Fifteen Minutes For Our Future 

We hold a weekly Zoom call – Mondays @ 9AM – to identify actions that each of us can take in the upcoming week to protect democracy and fight the ongoing coup. 

Zoom link: https://thirdact-org.zoom.us/j/82440725942?pwd=v49jWOQdLp1gxWp9P9jn05twfc3H7l.1

Weekly 15 Minutes Action Items

June 1 – 

Flip the PA US House Delegation Blue

Now that the primary election is over, we Third Actors can focus on actions geared to turning Pennsylvania blue and thereby helping preserve democracy and the environment. These actions include working to flip the four most vulnerable districts in our state. 

These districts include 

PA 01, where Bob Harvie hopes to unseat Brian Fitzpatrick (https://bobharvieforcongress.com/);

PA 07, where Bob Brooks hopes to unseat Ryan Mackenzie (https://brooksforcongress.com/);

PA 08, where Paige Cognetti hopes to unseat Ryan Bresnahan (https://paigeforpa.com/);

PA 10, where Janelle Stelson hopes to unseat Scott Perry (https://janellestelson.com/).

Ways that you can help:

•     Donate to the campaigns (above websites)
•     Write get-out-the-vote postcards to PA voters: https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/
•     Canvass with Ground Truth in PA 10, knocking on doors in York: 

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/885637/

Phone bank with Ground Truth in PA and other swing states

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/872281/

Get Inspired at Our Next 15 Minutes for Our Future

Join us at our next “Fifteen Minutes for Our Future” on June 8th at 9:00 am.  We will welcome guest speaker, Michael Ansara, who will share his thoughts on how Blue States (like VT and MA) can best support swing states (like PA). 

WHAT: Fifteen Minutes for Our Future: WHAT IN THE WORLD can two blue states do to support the purple state of PA?

WHEN: Monday, June 8th from 9:00 – 9:15 am

WHO: Michael Ansara, political activist and movement builder 

WHERE: Join us HERE

We’re pleased to welcome Michael Ansara, a prominent political activist who recently authored The Hard Work of Hope, which explores urgent issues: How does a movement build support when large parts of the country are opposed to its goals? How do you connect with people who disagree with you? How do you build organizations that unite across racial lines? As a longtime movement builder, he is on the organizing team for Volunteer Blue. 

He has dedicated his life to activism, beginning with the civil rights movement of the 1960s, organizing opposition to the Vietnam War as an SDS organizer.  He served as Executive Director of Mass Fair Share, a community-based organization fighting for economic justice, worked on political campaigns, and coordinated large voter registration efforts.

Real time action

Call Your Senators to Oppose ICE Funding and Trump’s Thug Fund

Script:

I am calling to urge the senator not to pass any appropriations or budget reconciliation bill that provides funding for ICE. The horrific abuses perpetrated by ICE are ongoing. Also, I don’t want one penny of my hard-earned taxes to go toward a fund that may be distributed to the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. They violently attacked police officers, they defaced the walls of congress, and they threatened congresspeople. Many continue to break the law, including sexually abusing minors. Not one penny! Thank you.

Previous Actions:

May 18 –

PA Residents–Make Plans to Vote Tuesday

If you aren’t voting  by mail or waited too long to return your ballot, be sure to show up at the polls Tuesday, May 19, to vote in the primary (take your uncompleted mail-in ballot with you to spoil).  

(VT Primary August 11; MA Primary September 1).

Good Trouble Lives On

Protect voting rights and sign this pledge to participate in the Good Trouble Lives On–Weekend of Action July 17-19. Sign Up Here

Real Time Action

Give Senator Fetterman Hell!

John Fetterman (202-224-4254) crossed the aisle to defeat a Senate vote that would have advanced a bill to take back Congress’s war powers over the Iran War. 

Tell him you’re furious that he’s supporting this deeply unpopular war and that you hold him responsible for high gas prices and the surge in inflation. 

“I am infuriated that Senator Fetterman once again crossed the aisle to defeat a vote advancing a bill to take back Congress’s constitutionally mandated war powers over the Iran War. [As a constituent], I expect the senator to uphold the Constitution. When the bill comes to the floor again, I expect him to vote yes. Thank you.”

May 11 –

Oppose the ICE and CBP Budget Reconciliation Funding Bill 

May 5, 2026: The Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees have released the proposed text of the Republican budget reconciliation bill. It provides $38.2 billion for ICE, $26 billion for CBP, and $1 billion for “security” related features of Trump’s ballroom. The committees may do markups on the text to make changes during the week of May 11th before it goes to the full Senate for a vote.

Protect the Vote Webinar –  Thursday, May 14th – 7PM Eastern, from Third Act 

Action:

Contact Dem leaders about VA redistricting outrage – voters approved, VA Supreme Court overrides.

Sample script, feel free to improvise: : 

States typically draw their congressional maps once every decade after a US Census. Instead, Republican-led states are redistricting now, prompted by Donald Trump’s desire to rig the election and maintain Republican control of the House after the midterms.

So far this year, Republicans have gerrymandered 14 new Republican seats, with 4 more on the way. Last week, the Virginia Supreme Court overrode a voter-approved referendum to redistrict in their state. This is an insult to the majority of citizens who voted to fight back against Trump’s attempt to steal the midterm elections. This kind of treachery angers voters so much that it will actually help Democrats at the ballot box in November when the entire General Assembly is up for election.

Bookmark: 

Do something nice for a mom incarcerated at Dilley detention center this Mother’s Day. It’s just an online form. It takes a couple of minutes and it’ll mean the world to these families. Go to childrensrights.org/for… and send them some love!

May 4 –

• Postcards to Get Out the Vote in PA

Write postcards to get out the vote in Pennsylvania in partnership with the Progressive Turnout Project.

Sign up for the PA campaign at Postcards to Swing States for postcards and addresses

https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/.

• Oppose Immunity for Big Oil

Sign this petition sponsored by Third Act, opposing Congress granting immunity from climate suits to Big Oil.

Sign Here

• Don’t Buy Anything From Companies that Support Trump!

This App reports on political spending by companies and wealthy individuals. They have a new Trump badge system for companies (like Amazon) who are using large donations to buy Trump’s favor. https://www.goodsuniteus.com/

•  Mobilize PA call – TODAY 5PM!

• Real Time Actions

In Response to the Supreme Court Gutting the Voting Rights Act, call your senators and representatives. Afterwards, send them emails.

Senator

I am appalled by the Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v Callais, which essentially guts the Voting Rights Act and potentially disenfranchises the very people it was intended to protect. I ask that the senator vote in favor of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act and  pass legislation to create nonpartisan redistricting commissions for every state. The current partisan gerrymandering is reprehensible. Voters should be able to choose their politicians, not the other way around. Thank you.

Representative

I am appalled by the Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v Callais, which essentially guts the Voting Rights Act and potentially disenfranchises the very people it was intended to protect. I ask that the representative pass legislation to create nonpartisan redistricting commissions for every state. The current partisan gerrymandering is reprehensible. Voters should be able to choose their politicians, not the other way around. 

[Send a letter to Congress: Restore the Voting Rights Act and protect our votes. Here]

Sign the MoveOn Petition: Demand term limits for Supreme Court justices. Here

April 27 –

• Postcarding – District 8

• Protect the Boundary Waters
• Sign this petition to Governor Walz. Tell Governor Walz to Cancel BWCA Mineral Lease – friends-bwca.org

• Get Two Friends Ready to Vote
• Ask two friends (particularly young friends) to register to vote or verify their registrations Friends Ask Friends to Vote | American Civil Liberties Union
• PA Voter Registration Status
• MA Voter Registration Status
• VT Voter Registration Status

• Wear a Protest Button
• If you can do it safely in your neighborhood, add an anti-Trump button to your usual wardrobe. Etsy is a good source. 
• 

Real Time Action

• Call Out Betting in politics 
• The use of online gambling and prediction markets on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket has been on the rise over the last year, leading to problematic betting on political issues like elections, assassinations, and acts of war. There is currently no federal recourse against government officials betting in these prediction markets, leading to concerns about insider trading and the manipulation of politics for personal profit. Lawmakers have introduced the Banning Event Trading on Sensitive Operations and Federal Functions, the BETS OFF Act
• Script:
• https://5calls.org/issue/prediction-markets-insider-trading/

April 20 –

Become a Poll Worker or Greeter – time is now!

• There is always a need for trained volunteers at the polls. Get trained now during the primaries so you’ll be ready to counter Republican dirty tricks for the crucially important midterms. Poll workers work on a nonpartisan basis inside the polling place and often receive minimal pay. In PA they can apply up until Election Day. Contact your county Board of Elections or your local Democratic party. Or, work as a partisan greeter at the Democratic info table outside the polls. The primary responsibility here is to hand out sample ballots. Contact your local Democratic Committee person or Democratic party.
• More information, click here

Get Ready for May 1st–May Day

• Join the general strike–No work. No School. No Shopping 
• Get inspired by joining this labor planning call on Tuesday, August 21, at 8:00 ET 
• Register Here
• Plan ahead. Check out where folks are gathering for May Day

Action: Please contact Reps and Senators about your greatest concern, this week. Back to real-time actions, next Monday.

VoProPro training – if you are doing this, this week, please post in chat so that team leads can follow up with any questions you  might have.

Earth Day: plant something!

April 13 – 

Action – Call For Removing a President Who Is Unfit to Serve – Ratchet up 25th Amendment pressure – call reps and senators

Example Script 

I’m calling to express my outrage over Trump’s ongoing abuses of power, unconstitutional actions, and violent authoritarianism. I ask that ____move to impeach Trump for his corruption, his barbarous threats of war crimes, his handling of the Epstein files, and his extreme incompetence. How much damage does one man have to do before Congress impeaches and removes him? 

Note: This effort is not likely to succeed yet, but, as Jennifer Rubin puts it, we want to make “Republicans defend keeping a madman in office for another 2 ½+ years.”

Sign Up to Write Letters for Vote Forward

Vote Forward is a nonpartisan group and require printing out letters instead of postcards, but they are focused on PA historically underrepresented communities. The letters are pre-printed, so not much writing is required. https://votefwd.org/campaigns

Blame Trump for High Prices

Order these “I Did This” stickers (with picture of Trump) on Etsy Stickers Here ($14.39 for 100) and stick them on gas pumps and grocery store shelves.

May Day

Our next national action will be on Friday, May 1, 2026, when workers, students, and families rally, march, and take action across the country to demand a nation that puts workers over billionaires, with many refusing business as usual through No School. No Work. No Shopping.

Sign up atMay Day Strong to take part in the May Day Strong National Day of Action and get updates, tools, and ways to take action. 

April 6 – 

1. Iran – real time action (end of call)
2. Revisit:  PA focus/partnership to flip Districts 7,8, 10 and maybe 1
3. VoProPros kick-off
   • HELP ENSURE EVERY VOTE COUNTS in the PA PRIMARY
   • What: We partner with a group called Vote ProPros to help “save” or “cure” Democratic votes when a mistake is made. We will be working with them in the lead-up to the PA Primary Election on May 19th.
   • CURING: help Democratic voters fix errors on their mail-in ballots that is reported by the District, so their vote will count (missing a signature or privacy envelope…)
   • Type of work you will be doing: Calling Democratic voters on your own time between 9:30am and 8:00pm.Calling starts in mid- to late April and continues through the Primary on May 19. This work is done via phone and can be done from anywhere.TRAINING TIMESThursday, April 16:  6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Third Act Coach: MegSunday, April 19:  12:00 pm – 1:30 pm – Third Act Coach:  TammisFriday, April 24: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm – Third Act Coach:  ShaunACT NOW – SIGN UP FOR YOUR TRAINING Complete this Curing Training Sign Up form to help voters fix technical errors on their mail-in ballots (starts mid- to late April)

     Do the training now! Help save Democratic votes!

     Get comfortable “curing” so we can be “pros” for the mid-terms!

4. Current postcarding activities and resources – Meg
5. Real time action : Suggested script (please inject your own passion) – “I’m calling Senator/Representative — to urge that he/she supports the War Powers Resolution and takes back Congress’s ability to authorize armed conflict. The president is threatening actions that are war crimes. This is not what our country stands for. In fact, the senator/representative should call for the 25th Amendment to be invoked. “

March 30 –

• Third Act All-In Call with Erica Chenoweth, March 30 at 7pm ET: https://thirdact.org/events/spring-all-in-call-elders-against-authoritarianism-whats-next-after-no-kings/
• No Kings was powerful – in part because of what it will allow us to do next. Join our What’s Next After No Kings 3? Mass Call on Tuesday 3/31 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT to learn about calls to actions and what you can do to funnel this power and momentum forward.
• https://postcards.fieldteam6.org/getting_started
  • Meg update

Other Calls to Action:

• Let your Democratic MoCs know you’ve got their back in the DHS funding fight and urge them not to cave! Contact Senate here and House here.

March 23 –

Oppose MARKWAYNE MULLIN nomination

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].

I’m calling to ask that [REP/SEN NAME] oppose the confirmation of Senator Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of DHS. Mullin is a hardline political appointee who will simply continue this administration’s disastrous leadership of the department and keep endangering Americans.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

NB: feel free to be more descriptive 🙂

Cancel SAVE

With SAVE’s fate all but sealed, the coming days will put Republicans to the test as they at least try to pass what President Donald Trump says should be their “No. 1 priority.”

Losing Republicans on launch: Thune will kick things off as soon as Tuesday with a vote that requires only a simple majority to open debate. At least one Republican — Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina — is planning to oppose the move, but Thune will likely have the votes to proceed. Potential opponents of the bill know it will ultimately be blocked when the Senate moves to end debate — something that will require 60 votes.

Other Republicans to watch are Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Murkowski last week declined to say how she would vote and said she needed more clarity on the mechanics of the debate.

NB: Would a Real ID prove citizenship for a married woman under the SAVE America Act? Mostly not. Only five states (or six if you count Idaho, where it’s optional) include citizenship info on Real IDs. Everywhere else you’d need more. And if you’re a married woman who’s changed her name? “Difficult” doesn’t begin to describe it.

Resist IRAN war

Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].

I’m calling to demand [REP/SEN NAME] put an end to Trump’s unconstitutional and unwanted war with Iran. I urge [REP/SEN NAME] to…

• introduce and vote on another war powers resolution to exert Congress’s constitutional authority over military conflict, (and)
• conduct aggressive oversight with public hearings on the Trump administration’s actions in Iran, (and)
• refuse to pass any supplemental funding for this unauthorized military action, (and)
• support articles of impeachment and move to convict and remove Trump for his repeated defiance of the Constitution.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

SIGN UP – No Kings

March 16 –

1. Introducing the PA election timeline with link to info on being a poll watcher/worker 
2. Help Turn PA Blue fund “Got Regrets?” billboards on I-95 aimed at Republicans https://secure.actblue.com/donate/pl_tpab_2026billboard?
3. Volunteer with your local Indivisible to be a peacekeeper for No Kings and beyond. Virtual training here on Tuesday, March 24, 7-8 EDT https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/906969/
4. Real Time Action – Call your representative again to oppose Iran war

[If your rep voted NO on War Powers bill] I’m calling to say that I’m furious that the Congressmember voted against the War Powers Resolution. This is an illegal war with no end goals, no plan, and no support from American voters. It’s costing a billion dollars a day—meanwhile we can’t afford healthcare or rent. I’m livid. 

[If your rep voted YES on War Powers bill:] I’m calling to thank the Congressmember for voting for the War Powers Resolution. I’m extremely upset that it failed.

[Now to all say:] I want Congress to vote on another war powers resolution to exert Congress’s constitutional authority over military conflict and refuse to pass any supplemental funding for this unauthorized military action. 

Extra credit after call–Residents of any state, leave a message with Senator John Fetterman (202-224-4254) letting him know how grateful you are that he opposed the SAVE Act (Lisa Murkowski, too). 

March 9 – 

1. Sign up for an inspiring discussion

Elders for Sound Democracy (part of Elders Action Network)
Minneapolis: The People Who Have Inspired Us.

Please join Elders for Sound Democracy on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 10:00 am Pacific / 1:00 pm Eastern for a conversation with a panel including four volunteers and grassroots organizers from Minneapolis. The panel will share their stories, hard-won insights, and practical lessons about community resilience and collective action. Together, we’ll reflect on their experiences and explore resources and strategies we can apply in our own communities as we work to create the world we want.

https://eldersaction.org/events/esd-community-meeting-3-18-26

2. Sign a petition from MoveOn opposing ICE warehouses in PA

https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/stop-new-ice-detention-centers-in-pennsylvania

3. Real Time Action

[If your rep voted NO on War Powers bill] I’m calling to say that I’m furious that the Congressmember voted against the War Powers Resolution. This is an illegal war with no end goals, no plan, and no support from American voters. It’s going to cost a billion dollars a day—meanwhile we can’t afford healthcare or rent. I’m livid. 

[If your rep voted YES on War Powers bill:] I’m calling to thank the Congressmember for voting for the War Powers Resolution. I’m extremely upset that it failed.

[Now to all say:] I want Congress to vote on another war powers resolution to exert Congress’s constitutional authority over military conflict and refuse to pass any supplemental funding for this unauthorized military action. 

Extra credit after call–Residents of any state, leave a message with Senator John Fetterman (202-224-4254) letting him know how angry you are that he was the only Democratic Senator to vote against reining  in Trump’s insane war.

Extra Credit + for Vermonters:

Robert Reich video – please watch!

March 2 –

Call Your Senators and Reps and Demand They Take Back Their War Powers

Lawmakers are calling for a vote early this week.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5760287-lawmakers-call-war-powers-vote/

For Senators:

I’m calling to urge Senator______ to support S. J. Res. 59, the bipartisan war powers resolution, and stop the Trump administration from launching military strikes on Iran without congressional authorization. Congress must maintain its war powers authority and prevent a military escalation in Iran and get back to the business of investigating the President’s involvement with the Epstein files. 

For Congressmembers:

I’m calling to urge Rep. Houlahan to support H. Con. Res. 38, the bipartisan war powers resolution, and stop the Trump administration from launching military strikes on Iran without congressional authorization. Congress must maintain its war powers authority and prevent a military escalation in Iran and get back to the business of investigating the President’s involvement with the Epstein files. 

For Fun–Knitters and Crocheters

Like the pussy hats in Trump’s first term, people are making red melt ICE wool hats mimicking the hats Norwegians wore in the 1940s to clandestinely protest the Nazi invasion.

Here is a gift link to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer

https://www.inquirer.com/news/ice-philly-minneapolis-red-caps-knitting-20260208.html?utm_source=social&utm_campaign=gift_link&utm_medium=referral

Patterns from Ravelry for knit and crochet versions

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melt-the-ice-toque

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melt-the-ice-crochet-version

If you’re all thumbs–also available ready-made on Etsy.

Lynn Coody on Vermont Anti-ICE efforts

February 23 –

Tell Your Representative: Not a penny more for ICE brutality

Republicans have chosen to shut down the Department of Homeland Security while negotiations for funding continue…and according to all reports, ICE and Border Patrol continue to terrorize communities. We must keep up the pressure on Congress to protect communities and NOT CAVE on providing more ICE funding.

Use this Indivisible link to call or email your elected officials (and Chuck Schumer) today. Scripts and info provided. 

https://indivisible.org/campaigns/halt-ice-terror/

Pennsylvaniains–Thank Gov. Shapiro for Opposing ICE Detention Centers

PA Governor Josh Shapiro and leaders in his administration are “warning federal officials that it will not issue required state permits for two planned immigration detention centers if initial reporting about the facilities is accurate.”

More info.

• Use the constituent text line to thank them: (717-788-8990) 

Recruit More Protestors for March 28 No Kings

If we want the biggest nonviolent protest in American history we need to recruit outside our usual bubbles. Post these messages on all your social media platforms.

https://app.sosha.ai/toolkit/no-kings-march-28-trump-14c1?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Donate to Help Children In ICE Custody

February 16 – 

>> The Republican voter suppression SAVEAct has passed the House and will be coming up for a vote in the Senate. It’s projected that it could disenfranchise as many as 21 million voters. Call your Senators and ask them to vote against this Act.

• Suggested script 
• “I’m calling to urge Senator _____ to oppose the House-passed SAVE America Act, which would create unnecessary barriers to voter registration and disenfranchise countless voters, especially women, seniors, and low-income citizens. The bill is designed to block voters despite no evidence of widespread fraud.”

>>It’s petition season! Many local Democratic committees are holding petition parties and meet-the-candidate events. If you’re not yet on a mailing list for your local and county committees, contact them and ask to be added. You’ll hear about ways you can support your local Democratic party as a volunteer. The state primary is May 19, and now is the perfect time to get informed and connected. 

>> Red Wine & Blue wants to help you prepare and feel safe if ICE comes to your town. Join them and their partners, the ACLU and Democracy Security Project, on Tuesday, February 17, at 7:30PM ET to learn how!

• RSVP for Protecting Our Communities from ICE: Staying Safe While Standing Up for our Neighbors on Tuesday at 7:30PM ET.

>> EVP update – JoAnn Karsh

February 9 – 

Save-the-date for the Next No Kings protest–Saturday, March 28.

Support Democracy Docket

Sign up for Democracy Docket newsletter of voting rights cases (and pay a small subscription if you can) to support Mark Elias and his law firm–Elias Law Group. They are the law firm most involved in fighting election interference and are currently litigating 80 voter suppression cases all over the country. https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/  “Between seizing ballots in Georgia, trying to leverage Minnesota to turn over its sensitive voter data, and political prosecutions, the DOJ is laying the groundwork to subvert the 2026 election” Mark Elias

Real time action: more calls to Senators and Reps to oppose ICE funding.

• We have until February 13 to pressure Congress to support changes to ICE funding. Call your Congressperson now and your two Senators after this call.
• Script to use now for House members.–I’m calling to urge you to refuse to vote for any appropriations bill funding the Department of Homeland Security that fails to rein in ICE. We can’t wait around while ICE harms more people. We demand ironclad restrictions on ICE and Border Patrol, including getting ICE and Border Patrol out of our communities, ending the blank check for their brutality, and creating clear guardrails to stop warrantless arrests, profiling, and enforcement at sensitive locations like schools or hospitals. 
• Script to use later for Senators–I’m calling to urge you to refuse to vote for any DHS appropriations that fail to rein in ICE. The list of demands, released by the Democrats, is the bare minimum we should accept. Not one item less. And I want ironclad guarantees that ICE will have to comply. Do not cave. Americans are behind you. Stay strong.=

February 2 –

>> Email and complain to the CEOs of Target, Hilton, and Enterprise over their support of ICE.

https://freedcproject.org/news/solidarity-with-minnesota-email-the-ceos-of-target-hilton-and-enterprise?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

• Target – rolled back DEI support; turns a blind eye to on site abductions
• Hilton – houses ICE in MPLS
• Enterprise – provides vehicles to ICE

>> Urge your state attorneys general to join with other state AGs and to investigate ICE, the Border Patrol, and their leadership (Noem, Miller, Trump), with a view toward possible criminal prosecution. Trump cannot pardon them or protect them from state-level prosecutions. (You can locate the office of your state attorney general through theNational Association of Attorneys General website or theUSAGov directory. Most offices have official websites with online complaint forms, phone numbers, and mailing addresses for submitting consumer inquiries, complaints, or reports.)

>> Postcard overview – Meg

>> Real time action: more calls to Senators and Reps to oppose ICE funding.

Last Friday, the Senate passed a government funding package splitting out DHS funding and limiting it under a 10-day continuing resolution. The House first and then the Senate have until February 13 to pass a new DHS funding bill. Call your Congressperson now to demand they support defunding ICE. 

Script here: 

“I’m calling to urge Rep. ____ to push to defund ICE by opposing any appropriations bill that maintains ICE funding. This lawless agency is endangering public safety and must be held accountable.

Further, Rep. ____ must support a standalone DHS funding bill so that funding for other government agencies is not held hostage during negotiations.”

January 26 –

Of course, it is all about ICE. Much of this is by design. Where are the Democrats?? So we are suggesting three things, this week:

January 19 –

Near term:

Bombard Congress with calls and emails to stop ICE overreach

• Demand a fight over Homeland Security funding. Department of Homeland Security funding is part of budget negotiations that must be completed before January 30. Democrats have rare leverage to slash ICE spending or at least impose meaningful reforms, including unmasking federal agents.
• In the wake of ICE’s deadly shooting, Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) has called for Noem’s removal, alleging “obstruction of Congress,” “violation of public trust,” and “self dealing.” With more than 50 House Democrats cosponsoring the impeachment, you have an opportunity to thank your lawmakers or encourage others to get on board.

Script suggestion 

Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

I’m calling to urge the Senator to filibuster the upcoming Homeland Security appropriations bill unless [choose one or more from the following]

1. There are significant changes to how ICE operates, so they aren’t behaving like lawless thugs
2. ICE’s funding bump from the One Big Beautiful Bill is erased and returned to last year’s levels of $10B annually (down from the larger $37.5B)
3. ICE is completely defunded and operations are paused until the agency can be vetted/reformed
4. ICE is shut down entirely

I’m sick of watching lawful citizens and noncitizens being arrested at their jobs, assaulted at peaceful protests, pulled out of their vehicles, blinded by munitions, and getting shot and killed. It’s un-American. We need qualified, well-trained officers to enforce only immigration law — not rogue, unidentified agents detaining, assaulting, shooting, and murdering people. Congress needs to step up and use its power in the Constitution to rein in ICE.

Common Cause has built a remarkable tool that lets you plug in your home address and receive a roster with contact information for the elected officials who represent you — from city council members to U.S. senators.

Ongoing:

Help Flip the House – PA focus!

Link to 2026 15 Minutes strategy document

January 12 – 

Our focus for 2026 – winnable races in PA, specifically in districts 7, 8 and 10. We can win these seats and win back the House of Representatives!

• Consider VoteRiders training in January – key to get people their IDs in advance of the mid-term:https://www.mobilize.us/voteriders/event/483780/
• Follow this group (from the Robert Hubbell newsletter). They are targeting the Bresnehan and Perry races, while Cook Political shows “R toss up” as MacKenzie and Perry.  https://www.forcemultiplierus.org/

Stop ICE

Contact your Senators/Reps about the ICE killing (and if you’ve already done it, do it again).

Script: I’m furious that the ICE officer who murdered Renee Nicole Good hasn’t been arrested. Anyone who has seen the video can clearly see that this was an execution. We must have justice. Also, ICE needs to be reined in. Americans aren’t safe while these lawless thugs operate with impunity. It’s Congress’s job to fix this immediately.

GoFundME page for Renee Good’s family

Unfreeze Child Care Funds

Trump’s government has frozen of billions in child care funds to 5 blue states–centers will close and working people will suffer. Call your Reps

Detail

Access to reliable child care is critical in the United States and enables millions of parents and guardians to enter or remain in the workforce. It’s already painfully expensive, with American families paying nearly $1,000 per month per child. The Trump Administration spent its first year in office making matters worse, repeatedly weakening child care and early education programs. Now they’ve frozen $10 billion in funding for child care and poor families in five blue states, and are planning on putting up more obstacles nationwide in the future.

Script and an email tool from the Coalition for Human Needs here.

January 5 – 

Monitor Cook Political Report: https://www.cookpolitical.com

Focus, focus, focus:

• House races, especially, PA 7, 8 and 10.
• VoteRiders training in January – key to get people their IDs in advance of the mid-term:https://www.mobilize.us/voteriders/event/483780/

Get up to speed about/with the New Pennsylvania Project

Venezuela call script:

This is their suggested call script to lawmakers:

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State].

I’m outraged that the Trump administration is pushing us into war with Venezuela. They’ve escalated military pressure and taken over without a clear plan for transitioning power. All without authorization from Congress.

Your constituents do not want another endless war. We do not want more violence where US servicemembers and civilians are put in danger, just to serve Trump and his Big Oil cronies.

Congress must reassert its war powers. I’m counting on you to stand up to Trump and put a check on his power grab immediately. Thanks