freedom on campus. In a major feat of organizing to support and pressure Harvard to take on this fight, a group under the umbrella "Crimson Courage" was formed in the wake of attacks on the university. I say all this to encourage and invite anyone who wants to organize at their university to reach out to me here with any questions about how this organizing was done.
Fantastic, sharing this info!
Harvard has really stepped up into this moment. So proud of you all.
this is fantastic
This is great news. I've been wondering if Trump's attacks on Harvard might have "poked a bear" in terms of what has to be a powerful and well-connected group of alumni.
It has indeed!
More messages left with Bernie Moreno and John Hustead in Ohio US Senators. Their VM was full last week. Plan to attend and March June 14th in the No Kings protest in Columbus, OH
Self report: I am lucky to live in blue state, but have contacted both senators about the time bombs buried in the bill. I’ve encouraged my peeps to do the same especially in red and purple states. Wrote letter to John Roberts telling him to be vocal on support of judiciary and sent similar letters to editor to Chicago Tribune and Suntimes. Today I’m drafting letters to my governor and AG concerning regulation of AI and tech billionaires and threat to democracy. Once I get it finalized I will ask my peeps to do the same. And will make posts on social media.
Maureen, would you mind sharing the text of the letters re: AI regulation? I’d like to leverage what you are doing.
Self report from WI… I made a call to R Congressman expressing my discontent that he wasn’t at the town hall in Eau Claire to answer questions about the reconciliation bill and other questions surrounding the illegality displayed by the Trump administration. I also brought up Elons illegal acts -stealing personal information and gutting federal agencies and the need for investigations and accountability.
Call R senator regarding the tariffs/ reconciliation bill etc.
I’ll make calls this afternoon regarding attack on academia/scientific research and ICE.
plan to attend a “Moral Monday” protest in Hudson, WI this afternoon. Staying in the fight and thankful every day for the inspiration this community provides.
Made a modest recurring monthly donation to support Ukraine via the International Organization for Migration which is on the Obama Foundation website along with other recommended orgs. Our abandonment of Ukraine and the poorest people in the world is horrible.
Grocery prices on my list (since 1/19) up over $7 for two weeks running. Big increases this week on coffee, tomatoes.
Did you all see Joni Ernst's response to the outcry provoked by her comments at the town hall?!!!! It's unbelievable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G86n875stE
I think her political career has to be over after this!
I would believe so!! Iowans CANNOT continue to vote for her!!
I so agree! I just moved from Iowa to Illinois and had a very difficult time understanding Iowans support of Republican state and national candidates who were just really bad political people - even to their own constituents. Joni has to go after those two performances.
Either that or a cabinet position.
😂 You're not wrong! Once the Education Department is gone, there will be an opening for a new cabinet. She can do a pitch in front of the Four Seasons landscaping company and across from the crematorium.
Department of Ghoulish Embarrassments
If you haven’t seen it, there’s a wonderful campaign ad by the Democrat running against Lindsey Graham. https://youtu.be/J8wMNLaSNW4?si=r-cw5yIKz9f4qScP
WOW! Go Annie Andrews, M.D. !!!
Wow is right! Hope she doubles down and wins in a landslide! 👍
Caught Annie on one of the political shows this past week, she was fantastic! Really like this ad campaign too and wish more Dems put out similar ones.
Exactly!
That’s terrific! Thank you so much. I’m sharing that far and wide.
I'd already given her $.
My congressman, Dave Min, has been very proactive on this bill. He sent emails out in advance, asking whether we support it, and then he dived into how problematic it is, and why he can't (and did not) support it. And he had no "please donate..." at the end! I appreciate that. I know my senators will oppose it vocally, especially Senator Schiff.
NBC news, of all places, had a nice snapshot of it. It had all these major areas where spending increased, and the one huge area that was reduced by $792B-- Medicaid. I wasn't watching intentionally, just happened to catch it while flipping through. Nicely done on their part.
If you want to also send my letter about the bill to Schiff and Padilla, or use it to craft your own: Text SIGN POCVYO to 50409
“Of course I want you to vote NO on that MAGA Murder Budget Bill. Is there anything good at all in that bill? I’ve been reading about it and it doesn’t seem so.
“The cuts to Medicaid and SNAP would be a national catastrophe, leading to declining health and early deaths throughout our country.
“And the pay-as-you go cuts that will affect Medicare are unacceptable. I spent my working lifetime paying into Medicare. This Republican “everyone is going to die” mentality needs to be stopped.
“I hope the Byrd Rule will prevail, and all these hidden poison pills will also be removed.
- Crippling the courts by making it impossible to hold the criminals in the executive branch in contempt
- Bonus for the tax prep industry by eliminating the free IRS tool to file taxes
- More savaging of migrants by adding $45B for immigration jails and indefinite detention of children!
- Terminating tax status of non-profits
- Blocking state regulation of AI
- Gutting the estate tax
- Weakening the child tax credit
- Expanding school vouchers
- Stealth cuts to the ACA
- Support for gun silencers
“Please be loud in your opposition to this bill.
“Please also be proactive in communicating to constituents in the rural and red parts of our state. Make sure they know how malevolent the GOP’s intentions are, and how badly their lives will be affected.
“Thank you.”
Here's a three minute video by Rep. Melanie Stansbury about how "the zombie of DOGE lurches on in the House" as "the big, terrible, disgusting bill" heads to the Senate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFoes_3Ch-8&ab_channel=Rep.MelanieStansbury