the only terms the dems should deem acceptable are "you have a house and senate majority, you can pass this all on your own" and leave Mike Johnson swinging in the wind
This part. They would reneg on any promise they make as SURELY and NOTORIOUSLY as Trump cheated all of his contractors out of paying them for their labor.
Made the call this morning to my Democratic Rep. They need to hold the line and say "No more" The gutting of all the programs that help the everyday average American must stop. The illegal firing of government workers must stop. No to DT, no to EM.
Same, I don’t understand what we are supposed to be asking for. No deal
until the crime stops? And then how do you make them stick to it? Or is it agree to no deal at all?
There’s not a great answer for this, but I am going to call tomorrow & say “no negotiations til Musk is permanently fired and DOGE is dismantled.” Rs can talk to Trump abt this behind the scenes - DOGE is causing some of them harm in their own districts so they may surprisingly willing to do it.
Yeah - there isn’t really a good formulation, but it’s at least something that *mt* be effective. And that a lot of Rs secretly want. Welp, gotta be up early tomorrow calling my Rep, so buenas noches.
The problem i have with extensions is that incentivizes Elon and his goons to speedrun their reign of terror. But maybe the pain of repeating this process every 3 weeks might be enough to make a breakthrough. I don’t know what the answer is.
Been thinking it’s one of:
- DOGE flames out (if managers realize Elon has no formal power)
- Courts move fast enough that by the time the first CR hits it’s a foregone conclusion to enforce
- If neither, then public pressure on Dems to do something enables a safer “no” on the next CR
I’m in Ruby Redville so I have no one to influence, but we’ve been screaming at leadership in both houses & their response has been to shrug their shoulders like a bunch of cucks.
Also, everyone stop referring to them as the Freedom Caucus. They’re a band of mendacious, self-dealing thugs, period.
I appreciate you doing that and making it uncomfortable for them even if they won't listen. I'm in a deep blue district so my reps are sympathetic but can't do much.
One thing I'm unclear on - we should call our congressperson tomorrow, because the action is in the House, right? But the article you cite mentions Patty Murray talking about negotiations - so do we need to call our senators now, too?
For those unclear on JM's recommendation for what to tell them, it's:
'I think the only reasonable position is “no help with your problem unless and until the criminal conduct stops.” And any deal needs to be enforceable.'
Could not agree more. Having been a Hill staffer, though, I am afraid Dems’ innate need to be “reasonable” will throw away this opportunity. People are angry; Dems need to harness that, not shrink from it.
I honestly don’t understand what you’re suggesting we ask for. “Don’t make a deal unless they pinky swear to stop breaking the law?” Or should I just scream at them “stop helping fascists?”
I like it. It took Republicans a while to align and elect a Speaker of the House. Aligning enough to pass a budget solo will buy some time for grassroots and targeted PR to escalate public opinion against Musk/DOGE which is critical. We have a nice start to build upon
Just wrote my D rep. Told him to make Trump a failed presidency. You are the opposition-act like it! NO on all CRs from MAGA. Make them come to Ds with ironclad, short term and enforceable terms to stop DOGE and the illegal beserking. Make them own a shutdown and failure.
One opening negotiation position could be a one-month resolution, with funding after that dependent on the Senate having voted no on Trump's next outrageous nominee. Not promising to vote, having voted. We can trust that the nominee will come.
Hey @joshtpm.bsky.social People in this thread are asking for some talking points from you for calls to Congress in the morning. Can you help us out? We don't know what we're supposed to be demanding.
Difficult to believe the Rs will follow through on any deal they might agree to. It's worth a try but I fear they will simply renege once they have what they want.
Is the spectre of government shutdown is still a point of leverage?
They have already broken all the institutions, what will keep them from just accessing government funds?
It’s not like the Trump regime is respecting Congress’ legislative role so far.
Why should the power of the purse be different?
Is Musk literally President? Has SCOTUS given him full immunity? Why can't he just be fking arrested for his wilding spree of crime? Whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy?
The fact that this is happening in the dead of night, the fact that we don’t know who to call or what to make of this, seems like a very bad sign in itself. Like they’ve decided proactively to fold, because they believe that the public will blame Ds if things go south. I really hope I’m wrong.
After reading this piece I tried to return to it and just got ads. It’s not a paywall problem. I think it is a cookie bug -> TP software thinks I’m done so just shows (dumb as usual) clickbait ads.
You can tell them that you voted for them bc you’re a Conservative.
And it’s not *Conservative* to trash the govt, undermine historic checks n balances, destabilize 80 year European alliances, politicize our Dept of Justice, ruin our economy with tariff taxes, etc.
Call your GOP reps, too. Ask why they are letting Musk/Trump loot our public services, parks, health care, data privacy, when YOU are their constituent. YOU are their boss, their voter, the person they should protect & serve. Why vote on a budget at all if they just let Musk/Trump ignore Congress?
Thanks! Yeah, if I only lived in Don Bacon's district in Omaha I'd be calling every other day. I did go there to make phone calls to voters before the election. But he squeaked by as a "moderate" even though Kamala won there.
There is no deal enforceable with Trump or any of MAGA. Empty promises. And relentless lies. You don't negotiate with terrorists. Every Democrat must oppose. @murray.senate.gov @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social @schumer.senate.gov Whip the Democrats like you're channeling @nancypelosi.bsky.social
Adding my scream. The Republicans have nothing to put on the table. Impoundment is going to SCOTUS. Trump has already taken it away from them. Strap on a pair and say impeachment or nothing. They’re not going to agree to that, so no loss.
Is this the bad guy whose out of ammo but comes asking for help? In exchange for bullet money, he says he'll bring us back a Happy meal. For years the Democrats have played ball at crunch times and here we are. If a deal is in the works it better be the best ever or we'll be worse off than now.
Hakeem Jeffries indicated last night that the Dems should all be No votes today. They definitely need calls supporting them holding the line, especially those in purple states.
yeah there are a number of votes coming. and it's not clear they're doing the wrong thing. but it's clearly up in the air on just what line they're going to defend. so they need to be hearing support
That's the impression I got when I called my MoC's office (Auchincloss) this morning: staffer said he was voting no on today's legislation, but didn't give assurances that stopping the lawbreaking was non-negotiable.
How would any deal be enforceable? Even if they’d stop the lawbreaking until a something passes, what is to stop them from just picking it up again afterward?
I could imagine some kind of mechanism where the Dems would have to re-up the deal weekly or biweekly, contingent on the GOP honoring their commitments.
Republicans won’t be able to pass a budget without Democrats’ cooperation. Their so-called freedom caucus will torpedo any deal that doesn’t include batshit cuts to the budget.
I don’t know what it would look like for a Republican to be aligned. Any anti-Trumper has no political future.
I really hope that’s the case. I support working as if it’s the case. Because it looks like the one chance Dem Congressional operators have.
One challenge is R’s need to stay unaligned over time (like a 30 day budget that isn’t renewed if Trump impounds again) for this leverage to be effective
Absolutely no deal! Whatever soft assed shit the GOP are selling---they WILL NOT LIVE UP TO IT! Even if its in writing. They don't care about anything but kissing Trump's ass.
This makes me so sad because this is the last bit of leverage the Democrats have and I just know they can't wait to be rid of it to shore up their claims of helplessness.
I'll call my moron tomorrow though. I really do not think I will ever vote for any of the motherfuckers ever again.
Understand the frustration. Primary them (in safe seats) by all means. Always vote for them and especially in ‘26 when the future of democracy genuinely hangs on the balance.
When Dems win (against this fascist iteration of the GOP) the win itself shores up democracy. If we get a trifecta again I’m really hopeful this time they’ll break the filibuster and do statehood for PR and DC, which is the most effective immediate thing you can do.
The win itself does nothing of the kind. Biden's win did nothing to reinforce democracy. He let the malefactors carry on. They never do anything about the filibuster, never statehood, none of that. At this point I think it's Stockholm syndrome to imagine they'll get their finger out next time.
They didn’t have the 50 votes for the filibuster. I think the next 50 Dem senators will.
Partly it’s a matter of semantics, but looking at what happens now, it’s pretty clear what I mean when I say that a Kamala victory would have shored up democracy.
There needs to be a line and it needs to be held. Thing is, there’s no possible scenario where people don’t massively suffer. We crossed that threshold in the election. If there must be pain, let it be the pain of resisting a ridiculous farce of tyranny and not the pain of utter capitulation.
This really is one of those situations where we’ll all suffer more in the long run if we don’t take the hits now.
Better to get the hurt started fast and the outrage directed in the right direction. Republicans are doing this, Democrats would be fucking stupid to be part of it in any way.
At this point, harm reduction is truly, literally about saving the republic. Full capitulation means giving up on it, at precisely the moment people are beginning to realize what’s happening.
Again, people are going to suffer, be crushed economically in every remaining scenario. But one cedes all.
Right now we are looking at the HOUSE budget vote. The senate’s passed on Friday without making previous tax cuts permanent. This message works for Republican House members OR Democrats in the House.
Eric, what are the Republicans going to do? The only way to stop the behavior is impeachment and they won’t do it. They will continue to roll over on whatever Trump wants because they’re terrified of Elon’s money and of Trump’s heavy armed and dangerous supporters.
Called my rep @robinkelly.house.gov office to encourage her and all @housedemocrats.bsky.social to stand strong & not bail out Republicans on the budget without an end to DOGE depredations. Call was answered on 1 ring (awesome!) and my message was politely received. Thank you, Congresswoman Kelly!
For other folks in comments, whats the succinct message for Dem representatives? "Until the Musk/Trump illegal impoundments and firings cease, no deal, even if it means Republicans shut down the government. Doesn't matter if Republicans insist Trump won't accept it, they have to make him accept it"?
you should have just went with 'bitch slapping the constitution'. whoever changed it should get bitch slapped (sorry if that's you, but my bet: it was an editor)
Those useful four minutes; we were told, fill the bathtub with water and go to the chimney in your house, which is the strongest part of the structure.
Call them and ask why they are letting Musk and Trump loot our public services, parks, health care, data privacy, when YOU are their constituent. YOU are their boss, their voter, the person they should protect and serve. Why vote on a budget at all if they just let Elon and Trump ignore Congress?
if the Dems are working on a clean continuing resolution with the MAGAs to keep the govt open thats one thing. but passing a budget, thats all got to be on the MAGAs.
No capitulation, Dems! (I'm sure Schumer is drooling to cooperate, that yellow-belly). Of course Trump will blame you for anything unpopular. But we voted for Dems because they're not Republicans. Now is the worst time to be acting like them.
Why the Heck are dems even considering helping with this? Just say no, period. The GOP doesn't want to work with them, they can take the blame for the shutdown. Drag the GOP to the left on this.
Do you have a very simple script we can circulate? Everything I've seen is pretty complicated: we need a super simple script that people can post so that everyone can call in starting first thing tomorrow morning. 5 Calls has not yet updated the app to include this.
...actually, maybe not, that's from 2/21, I read it as 2/25 and "this Tuesday" before scrolling down. Same set of bills but not updated for this latest, I think.
Yeah, I just read it and is definitely not updated. Hopefully tomorrow morning. Otherwise the key words are to block Orange from impounding Congressionally allocated funds.
And I think it's more nuanced than this: they need to hold out for a rider that stops the orange overlord from impounding funds that have already been allocated.
No problem :) For anyone using 5 Calls, they do have this script up on the budget resolution https://5calls.org/issue/budget-safety-net-cuts-wealthy-tax-breaks/ - you’ll have to ad lib a bit more on the piece about holding the line and securing safeguards against the coup (the Indivisible script above has good language for that)
Right now we are looking at the HOUSE budget vote. The senate’s passed on Friday without making previous tax cuts permanent. This message works for Republican House members OR Democrats in the House.
I’m going to tell my congressman not to fear a government shutdown because we’re in already the middle of rolling shutdowns right now. Make them keep Medicaid. Make them let Trump tax cuts expire.
How bout impeachment? For extorting Ukraine again, for dismantling an agency creating by Congress, for threatening to withhold disaster aid from blue states, for J6, etc. if GOP needs the Dems to govern, the price should be impeachment.
Comments
Is it …
ASK: Vote No on Budgets
WHY: Make R’s spend time to pass a budget on their own
BENEFITS:
* Buy time to raise the roof & turn Republican constituents firmly AGAINST Musk/DOGE cuts
* Gain Congressional Republican agreement to stop __
* Sep. of powers court cases can be heard ?
Who's the "commie" now, Danny boy?
until the crime stops? And then how do you make them stick to it? Or is it agree to no deal at all?
What is the message exactly?
- DOGE flames out (if managers realize Elon has no formal power)
- Courts move fast enough that by the time the first CR hits it’s a foregone conclusion to enforce
- If neither, then public pressure on Dems to do something enables a safer “no” on the next CR
Also, everyone stop referring to them as the Freedom Caucus. They’re a band of mendacious, self-dealing thugs, period.
'I think the only reasonable position is “no help with your problem unless and until the criminal conduct stops.” And any deal needs to be enforceable.'
DC Democrats have proven to be utterly useless.
Are you still in favor of helping the GOP pass the budget?
Up late watching overseas news come in! Yeah it's a RED ALERT!
They have already broken all the institutions, what will keep them from just accessing government funds?
It’s not like the Trump regime is respecting Congress’ legislative role so far.
Why should the power of the purse be different?
Please stop your spree of illegality at this point and we’ll wait years for courts to sort the damage already done is not a rallying cry.
Defeatism is cowardice
Musk will override any deal that the Dems make.
https://action.aclu.org/send-message/congress-save-medicaid-now
the FBI is threatening American citizens
And it’s not *Conservative* to trash the govt, undermine historic checks n balances, destabilize 80 year European alliances, politicize our Dept of Justice, ruin our economy with tariff taxes, etc.
Then it relies on R’s staying unaligned.
I do realize it may be the only opportunity for Congressional operators. But it feels thin
I don’t know what it would look like for a Republican to be aligned. Any anti-Trumper has no political future.
One challenge is R’s need to stay unaligned over time (like a 30 day budget that isn’t renewed if Trump impounds again) for this leverage to be effective
If so, that’s a mighty narrow path to tread. For Trump, if you’re not with him, you’re against him.
The sooner the better.
I'll call my moron tomorrow though. I really do not think I will ever vote for any of the motherfuckers ever again.
Every election they've said this, and then done nothing to shore up the imperiled democracy. It simply won't work anymore.
Partly it’s a matter of semantics, but looking at what happens now, it’s pretty clear what I mean when I say that a Kamala victory would have shored up democracy.
Musk will also own the FAA if we don't stop his illegal take over
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-25/musk-seeks-to-install-starlink-terminals-in-us-airspace-network?srnd=undefined
Better to get the hurt started fast and the outrage directed in the right direction. Republicans are doing this, Democrats would be fucking stupid to be part of it in any way.
Again, people are going to suffer, be crushed economically in every remaining scenario. But one cedes all.
“Politico’s article was alarming. It sound as if you are an active party to a budget agreement that _______
Doesn’t explicitly call out the President or DOGE will not impound funds?”
Let’s DOGE keep on running rampant?”
And the call script you recommend is what?
“Senator Murray, Rep. Jayapal
The recent article in Politico was alarming.
Vote no on ALL budgets, shut down the government…no deals period, but make it the Republicans fault
Then Trump MAY agree to stop impoundments??”
Because I will make this call in the morning
ASK: Vote No on Budgets
WHY: Make R’s spend time to pass a budget on their own
BENEFITS:
* Buy time to raise the roof & turn Republican constituents firmly AGAINST Musk/DOGE cuts
* Gain Congressional Republican agreement to stop __
* Sep. of powers court cases can be heard ?
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna192893
DO NOT BAIL OUT REPUBLICANS.
Republicans are choosing to not assert their power, because they fear Mu$k-fueled primary challenges, Trump insults, maga threats.
But they *have* power, if unexercised.
Shut down & citizen anger have to become MORE uncomfortable than the above fears.
What's the message?
"The Republicans won a mandate". This is their fault.
Take a HARD LINE w/ the GOP in congress - "...no help with your problem unless and until the criminal conduct stops.”
No clean continuing resolution.
You're in charge, mother fuckers. You pass the bill.
@murray.senate.gov @cantwell.senate.gov @repemilyrandall.bsky.social
https://5calls.org/issue/budget-safety-net-cuts-wealthy-tax-breaks/
https://bsky.app/profile/ariellaelm.bsky.social/post/3lixxphcgtc2o
Nothing new, but she stresses to call -especially- if you have a Republican Rep, they only need three to torpedo this thing.
also while cutting 2 trillion of needed services it'll *increase* the deficit=talking point