Daily Dems Doing the Work, Making Noise, and Fighting Back Day 64
The engagement yesterday was incredible. Every single rep mentioned got some love on the post and on their own posts, which is so important.
Can you do it again?
Repping the Rep: Kathy Castor (FL-14)
I wasn’t gonna post about this, it didn’t feel loud enough, but I kept coming back to it.
There is a yearly congressional art competition, one winner per Rep. You’ve probably been seeing a lot about it on their socials. Castor is the first to pick a winner. She chose a boy who took a photo of his parents in the aftermath of the hurricanes last year.
And she could have left it there, but she didn’t, cause, over the last three days I’ve learned that there isn’t a single moment she isn’t thiking about the bigger picture. Everything connects back to the issues she cares about, in this case, the climate crisis.
I don’t know, maybe you’ll disagree that this was post worthy, but in the end, one of our strongest powers right now is to never shut up about the things that matter, no matter the context.
Rep Debbie Dingell (MI-06)
Gave today’s Democratic Daily Download. This episode is about Social Security. There’s something endearing about this. Maybe it’s the video quality or her tone, but it reminds me of those ads where we see someone’s personal testimony. And I think that can be incredibly effective.
One thing I love about Democractic Daily Download is that each rep has their own style, so, maybe one day the video won’t resonate with you, but it might the next day, because, you just connect better with that rep and how they communicate.
On top of giving great information about Social Security and the fact that the GOP are attempting to dismantle it, she also announced that tomorrow, the House Dems are holding a shadow hearing for Social Security.
I know about a lot of things happening every day, but this is one that didn’t get on my radar until I watched the video. The hearing is in the Stearing Committee and the live is already scheduled on YouTube, so if this is something you want to watch, you can!
Rep Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03)
is being blamed by Republicans for the fire at their New Mexico HQ, that likely was arson. They say that this happened because Leger Fernandez said at her town hall to “agitate the other side.”
So, on top of having already posted the entire town hall for her constituents who couldn’t attend to view, two days ago
She also posted a clip of the end of the town hall where she literally calls for “passing the peace.”
She could have made a thing out of this, and gotten attention for calling them out, but we all know that they’re blaming her because that’s the kind of confrontation they want.
She handled this beautifully. Not to mention, I was going to post the clip before I knew the story behind it anyway. I mean, asking your constituents to get up and shake each other’s hand? She’s right, that’s exactly like what happens in any religious space. And then telling people to connect with each other outside. Not to mention the small aside that she can’t talk about campaign matters cause this is a government event. Which is a differentiation far too few people are aware of.
And, closest to my heart, she even mentioned how terrible her comment section is, and the kind of power we have to drown that out.
I’m impressed with every part of this. Sometimes, the best way to fight back is to not rise to the bait.
DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta
Was in Germany this weekend for the Dems Abroad Germany Annual General Meeting.
I didn’t pay attention to the DNC before Ken Martin took the reigns, so could be wrong, but I don’t recall the DNC working this closely and directly with Dems Abroad before. And that’s kind of backed up with the DNC $6m investment in Dems Abroad last year for “the first time ever in a Presidential cycle.”
Investing financially is important, but, actually going there, and meeting these voters, that’s a different thing entirely. And that’s what this DNC is all about. When Ken said “We’re organizing everywhere so we can win anywhere” he meant it.
And I’d like to add, it was successful. Here’s what one person commented on Kenyatta’s post
I am so impressed with this DNC, and I hope you are too!
House Democrats
Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Lois Frankle (FL-22) and Joe Neguse (CO-02) and Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) led 202 of their Dem colleagues in writing an amicus brief for the case against DT dismantling USAID. That means all but 7 House Dems were involved in this brief.
For those who don’t know, an Amicus brief is a document submitted to the court by a person or organization that has something to add that the Judge(s) wouldn’t see otherwise. It could be new information or a new perspective.
Congress typically doesn’t get involved in court proceedings, but so far, in this Admin, the Dems have done it twice. The first time was with the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Buerau) and we won the case.
Sen Jeff Merley (OR)
Explained the three step plan the GOP is using to privatize all government agencies. Once you fire people, those who rely on the agencies start to question if they can do their job, and that’s when you privatize. It’s brilliant in an evil mastermind way.
I knew this intuitively but that doesn’t mean I had thought through it, and Merkley does a fantastic job of walking you through their thought process.
Maybe you were like me or maybe you didn’t know at all. Regardless, this is a fantastic way to brush up on this grift.
Sen Cory Booker (NJ)
This morning, Booker posted this video about how this is an American moment and we must all speak up and get involved, even moreso than we did in 2017.
At first I thought this might be a campaign video, either for his Senate reelection or for us to fight back, or both. But then, this happened:
And he is live, as I’m typing this and will probably still be speaking as you’re reading this. You can watch the feed on his YouTube, or watch his IG live or even C-SPAN, totally up to you, regardless, let’s support this good trouble!
Finally,
Sen Peter Welch (VT)
Posted what should be a series, of five things DT and his goons did this week that hurt us.
I try my best not to help spread the really bad news, enough people are spreading it already, but, I have to amplify this video. It’s concise, specific and I think would be perfect to watch for those friends and family members who just haven’t gotten activated yet cause they don’t think politics affects them.
So, those are some of today’s Dems doing the work. Please make sure to engage with the content itself, not just the thread. As TLF said, they need more positive comments, cause most them aren’t.
If you made it this far comment with 🇩🇪 cause for this DNC organizing everywhere really does mean organizing everywhere
Our voices are superpower, but only when we use them!
Brilliant work, thank you 😊
🇩🇪