Thanks, Simon! Lovely day here in the DMV so I hope you can get outside and enjoy it.
Yesterday was truly a no-good, terrible, horrible, very bad day for Trump. So it was a good day for America!
I admit to being a bit surprised that he just gave up on the Kennedy Center. He could have tied things up in appeals for a while, which is his usual tactic. Whatever the reason, we all owe a big "thank you" to Congresswoman Joyce Beatty who brought the suit. Trump should have to pay the costs of removing his name.
Do you know, with Kean being MIA and Massey unlikely to vote with Trump, how close is the Congress to being tied?
There are currently 217 Repubs + 1 independent (Representative Kevin Kiley of California) that caucuses with them = 218 and there are 212 Democrats for a total of 430. A simple majority is required to pass standard bills and resolutions, so if everyone voted that would be 216 votes to pass. However, the outcome of each vote really depends on who shows up for each vote and how they are cast (whether they are along party lines). Passing legislation in the US House requires a simple majority of members present AND voting, provided a quorum is met. An abstention counts toward a quorum, but it does not count toward a majority.
There are currently five vacancies* and two are Republicans, three are Democrats. Otherwise, we'd have a total of 435 and 218 votes would be required for legislation to pass if all were present and voting.
That's not a "downward slope" in Trump's Real Clear Politics poll average--that's a CLIFF! That's a
"drive into a one-way dead end and fall off the edge" number. Planning my calls this week to my MAGA Rep and Senators with emphasis on asking if they really want to defend a $1.8 BILLION taxpayer-funded sewer?
These are all great wins but his win in a federal court to give the USPS authority to issue absentee ballots only to those on a federally approved list is a violation of states rights and the constitution and beyond disheartening that a federal judge would ok this. We have not just the Supreme Court but other members of the judiciary rewriting the Constitution😡😡😡
Margaret, we don't do "buts" here. We don't do we have 27 wins over here and then make one win of theirs equal to all our wins. Buts are a way of diminishing our achievements. Buts take people down rather than lift them up. We know they are still fighting across many fronts - we all know that, none of this is new or helpful information - it's just crapping all over us with no go forward. It's just not what we do here.
The court DID NOT allow USPS to do that. It said the case was not timely because USPS had not yet acted on the executive order. The issue is still open and will most likely be blocked. Need to be careful not to fall into Trump’s bullshit traps.
I heard in a speech today from the Sec of State in MA that states are filing suits against it. We have to train ourselves to pause after headlines like the USPS one to assume someone (or many) will push back on it, then watch for the pushback, and know that the pro-democracy movement is fierce.
Amen! The media loves us scared and outraged. I doubt the attempt will pass scrutiny and I doubt further that the USPS has the capacity to cross check.
Just another reminder that the GOP fears the people.
More mayhem at Delaney Hall yesterday. I am not entirely certain why the governor brought the state police in because it seems to have exacerbated the situation. She is an attorney so I know she knows the law, but I question whether with the track record of New Jersey State Police (not good) this is the best move. There is more to the story that I am not really aware of. Will have to do some reading up but a very chaotic scene. I’m glad it has made the national news consistently because it keeps the ICE detention centers on the front burner where they belong, but it does continue to be a fluid situation.
In other news, headed to Philly for Bruce‘s rescheduled date, which turns out to be the final show of this tour. Should be an exceptional night as they always are in Philly. And there’s a full moon so I’m expecting a lively performance and a raucous crowd.
Love the Post-Iran Disaster Agenda— exactly what’s needed! But not just to win and then moving to enact liberal cultural ideologies. Leave those issues to parents and churches and community leaders. Take on and do only the stuff the federal government can do. I’d add reinvestment and reinvigoration of the public school system in America to the agenda. There is no truly making America great again without better education.
Well, yay - things seem to be looking up. Great! Hope our [mostly] inert Congress members come to the party and get some things done. No dithering! --- But what is the deal with Rep Kean? Nobody knows where he is? Really? His entire family is MIA? May we assume Patel is on the case? Maybe ICE has him stashed somewhere. This is ridiculous. Who's hiding what? ---Meanwhile, let's get that Kennedy Center name correction scheduled immediately.
It is so weird. I find it hard to believe that Johnson doesn't know anything. Well, actually, I guess that is possible. God I can't stand him and his whiny voice. He always sounds like he is lying and/or kissing Trump's big orange rump.
I already had $10/month recurring to the "second wave" campaign. I added $10 one time contribution just now.
The post office ran out of postcard stamps (why does this ever happen?), so I was only able to get 12. That was enough to mail some of the postcards I hadn't yet mailed, but now I am out again. I'll write some more postcards tonight and get stamps next Saturday. Possibly.
I have a 4-6pm phone banks for Florida Democrats. I'm not sure what the focus is, but the invitation came from someone in the Jolly campaign, so it is probably focussed on his primary campaign. The supposed "canvass" event that was scheduled for today from what I can tell never happened, despite the fact that 3 volunteers did a zoom with two people in the campaign, who said there would be interns (college students) working on it. Disappointing. I think the campaign is overall good but their engagement of volunteers is chaotic and spotty. It should start now with voter registration especially. In the townhall event on Thursday, Jolly talked about the voter registration deficit we have, but there doesn't seem to be a concerted effort to at least mitigate it. Every bit helps.
Trump announced the lineup for his Freedom 250 concert series, intended to help him own the 4th. Within 48 hours, 7 of the 9 acts included in the announcement said they won't be performing. Can Scott Baio sing?
The Post reports that Trump and Hegseth is recruiting members of the military to show up for his 4th. Ever the cheapskate when it comes to anything that doesn’t directly benefit him, the servicemen and women will be expected to pay their own way to attend (thank you for your service!) and meet "height and weight standards." I guess this means El Gordo won't be able to attend his own celebration (gift link):
There were posts on Threads last night of all the "bands" that were not going to show up for the concert; Ricky Ricardo, the Partridge Family, etc. Hilarious!
Please add to our action list to do all we can to block the regime’s attempt to control scientific research, scientific process and ultimately scientific facts. This is dangerous beyond imagination.
Register here at Stand Up for Science (and give them a follow on substack too @sciencefightclub )
No wonder I am feeling better.
Great news, Simon!
Thanks, Simon! Lovely day here in the DMV so I hope you can get outside and enjoy it.
Yesterday was truly a no-good, terrible, horrible, very bad day for Trump. So it was a good day for America!
I admit to being a bit surprised that he just gave up on the Kennedy Center. He could have tied things up in appeals for a while, which is his usual tactic. Whatever the reason, we all owe a big "thank you" to Congresswoman Joyce Beatty who brought the suit. Trump should have to pay the costs of removing his name.
Do you know, with Kean being MIA and Massey unlikely to vote with Trump, how close is the Congress to being tied?
I'm writing postcards to Ohio voters today.
I was also surprised he gave up on the Kennedy Center. They have to take his name down. 😂. That has to hurt. Well deserved hurt of course.
he hasn't given up. he's throwing a tantrum.
An 80 year old narcissist.
Here is some related information.
There are currently 217 Repubs + 1 independent (Representative Kevin Kiley of California) that caucuses with them = 218 and there are 212 Democrats for a total of 430. A simple majority is required to pass standard bills and resolutions, so if everyone voted that would be 216 votes to pass. However, the outcome of each vote really depends on who shows up for each vote and how they are cast (whether they are along party lines). Passing legislation in the US House requires a simple majority of members present AND voting, provided a quorum is met. An abstention counts toward a quorum, but it does not count toward a majority.
These members are currently mostly absent: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/missing
Rep. Thomas Kean [R-NJ7]
Rep. Frederica Wilson [D-FL24]
Rep. Julia Letlow [R-LA5]
There are currently five vacancies* and two are Republicans, three are Democrats. Otherwise, we'd have a total of 435 and 218 votes would be required for legislation to pass if all were present and voting.
*Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) died 01/06/2026.
*Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) resigned 04/14/2026.
*Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) resigned 04/14/2026.
*Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) resigned 04/21/26.
*Rep. David Scott (D-GA) died 04/22/2026.
Here are the official numbers posted online. https://tinyurl.com/countHouse and https://clerk.house.gov/Members/ViewVacancies
That's not a "downward slope" in Trump's Real Clear Politics poll average--that's a CLIFF! That's a
"drive into a one-way dead end and fall off the edge" number. Planning my calls this week to my MAGA Rep and Senators with emphasis on asking if they really want to defend a $1.8 BILLION taxpayer-funded sewer?
Perhaps its time to start calling him Limbo Donny. How LOW can he GO?!!
https://youtube.com/shorts/YYiL9WEkXZE?si=ptfu-N_4VrAAwETi
Perhaps Wylie Coyote is one of his consultants.
These are all great wins but his win in a federal court to give the USPS authority to issue absentee ballots only to those on a federally approved list is a violation of states rights and the constitution and beyond disheartening that a federal judge would ok this. We have not just the Supreme Court but other members of the judiciary rewriting the Constitution😡😡😡
Margaret, we don't do "buts" here. We don't do we have 27 wins over here and then make one win of theirs equal to all our wins. Buts are a way of diminishing our achievements. Buts take people down rather than lift them up. We know they are still fighting across many fronts - we all know that, none of this is new or helpful information - it's just crapping all over us with no go forward. It's just not what we do here.
Here we do "ands." We had all these wins this week and we still have more to do. Leave the buts and howevers behind please.
The court DID NOT allow USPS to do that. It said the case was not timely because USPS had not yet acted on the executive order. The issue is still open and will most likely be blocked. Need to be careful not to fall into Trump’s bullshit traps.
Thank you! That’s a hugely important clarification.
Nice handle bro
I heard in a speech today from the Sec of State in MA that states are filing suits against it. We have to train ourselves to pause after headlines like the USPS one to assume someone (or many) will push back on it, then watch for the pushback, and know that the pro-democracy movement is fierce.
Amen! The media loves us scared and outraged. I doubt the attempt will pass scrutiny and I doubt further that the USPS has the capacity to cross check.
Just another reminder that the GOP fears the people.
or the authority - board of governors role worth a look.
More mayhem at Delaney Hall yesterday. I am not entirely certain why the governor brought the state police in because it seems to have exacerbated the situation. She is an attorney so I know she knows the law, but I question whether with the track record of New Jersey State Police (not good) this is the best move. There is more to the story that I am not really aware of. Will have to do some reading up but a very chaotic scene. I’m glad it has made the national news consistently because it keeps the ICE detention centers on the front burner where they belong, but it does continue to be a fluid situation.
In other news, headed to Philly for Bruce‘s rescheduled date, which turns out to be the final show of this tour. Should be an exceptional night as they always are in Philly. And there’s a full moon so I’m expecting a lively performance and a raucous crowd.
Keep going!
Have fun tonight. Should be a fantastic show. You deserve it!
The only good use of Delaney would be forTRump to be incarcerated there!
NJ has a great candidate in Rebecca Bennett! I donated. Have a great time at the concert!!
Interested in whatever you can share, and how this final show differed substantially - if at all - from those previous. Doubt it, but just curious.
Have a great time!!!
Love the Post-Iran Disaster Agenda— exactly what’s needed! But not just to win and then moving to enact liberal cultural ideologies. Leave those issues to parents and churches and community leaders. Take on and do only the stuff the federal government can do. I’d add reinvestment and reinvigoration of the public school system in America to the agenda. There is no truly making America great again without better education.
That's very good news, thank you.
Well, yay - things seem to be looking up. Great! Hope our [mostly] inert Congress members come to the party and get some things done. No dithering! --- But what is the deal with Rep Kean? Nobody knows where he is? Really? His entire family is MIA? May we assume Patel is on the case? Maybe ICE has him stashed somewhere. This is ridiculous. Who's hiding what? ---Meanwhile, let's get that Kennedy Center name correction scheduled immediately.
It is so weird. I find it hard to believe that Johnson doesn't know anything. Well, actually, I guess that is possible. God I can't stand him and his whiny voice. He always sounds like he is lying and/or kissing Trump's big orange rump.
Borrowing a post I saw: TRump's checkup included a colonoscopy that found half of Congress!
😂
No surprise the human sewage that occupies the White House generated seventeen different headlines in twenty-four hours.
I already had $10/month recurring to the "second wave" campaign. I added $10 one time contribution just now.
The post office ran out of postcard stamps (why does this ever happen?), so I was only able to get 12. That was enough to mail some of the postcards I hadn't yet mailed, but now I am out again. I'll write some more postcards tonight and get stamps next Saturday. Possibly.
I have a 4-6pm phone banks for Florida Democrats. I'm not sure what the focus is, but the invitation came from someone in the Jolly campaign, so it is probably focussed on his primary campaign. The supposed "canvass" event that was scheduled for today from what I can tell never happened, despite the fact that 3 volunteers did a zoom with two people in the campaign, who said there would be interns (college students) working on it. Disappointing. I think the campaign is overall good but their engagement of volunteers is chaotic and spotty. It should start now with voter registration especially. In the townhall event on Thursday, Jolly talked about the voter registration deficit we have, but there doesn't seem to be a concerted effort to at least mitigate it. Every bit helps.
we order ours online -- fairly good turn around, I bought a couple rolls to share for just this kind of thing.
maybe I should do as well, thanks
Ah! Such a great Saturday morning post. I love the mandate to be feisty and strong and upset in my calls!
So many wins all at once! Writing postcards to Texas for James Talarico.
Leaving the Republicans with nothing to talk about!
written statements & phone interviews are not proof of life.
A couple of other stories circulating out there.
Trump announced the lineup for his Freedom 250 concert series, intended to help him own the 4th. Within 48 hours, 7 of the 9 acts included in the announcement said they won't be performing. Can Scott Baio sing?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/28/trump-concert-series-musicians-drop-out?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
The Post reports that Trump and Hegseth is recruiting members of the military to show up for his 4th. Ever the cheapskate when it comes to anything that doesn’t directly benefit him, the servicemen and women will be expected to pay their own way to attend (thank you for your service!) and meet "height and weight standards." I guess this means El Gordo won't be able to attend his own celebration (gift link):
https://wapo.st/49wqqDf
There were posts on Threads last night of all the "bands" that were not going to show up for the concert; Ricky Ricardo, the Partridge Family, etc. Hilarious!
Pachelbel"s Bazooka will not!!!!!!!
📢📢Urgent Action June 2:
Please add to our action list to do all we can to block the regime’s attempt to control scientific research, scientific process and ultimately scientific facts. This is dangerous beyond imagination.
Register here at Stand Up for Science (and give them a follow on substack too @sciencefightclub )
https://fight2win.standupforscience.net/