LEGISLATIVE CALLS TO ACTION -- October 1, 2025

Government Shutdown

from Jess Craven at Chop Wood Carry Water

...I want to make sure everyone here understands what’s happening with the budget fight. Because Democrats are finally doing what we’ve asked them to do and it’s important that we tell people about it. They’re throwing down and using the leverage they have to extract major concessions. This is what we’ve been asking for!

And almost no one knows it’s happening. So. What’s happening, exactly?

It’s pretty simple: the government runs out of funding on September 30 because Republicans have kicked the can down the road repeatedly, and the can rolls to a stop on that date. Congress needs to pass new legislation to keep the government coffers flowing. Republicans, however, can’t do this alone. They need seven Senate Democrats to vote with them to pass any spending package, as, unlike reconciliation bills, regular spending bills are subject to a filibuster.

What Democrats are trying to do is use the leverage they have—leverage that is extremely hard to come by these days—to extract concessions. They are saying, essentially, “we will vote to keep the government funded IF” Republicans: 

1. Restore the trillion dollars they just cut from Medicaid

2. Permanently extend the ACA premium tax cuts—thereby keeping healthcare premiums for 22 million Americans affordable

3. Restore funding to Public Broadcasting, which was cut using rescissions after it had been appropriated and

4. Put guardrails on Trump so he and Russel Vought can’t continue to cut funding that’s already been appropriated at will using “pocket rescissions.” This includes funding for things like the NIH, kids’ cancer research, and public education.

You can call our Indiana senators to share your thoughts on the government shutdown:

Jim Banks: (202) 224-4814

Todd Young: (202) 224-5623

Script:

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______. I want the Senate to accept Democrats’ demands and pass a spending bill that restores a trillion in funding to Medicaid, permanently extends the ACA premium tax credits, and puts guardrails on Trump and Vought so they can’t keep doing rescissions. Anything else is unacceptable. Thanks.

Additionally, if you would like to support congressional leadership:

Click here to send an email to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Click here to send an email to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

New Tariffs on Pharma

Trump announced - with a six day notice- that he is putting a 100% tariff on branded and patented Pharmaceuticals on October 1st, unless they are building a manufacturing plant in the US.

Again. These tariffs will NOT be paid by the pharmaceutical companies. They will be paid by US when we buy them. They are doubling in price. It is unknown how much of this increase will be paid for by pharmaceuticals or Medicare.

House Bills

Bill that we will be following that were introduced in the House this week:

(HR 5592) To prohibit the performance of gender-related medical treatment on minors, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to prohibit payment and participation under the Medicare program with respect to such treatment, and for other purposes.

Other bills and a resolution to watch - 

HR 5603 To limit the authority immigration officers have at protected emergency response locations.

US HR 5604 To amend titles 10 and 32, United States Code, to prohibit the use of a member of the Armed Forces to enforce the immigration laws. -- Last action: Sep 26, 2025, House: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

US HR 5609 To direct the National Institutes of Health to reinstate funding to recipients of grants or other awards, and for other purposes. -- Last action: Sep 26, 2025, House: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.- 

US HR 767 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that violent attacks against United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities and officers are unacceptable, must be fully condemned, and that Congress stands in support of ICE's mission to protect national security, public safety, and the enforcement of immigration laws. --Last action: Sep 26, 2025, House: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

(Follow these bills at Fast Democracy.com)

Redistricting in Indiana

Recently, Gov. Mike Braun (R) said the quiet part out loud: the Trump administration is trying to manipulate states to go through with his expensive, shameful election rigging plan, strong arming and bullying them into complying. 

Indiana is one of the most dependent states on federal funding. In fact, it is the third most-reliant, behind Louisiana and Mississippi. Could Indiana actually lose out on funding and federal support if we don't draw new Congressional maps as demanded by the Trump regime? It's possible; it seems that nothing is truly safe from Trump's scorched earth tactics. But this just underscores the importance of not complying. If we give in, we're enabling Trump's authoritarian power grab. If that happens, things won't let better for us. They'll just get worse. We must hold the line. 

The fact that Trump would exert pressure on Indiana in order to force Hoosiers' compliance is pure corruption; Gov. Braun's meek compliance would be shameful. We urge all Hoosiers to contact their legislators and remind them to stand strong in the face of this unjust political pressure. Over the next few weeks, Trump’s puppets within Indiana’s government will be pressuring our state lawmakers to support early redistricting. This shameless attempt to rig the 2026 elections by redrawing voting maps 6 years early is unpopular and undemocratic, and voters need to urge their lawmakers to stand strong against this political pressure.

Contact your State legislators:

MADVoters’ online tool at MADVoters.org/no-cheaters will guide you through calling or emailing statehouse officials to tell them, “No cheating in democracy!” Help us stand up to this shameless, destructive, and costly attack on democracy, and oppose MAGA’s early redistricting plot to rig the 2026 elections.