Week of 4/20/25

The ACTION:  We are asking you to call/meet/attend a Town Hall with your Congressman and Senators during this recess and let them know that the due process rights of immigrants matter to you and should matter to every American citizen and here’s why.

During a meeting with President Bukele of El Salvador on Monday, April 14, in which Trump could have asked for Mr. Garcia to be returned, instead Trump broadcast his intention to send American citizens to be imprisoned in El Salvador. On a hot mic, he said to Bukele, “You gotta build about five more places. It’s not big enough. . . Home-growns are next.” Trump appears to be gearing up to put American citizens beyond the reach of the justice system.  According to the Holocaust Memorial Museum, a prison that “functions outside a judicial system” and where “prisoners are not indicted or convicted of any crime by judicial process” is a concentration camp.

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Scripts for all 3 of your representatives, courtesy of Jessica Craven:

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

I’m deeply alarmed that the Trump administration is ignoring the Supreme Court’s order to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia home. Trump is in clear violation of the Constitution, which the Senator/Congressmember has taken an oath to protect and uphold. If the government can bypass courts for Mr. Abrego Garcia, they can potentially do it to any of us. We are in a Constitutional crisis. What is the Senator/Congressmember doing about it?

[If GOP Staffer add:] If the Senator/Congressmember won’t act to uphold our most fundamental constitutional rights then they should resign. Shame on them.

[If Dem add:] Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to check on Abrego Garcia’s condition. Though he met with Mr. Abrego Garcia he was unable to bring him home. EVERY DEMOCRAT should be speaking up and demanding the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia. And as a member of Congress from Massachusetts, you should be speaking up about kidnappings of residents off our streets. The latest is Juan Mendez of New Bedford, who was violently and possibly mistakenly seized by ICE. Please publicly support Mr. Mendez who was in the process of gaining legal status in the U.S and now is in a detention center in NH. A hearing on his case will be held May 7, and he deserves your support.

If you are calling a Republican lawmaker outside of MA about Mr. Abrego Garcia, and a staffer says,  “but he is a criminal/gang member,” you can say: First of all, that’s false and your office shouldn’t be spreading lies. He’s been neither accused nor convicted of any crimes in the U.S. or in El Salvador. Would you like me to send you the article debunking that misinformation? There are several. And even if he were a criminal, he’s still entitled to due process, which isn’t optional in America—it’s guaranteed, as the 4th Circuit just pointed out.

If they say “he’s not a citizen” you can say: He was here legally. Let me read to you from the Supreme Court’s ruling: The United States has acknowledged that Abrego Garcia was subject to a withholding order forbidding his removal to El Salvador, and that the removal to El Salvador was therefore illegal.” The Justice Department acknowledged the removal was the result of an “administrative error.” This is very cut and dried. He needs to be returned to the U.S.

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Following are the phone numbers for elected officials in our area, all of whom are Democrats.

MA Senators:

• Ed Markey (D): (202) 224-2742 (DC Office); (617) 565-8519 (Boston Office)

• Elizabeth Warren (D): (202) 224-4543 (DC Office); (617) 565-3170 (Boston Office)

Congressional Representatives:

• Seth Moulton (D): (202) 225-8020 (DC Office); (978) 531-1669 (Salem Office)

• Katherine Clark (D): (202) 225-2836 (DC Office); (617) 354-0292 (Malden Office) 

• Lori Trahan (D): (202) 225-3411 (DC Office): (978) 459-0101 (Lowell Office)

For other Senators, CLICK HERE for contact info.

Week of 4/13/2025

We are asking that you call your Senators of both parties and let them know you are opposed to this voter suppression bill.  Passing in the Senate will require 60 votes, so if every Democrat votes against it, the bill will die.  That makes calls to Democratic Senators particularly important.

Here are two good scripts plus some additional information you can use, one from Jessica Craven and one from Indivisible:

1.       From Jessica Craven -- The House Just Passed the SAVE Act

2.       From Indivisible – Tell Your Senator to Vote No

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If you are represented by any of the following twelve senators -- it is especially urgent to call them today and urge them to vote no. And then urge any friends/family who may be represented by them to call as well.

Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), John Fetterman (PA), Ruben Gallego (AZ), Maggie Hassan (NH), Mark Kelly (AZ), John Ossoff (GA), Gary Peters (MI), Jacky Rosen (NV), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Elissa Slotkin (MI), Mark Warner (VA), or Raphael Warnock (GA)

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Following are the phone numbers for the MA Senators, both of whom are Democrats.

MA Senators:

• Ed Markey (D): (202) 224-2742 (DC Office); (617) 565-8519 (Boston Office)

• Elizabeth Warren (D): (202) 224-4543 (DC Office); (617) 565-3170 (Boston Office)

For other Senators, CLICK HERE for contact info.

Week of 4/6/2025

Congress Must Reclaim Its Power

Trump’s imposition of worldwide tariffs relies on the International Economic Emergencies Powers Act, which allows a President to impose tariffs in the event of an economic emergency.  But there is no emergency. Therefore, the power to impose tariffs lies primarily with the Congress.

On April 3, the Senate passed a resolution declaring that there is no emergency and rescinding the tariffs on Canada. This was a good first step and included 4 Republican Senators voting in favor. Now, Senators Grassley (R-IA) and Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced the Trade Review Act of 2025 to reclaim Congressional power over tariffs. The House must act on these bills as well.

Tell Congress that this economic catastrophe is on them; Congress needs to reclaim their power and stop Trump’s ill-considered tariffs.

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Call your Democratic Senator:

Hello Senator .................,

My name is .................. from [your hometown].

Thank you for taking a stand against Trump’s tariffs against Canada. That is a great first step. But Trump’s policy has tanked the stock market and is likely to result in a recession. This policy will upend my family’s financial security. It has already tanked our retirement funds. Please reclaim your power by voting for the Trade Review Act of 2025. Trump’s worldwide tariffs will destroy American prosperity.

Thank you.

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Call your Representative:

Hello Congressperson .................,

My name is .................. from [your hometown].

I understand that a bipartisan group of Senators has introduced a bill that would reclaim some of Congress’s rightful power over tariffs. It’s called the Trade Review Act of 2025. I would like to see the Congressmember introduce a companion bill in the House. I also want him/her to press Speaker Johnson to allow a vote on the Senate-passed resolution to revoke Trump’s Canadian tariffs. Trump cannot be allowed to continue his catastrophic attack on our economy. Congress has the power to stop it. I expect them to do so.

Thank you.

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Following are the phone numbers for elected officials in our area, all of whom are Democrats.

Senators:

• Ed Markey (D): (202) 224-2742 (DC Office); (617) 565-8519 (Boston Office)

• Elizabeth Warren (D): (202) 224-4543 (DC Office); (617) 565-3170 (Boston Office)

Congressional Representatives:

• Seth Moulton (D): (202) 225-8020 (DC Office); (978) 531-1669 (Salem Office)

• Katherine Clark (D): (202) 225-2836 (DC Office); (617) 354-0292 (Malden Office) 

• Lori Trahan (D): (202) 225-3411 (DC Office): (978) 459-0101 (Lowell Office)

For other Senators and Representatives, CLICK HERE for contact info.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Week of 3/30/2025:  

On April 5, Hands Off protest rallies will be held nationwide to demonstrate opposition to the Trump/Musk regime. Please attend one of the mobilizations protesting the wholesale destruction of our government.

Viruses and monopolies are things the government can do something about, but not if it’s broken. Our government once used its considerable power to support public universities and their research in creating vibrant and competitive markets for basic foods.  Today, the Trump administration is trashing universities, NIH, and all research programs to make the government work only for the wealthiest among us. For those who voted on the “price of eggs,” prices are still going up!  Let’s stop this now!

Rallies will be held in Gloucester, Ipswich, Beverly, Salem and Boston, as well as in Washington, D.C. where there will be a large national gathering.

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Take Immediate ACTION:

• FIND A RALLY LOCATION AND REGISTER

Week of 3/23/2025:  

This week we are asking you to donate or make phone calls for Susan Crawford who is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  With less than 10 days until April 1, Election Day in Wisconsin, early voting is going on now.  With the Republicans in Congress cowed by Trump and doing whatever he asks, and many clashes between the Administration and the courts yet to be resolved, it is particularly important to demonstrate the power we all hold as citizens — at the ballot box. 

Musk has, at this writing, contributed $13 million to the campaign of Brad Schimel, a Trump acolyte. He hopes to buy the election through his two PACs. In addition, this week, a Musk-funded group sent out postcards to Democrats giving them the wrong date for the election. They are also posting fake Susan Crawford ads on Facebook that suggest she is soft on crime (not true of the former prosecutor). Just a few days ago, Musk began to offer $100 to any voter who signs a petition against “activist judges,” an attempt to identify conservative voters and prompt them to vote for Schimel.

The VIDEOS – a campaign ad and an interview with Judge Susan Crawford.

• Brad Schimel Is For Sale 

• Excerpt from Susan Crawford Interview (NOTE:  for complete WI PBS Interview, CLICK HERE)

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Take Immediate ACTION:

• Donate directly to Judge Crawford through our partner—Boston’s Swing Blue Alliance: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cfwswingbluealliance

• Phonebank for Judge Crawford with Swing Blue: https://www.mobilize.us/swingbluealliance/event/751041/

• Phonebank for Judge Crawford with Wisconsin Dems: https://www.mobilize.us/wisdems/event/749814/

For more information about Susan Crawford, CLICK HERE.

Week of 3/16/2025:  

This week we need to be in touch with our own representatives and with the Democratic leadership in both the House and Senate to let them know they must keep Musk OUT of Social Security! And let’s make an especially big effort this week to reach out to just one friend/family member who has a Republican rep or senator and get them to call them with the messages below.

One out every five Americans receives Social Security benefits. Another 183 million, 50+ percent of all Americans, are paying into the program, expecting that the system will be there to cover them as they grow old or become unable to work.  We can’t let Musk and his DOGE boys rip this minimal assurance away from 70+ percent of all Americans. 

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Hello Senator/Congressperson .................,

My name is .................. from [your hometown].

If Democratic Senator or Rep — I am calling on you to ensure that Social Security remains reliable and strong — for me and for my children, and their children. This year marks Social Security’s 90th anniversary, a milestone that reflects decades of hard work and contributions by Americans like me. Yet the richest man in America is seeking to lay waste to the entire Social Security Administration, and in the process undermine the financial security of most Americans. I expect Congress to do its part to protect and strengthen Social Security so it remains secure right now and for future generations.

We are counting on you to protect our Social Security.

If Republican Senator or Rep — I have paid into Social Security my entire working life with the promise that it would be there when I needed it. But lately, senior Republican officials are making disparaging remarks about the program. Mr. Musk has called it a “ponzi scheme.” The richest man in America is seeking to lay waste to a system that is essential to the financial security of most Americans. I’m hearing about plans to fire 7,000 employees.  I’m seeing too many reports about long wait times. You have a responsibility to protect Social Security for your constituents like me who depend on it.

Social Security has been a lifeline for generations of Americans, and it must remain strong for those who rely on it today and for the generations to come. We are counting on you to protect our Social Security.

Thank you.

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Following are the phone numbers for elected officials in our area. all of whom are Democrats. 

Senators:

• Ed Markey (D): (202) 224-2742 (DC Office); (617) 565-8519 (Boston Office)

• Elizabeth Warren (D): (202) 224-4543 (DC Office); (617) 565-3170 (Boston Office)

Congressional Representatives:

• Seth Moulton (D): (202) 225-8020 (DC Office); (978) 531-1669 (Salem Office)

• Katherine Clark (D): (202) 225-2836 (DC Office); (617) 354-0292 (Malden Office) 

• Lori Trahan (D): (202) 225-3411 (DC Office): (978) 459-0101 (Lowell Office)

For other Senators and Representatives, CLICK HERE for contact info.

Week of 3/9/2025:  

This week we are asking you to call your Senators and Reps and ask them to oppose the Republican “Budget Patch”, which would fund the government through September. This stopgap spending proposal increases funding for the Department of Defense and ICE deportations, while cutting even more than was originally proposed for non-defense programs.   

Seven Democratic Senators will be needed to pass the bill and prevent a government shutdown. But the bill would eliminate $890 million in grants for health care facilities and equipment; eliminate $293 million for FEMA (with no aid for California wildfires or North Carolina hurricanes); eliminate $116 million from the Small Business Administration; eliminate $107 million from workforce development; and cut an additional $40 million from programs that support families and children.

Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) says the funding patch is a “power grab for the White House,” and warned that the bill would allow Trump and Musk to “steal from the American people.”

Democrats cannot vote for a vaguely worded spending bill that turns budget decision-making over to Musk and his damaging and haphazard hackers. It is illegal and unconstitutional.

You may also want to add an invitation to have a Town Hall here on the North Shore so we can let our representatives know how the wholesale destruction of our government is hurting us, and we can thank them for holding the line against all the harm Republicans are doing to working families.

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Hello Senator/Congressperson .................,

My name is .................. from [your hometown].

If Democratic Senator or Rep – I remain concerned about this Administration’s reckless, ill-considered cutting of programs already approved by Congress.  Please send the Republicans a message by refusing to vote for the “Budget Patch” unless it fully funds the government at current levels, stops Musk’s haphazard hacking, and provides strong support for Congress’ authority over the budget. Tell the Republicans to shut down Musk, NOT the government!

If Republican Senator or Rep – I am outraged by Elon Musk’s reckless, ill-considered cutting of programs already approved by Congress.  I expect you to fight for your constituents who depend on these programs. Please work with your colleagues to pass a Continuing Resolution that fully funds the government at current levels, stops Musk’s haphazard hacking, and provides strong support for Congress’ authority over the budget. Shut down Musk, NOT the government!

[Add a personal story if you use Medicare, Medicaid (pays for nursing home care as well as healthcare for low-income Americans), or SNAP or know someone who will be personally affected].

Thank you.

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Following are the phone numbers for elected officials in our area. all of whom are Democrats. 

Senators:

• Ed Markey (D): (202) 224-2742 (DC Office); (617) 565-8519 (Boston Office)

• Elizabeth Warren (D): (202) 224-4543 (DC Office); (617) 565-3170 (Boston Office)

Congressional Representatives:

• Seth Moulton (D): (202) 225-8020 (DC Office); (978) 531-1669 (Salem Office)

• Katherine Clark (D): (202) 225-2836 (DC Office); (617) 354-0292 (Malden Office) 

• Lori Trahan (D): (202) 225-3411 (DC Office): (978) 459-0101 (Lowell Office)

For other Senators and Representatives, CLICK HERE for contact info.

Week of 3/2/2025:  

This week we are asking our members to call their Reps and Senators to express opposition to this Billionaire Give-Away Budget Resolution (see scripts below).

You may have even greater influence if your representative serves on one of the key House Committees slated for extreme budget slashing.

U.S. Representatives from Massachusetts on:

• Congressional Leadership:  Katherine Clark  Other Congressional Leadership

•  Energy & Commerce: Lori Trahan & Jake Auchincloss  Other Committee Members

•  Education & Workforce: no Reps from MA  All Committee Members

•  Agriculture: James McGovern  Other Committee Members

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Hello Congressperson .................,

My name is .................. from [your hometown].

If Democratic Rep – Thank you for voting against the budget resolution. Please continue to stand firm against any budget that guts Medicaid and/or Medicare or SNAP benefits. Do everything you can to get one or more of your Republican colleagues to vote NO to robbing the American people to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.

If Republican Rep – I am outraged that you voted for a budget resolution that will wind up ripping food and healthcare from millions of Americans AND increase the deficit, all to benefit billionaires. I expect you to fight for your constituents who depend on these programs. [Add a personal story if you use Medicare, Medicaid (pays for nursing home care as well as healthcare for low-income Americans), or SNAP or know someone who will be personally affected].

Thank you.

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Hello Senator .................,

My name is .................. from [your hometown].

I am outraged that the House voted for a budget resolution that will wind up ripping food and healthcare from millions of Americans AND increase the deficit, all to benefit billionaires. I expect you to fight for your constituents who depend on these programs and ask that you convince your fellow Senators to defeat these cruel cuts. [Add a personal story if you use Medicare, Medicaid (pays for nursing home care as well as healthcare for low-income Americans), or SNAP or know someone who will be personally affected].

Thank you.

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Following are the phone numbers for elected officials in our area.

Senators:

• Ed Markey: (202) 224-2742 (DC Office); (617) 565-8519 (Boston Office)

• Elizabeth Warren: (202) 224-4543 (DC Office); (617) 565-3170 (Boston Office)

Congressional Representatives:

• Seth Moulton: (202) 225-8020 (DC Office); (978) 531-1669 (Salem Office)

• Katherine Clark: (202) 225-2836 (DC Office); (617) 354-0292 (Malden Office) 

• Lori Trahan: (202) 225-3411 (DC Office): (978) 459-0101 (Lowell Office)

For other Senators and Representatives, CLICK HERE for contact info.

Week of 2/23/2025:  

This week we are asking our members to call their Senators and Congressperson (see sample script below) to demand that Congress take immediate action to break-up Elon Musk's monopolistic hold on the satellite industry.  Starlink must be split-up to allow competition in the satellite communications space and prevent one company (and one man) to dictate how the world communicates. 

Following are the phone numbers for elected officials in our area.

Senators:

• Ed Markey: (202) 224-2742 (DC Office); (617) 565-8519 (Boston Office)

• Elizabeth Warren: (202) 224-4543 (DC Office); (617) 565-3170 (Boston Office)

Congressional Representatives:

• Seth Moulton: (202) 225-8020 (DC Office); (978) 531-1669 (Salem Office)

• Katherine Clark: (202) 225-2836 (DC Office); (617) 354-0292 (Malden Office) 

• Lori Trahan: (202) 225-3411 (DC Office): (978) 459-0101 (Lowell Office)

For other Senators and Representatives, CLICK HERE for contact info. 

Hello Senator/Congressperson .................,

My name is .................. from [your hometown].  

I’m calling because Elon Musk is a walking conflict of interest. He needs to be removed from his government role, and Congress should move to break up the Starlink monopoly, which owns 2/3 of communication satellites. Citizen Musk has far too much power over our communications, especially when he is acting on behalf of the government. He is in a position to directly infringe on our constitutional right to free speech.

Protect our freedom of speech by breaking up the Starlink monopoly and preventing Elon Musk from dictating how each and every one of us communicates.  Thank you.

Week of 2/16/2025:  

This week we are asking our members to call their Senators and Congressperson (see sample script below) to demand that they stop Elon Musk and his DOGE engineers from illegally blocking USAID and restoring the personnel necessary to resume services. 

Following are the phone numbers for elected officials in our area.

Senators:

• Ed Markey: (202) 224-2742 (DC Office); (617) 565-8519 (Boston Office)

• Elizabeth Warren: (202) 224-4543 (DC Office); (617) 565-3170 (Boston Office)

Congressional Representatives:

• Seth Moulton: (202) 225-8020 (DC Office); (978) 531-1669 (Salem Office)

• Katherine Clark: (202) 225-2836 (DC Office); (617) 354-0292 (Malden Office) 

• Lori Trahan: (202) 225-3411 (DC Office): (978) 459-0101 (Lowell Office)

For other Senators and Representatives, CLICK HERE for contact info. 

Hello Senator/Congressperson .................,

My name is .................. from [your hometown].  

I’m furious that Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire is overthrowing long-standing programs created by Congress to help our farmers while providing food to millions of hungry families. He claims there is fraud and waste but has provided no evidence of this. 

I depend on the government [...give a personal example, if you like, of how you depend on government funding...] and worry that Musk's whims may destroy things I count on.

Stop this illegal power grab by the world's richest man. I want you, Senator/Congressperson ................., to reassert your exclusive authority over our tax dollars and to do whatever it takes to get Musk out of there, including halting all Congressional activity until he steps down. 

Protect our taxpayer dollars—and our constitution—at all costs. Thank you.