Weekly Action

Use this page each week to launch your own weekly action! Take a stand for democratic principles and American ideals, and help us resist oppression, repression, oligarchy, and fascism.

We’re encouraging you to use the 5Calls App and contact your Congressmen at least once a week!

Not familiar with 5Calls? The app features scripts on various topics and makes it easier than ever to contact your elected officials!

Use 5Calls App Today!

PAST ACTIONS

MAY 26 – June 1

Weekly Action: Tell Senators to oppose efforts to curtail contempt of court enforcement

The House narrowly passed H.R. 1, with all Democrats and two Republicans voting against it. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration. Republicans tucked a provision into the bill, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” that will limit the authority of federal judges to hold U.S. government officials in contempt of court. This proposal would defund the enforcement of contempt of court citations issued against those who do not comply with the court’s injunctions or temporary restraining orders. The language of the provision is also retroactive, so it would cover orders issued before the bill is enacted. This provision is designed to limit the power of federal judges to hold government officials accountable.

U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Web: fetterman.senate.gov

U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R)
Phone: 202-224-6324
Web: mccormick.senate.gov

Script: Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP]. I’m calling to ask [SEN NAME] to oppose the House budget reconciliation bill that is heading to the Senate, and the provision that will limit the enforcement of contempt of court charges. This was included in the bill to allow the Trump administration to freely defy court orders and the Constitution, and no one is above the law in the United States. As a representative of the people who has sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution, I expect [SEN NAME] to protect the rule of law, not to help the administration break it. Thank you for your time!

NOTE: If leaving a voicemail, include your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

If you are not a Clinton County resident, use the “Find Your Members” portal to easily get all your representatives’ contact information at https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

Resources & Links

Sorry for the pause – we’re back!

MAY 5 – MAY 11

Weekly Action: Tell Congressman Thompson to reject cuts to SNAP

The budget reconciliation agreed to by both the House and the Senate reports cuts of $230 billion to agriculture programs, which critics say can only occur by severely cutting benefits for SNAP – Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (a.k.a. food stamps). Cuts to these benefits could also impact the farmers and dairy operations that supply products to these programs. The budget markup in the House of Representatives Ag committee is scheduled to begin today, May 5th. During the “markup” committee meeting, the committee’s members consider legislation and vote on whether to send it to the full House or Senate for a vote. This allows members to offer amendments modifying—i.e., “marking up”—the legislation. Glenn “GT” Thompson is the Chair and suggests that the cuts will be something less than the $230 billion, but that will depend on the committee’s amendments and votes.

Call or email Representative Thompson and tell him that cuts to SNAP, and other food assistance programs are an unacceptable way to provide tax cuts for billionaires. He needs to support assistance to low income families, his rural constituents, and farmers.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

Resources & Links

APRIL 28 – MAY 4

Weekly Action: Tell your Congressmen to stand up for Due Process in America

“If you accept that non-citizens have no right to due process, you are accepting that citizens have no right to due process. All the government has to do is claim that you are not a citizen; without due process you have no chance to prove the contrary.” – Timothy Snyder.

Despite the Supreme Court unanimously agreeing 9-0 that this Republican administration must return a man who was wrongly trafficked to a foreign labor prison, no action has taken place. This is sadly just one example wherein innocent people are being wrongfully detained and shipped away from the United States without due process, which is guaranteed to all people in the United States by the U.S. Constitution. If due process is denied to anyone without recourse, it can be denied to everyone without recourse. Call on your legislators to act now to uphold the Constitution and help enforce the right to due process in the United States.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Web: fetterman.senate.gov

U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R)
Phone: 202-224-6324
Web: mccormick.senate.gov

If you are not a Clinton County resident, use the “Find Your Members” portal to easily get all your representatives’ contact information at https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

Brief Script: Hello [REP/SEN NAME]. My name is [NAME], and I’m a constituent who resides at [ADDRESS, CITY, ZIP]. I’m calling to urge [REP/SEN NAME] to join Senator Van Hollen and work to rescue Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador. I also ask that you forcefully speak out against Trump’s unconstitutional plan to send US citizens, which he calls “homegrown criminals,” to a foreign prisons and hold the administration accountable for defying orders by the Supreme Court. If this administration is able to traffic an innocent man like Abrego Garcia to a foreign labor prison, they will be emboldened to do the same to others. This is unconstitutional and needs to stop. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Resources & Links

APRIL 7 – APRIL 13

Weekly Action: Tell your Legislators to vote NO on the SAVE Act

The U.S. House of Representatives may be voting on the SAVE Act this week (H.R. 8281, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act). Use 5calls app on your phone to tell GT Thompson to vote NO. You can also email or call his office directly.

Brief Script: Hello Congressman Thompson, I am asking you to vote NO to the proposed SAVE Act if it comes to the House floor for a vote because it is more likely to prevent legal voters from casting ballots than to prevent overwhelming fraud. We all agree that only U.S. citizens should vote, but studies show that election fraud is extremely rare. This Act has the potential to disenfranchise married women and other voters who have changed their names since birth. Although the proposed SAVE Act instructs states to establish a process for people whose legal name doesn’t match their birth certificate to provide additional documents, people who have changed their names may face difficulty when registering because of the bill’s ambiguity on acceptable documents. This is a slippery slope proposal, and I ask you to vote NO on the Save Act.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

If you are not a Clinton County resident, use the “Find Your Members” portal to easily get all your representatives’ contact information at https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

Resources & Links

MARCH 31 – APRIL 6

Weekly Action: Call on your Legislators to protect funding for Libraries and Museums

On March 14, Trump issued an executive order calling for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS). The announcement orders the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reject any and all funding requests, other than those needed to shut down the agency. According to the American Library Association (ALA), “The Executive Order does not directly eliminate the agency entirely. That would clearly exceed executive authority, because IMLS is established by law. Instead, the Executive Order aims to move as far toward eliminating the agency as possible.” The Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) is the law that established IMLS, which was enacted in 1996 and has been reauthorized on a bipartisan basis several times since then – most recently in 2018 and signed into law by Trump. In FY24, the IMLS had a budget of $211 million and provided services to 1.2 billion people. “Libraries translate .003 percent of the federal budget into programs and services used by more than 1.2 billion people each year,” says the ALA. More than $5.5 million in funding for Pennsylvania libraries and museums could be at stake.

Call on your Congressman to tell them that libraries and museums are critical underpinnings to a free and educated electorate. Tell them to uphold the Museum and Library Services Act and protect the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Web: fetterman.senate.gov

U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R)
Phone: 202-224-6324
Web: mccormick.senate.gov

OTHER ACTIONS TO SUPPORT LIBRARIES & MUSEUMS

We need every library supporter to show up and make their voices heard. Here are concrete, effective actions you can take now:

Links & Resources

MARCH 24 – MARCH 30

Weekly Action: Call on your Legislators to save the Department of Education

Trump signed an executive order to “begin eliminating the Department of Education.” However, the Department of Education (DOE) cannot be dissolved without an act of Congress. When signing the order, Trump said federal Pell grants, Title I funding and resources for children with disabilities would be preserved and redistributed to other agencies and departments, but the full plan has not been announced and there are tremendous concerns about the ability for funding and resources to continue without unnecessary interruption of services. The DOE supports state and local education, promotes educational equity, and provides grants and loans for higher education. Key functions are at threat, including oversight of the federal student loan portfolio, civil rights enforcement in schools, and the distribution of funding to help impoverished and disabled students.

Call your Representative and Senators to tell them to save the Department of Education.

Use the 5Calls app or reach out to the Congressmen’s offices directly!

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Web: fetterman.senate.gov

U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R)
Phone: 202-224-6324
Web: mccormick.senate.gov

Links & Resources

MARCH 17 – MARCH 23

Weekly Action: Contact your Legislators about the attack on the Department of Education

Last week, it was announced that nearly 50% of staff at the Department of Education (DOE) would be laid off. Concerns are growing that this, as well as other measures to dismantle the DOE, will have significant impacts for schools, teachers and learners. The DOE supports state and local education, promotes educational equity, and provides grants and loans for higher education. Funding and staffing issues could lead to teachers no longer receiving training, particularly related to programs for teachers of special needs, marginalized and multilingual students; disruptions to grants and funding; and more. In addition to the impacts that these cuts could have, DOE employees have said that these cuts could lead to more waste and abuse as the watchdogs who held schools accountable will be let go, opening the door to predatory behavior.

Although Trump and his new Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, want to shut down the DOE, it requires action by Congress. Call your Representative and Senators to tell them to protect the DOE.

Use the 5Calls app or reach out to the Congressmen’s offices directly!

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Web: fetterman.senate.gov

U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R)
Phone: 202-224-6324
Web: mccormick.senate.gov

Resources & Links

MARCH 10 – MARCH 16

Weekly Action: Contact your Congressmen and tell them to protect Medicaid and CHIP

An analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that was sent to lawmakers this week showed that budget goals outlined in a House GOP plan could not be reached without reducing spending on Medicaid, clashing with commitments from Republicans not to cut the popular entitlement program. Medicaid and CHIP are programs that help provide health insurance for adults and children with limited income and resources, including foster kids, people with disabilities, and more than 60% of nursing home residents. The Republican House spending framework that was advanced in late February could eliminate coverage for 15.9 million people who depend on Medicaid and CHIP, including approximately 56,000 people here in Glenn Thompson’s district. Up to $1.94 billion in funding is also projected to be lost for PA 15. This is not fighting for PA 15 and our rural communities.

Tell your Congressmen to protect Medicaid and CHIP. Tell them to stop prioritizing tax breaks for the rich at the expense of the most vulnerable in our communities.

Use the 5Calls app or reach out to the Congressmen’s offices directly!

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Web: fetterman.senate.gov

U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R)
Phone: 202-224-6324
Web: mccormick.senate.gov

If you do not live in Clinton County, PA: Use the Congressmen Lookup Tool to find your legislators’ contact information: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Resources & Links

MARCH 3 – MARCH 9

Weekly Action: Tell your Congressman to say NO to the SAVE Act

The U.S. House of Representatives will be voting on the SAVE Act this week (H.R. 8281, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act). Use 5calls app on your phone to tell GT Thompson to vote NO. You can also email or call his office directly.

Brief Script: Hello Congressman Thompson, I am asking you to vote no to the proposed SAVE Act because it is more likely to prevent legal voters from casting ballots than to prevent overwhelming fraud. We all agree that only U.S. citizens should vote, but studies show that election fraud is very rare. This Act has the potential to disenfranchise married women and other voters who have changed their names since birth. Although the proposed SAVE Act instructs states to establish a process for people whose legal name doesn’t match their birth certificate to provide additional documents, people who have changed their names may face difficulty when registering because of the bill’s ambiguity on acceptable documents. This is a slippery slope proposal, and I ask you to vote NO on the Save Act.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

Resources & Links

FEBRUARY 24 – MARCH 2

Weekly Action: Leverage 5 Calls to make Legislative Outreach on Issues Easier

Advocacy can feel daunting, but we have to make our voices heard. If we do not speak up for the things that we care about, they are at risk of being taken away. 5 Calls makes it easy for you to reach your members of Congress. You’ll find up-to-date info on the issues, progressive scripts that you can adapt, and contact info for the decision-makers. All you have to do is call, and follow the prompts on the app.

Learn more and get started at https://5calls.org/.

FEBRUARY 17 – FEBRUARY 23 (technically through March 11)

Weekly Action: Sign and Help Circulate Democratic Candidates’ Petitions to be on the Primary Ballot

Did you know that, depending on the office they are running for, candidates must first secure anywhere from 10-1,000 signatures from constituents in order to get on the ballot? All the signatures must be collected between February 18 and March 11 this year. Several events are planned to make it easy for you to sign many candidates’ petitions in one location!

Please join us for an upcoming event, or reach out to learn how you can sign Democrats’ petitions or volunteer to help them get more signatures.

CCDC will facilitate petition delivery to Harrisburg for local candidates. They must be received by Tuesday, March 4.

FIND UPCOMING PETITION SIGNING EVENTS HERE or CONTACT US USING THE FORM BELOW TO HELP CIRCULATE PETITIONS.

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FEBRUARY 10 – FEBRUARY 16

Weekly Action: Contact Your Congressmen about JD Vance’s Attack on Checks and Balances

After U.S. judges issued rulings temporarily blocking some of Donald Trump’s most contentious executive orders, Vice President JD Vance claimed over the weekend that judges have no legal right to restrain the president’s “legitimate power” and compared it to telling a military commander how to act on the battlefield. However, Article III of the U.S. Constitution outlines an authority called “judicial review,” which gives federal judges the authority to rule on cases involving the president, as well as other branches of government.

Brief Script: Dear <Senator / Congressman __________ >, stand up for the U.S. Constitution by condemning the recent dangerous comments of Vice President JD Vance that suggest federal judges do not have the authority for judicial review, which is granted to them in the Constitution. Please speak out against this kind of rhetoric, which threatens critical Checks and Balances as well as the broader respect for the rule of law in this country.

[For senators only] Vote no on all of Trump’s nominees until his administration begins working within our laws and systems.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Web: fetterman.senate.gov

U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R)
Phone: 202-224-6324
Web: mccormick.senate.gov

Background links:

FEBRUARY 3 – FEBRUARY 9

Weekly Action: Contact Your Congressmen about Musk’s Concerning Activities

Elon Musk, under the guise of the “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),” is reportedly pushing for access to sensitive payment systems in the Treasury Department. This opens up closely secured systems that control payments to millions of Americans, including those for Social Security, Medicare and tax refunds, as well as public contractors, some of whom may compete directly with Musk’s own business enterprises and the nonprofits who may have been targeted in the first budget freeze memo.

Brief Script: Dear <Senator / Congressman __________ >, I urge you to call upon your peers in Congress to investigate why Elon Musk is seeking access to sensitive payment systems in the Treasury Department and ask for an immediate injunction on his activities until the investigation is completed. His actions pose a serious threat to the American people due to the programs that could be impacted if he attempts to stop payments. In addition, the free and fair market is at risk when the world’s richest man creates for himself a competitive advantage based on his proximity to the President. Vote no on all of Trump’s nominees until this overreach stops.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN GLENN THOMPSON (R)
Phone: 202-225-3731
Web: thompson.house.gov

U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Web: fetterman.senate.gov

U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R)
Phone: 202-224-6324
Web: mccormick.senate.gov

Background links:

JANUARY 27 – JANUARY 31 (UPDATED*)

Weekly Action: Call Your Senator to vote NO on Trump’s Radical Nominees

The U.S. Senate held hearings recently on Trump’s nominations for several posts. They have not made final decisions on all posts – so there is still time to call and voice concerns!

See who has already been confirmed here.

Click the names below to learn more about the nominees and their potential conflicts of interest and past.

CALL YOUR SENATORS

Call your two senators, or write to them via their websites. Ask them to vote NO to the nominees!

  • Call or write separately for each of the eight nominees, if possible! This would be a total of 16 calls (8 nominees, two senators). They do not have to be made back to back!
  • Provide your name, county and zip code to ensure your request is tallied.
  • If you call after hours, you can leave a brief voice mail.

U.S. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Web: fetterman.senate.gov

U.S. SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R)
Phone: 202-224-6324
Web: mccormick.senate.gov

Brief Script: I am calling to ask Senator (Fetterman / McCormick) to vote NO on the confirmation of (person’s name) for (position). Thank you!

SHARE AND ASK OTHERS TO CALL

Share information about the hearings. If you know others who share similar view points, ask them to make a simple call too. The more that our representatives hear from voters, the better!

OTHER RESOURCES

Check out our new Resources page and this article for more ideas on how to resist.