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What We Need From Democrats Right Now
On Thursday, ten Democrats joined House Republicans in censuring Rep. Al Green for his civil disobedience during Trump's address to Congress. A reminder: censure has historically been used for serious misconduct like fraud, bribery, or assaulting fellow members—not for an act of protest. The Democrats who sided with Republicans in this vote were Ami Bera (CA), Ed Case (HI), Jim Costa (CA), Laura Gillen (NY), Jim Himes (CT), Chrissy Houlahan (PA), Marcy Kaptur (OH), Jared Moskowitz (FL), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA), and Tom Suozzi (NY). These Democrats chose to draw the line at a man with a cane protesting the harm befalling Americans. They became part of this political stunt by Republicans, further propping up a 34-time convicted felon—not a leader—Donald Trump. This is a man who is an insurrectionist, fraud, traitor, wife cheater, slanderer, serial liar, sexual abuser, mocker of people with disabilities, and someone who insults our troops.
Some Democrats in the Senate have also been complicit in confirming Trump's dangerous nominees. Many voted to confirm Marco Rubio, who now does nothing as Trump alienates our allies and aligns with Putin. Fifteen Senate Democrats confirmed a Treasury Secretary who has allowed Elon Musk to exploit private data with zero accountability. We need Democrats to fight back, not enable corruption.
Here is what we need to see from every Democrat right now
Democrats must unite to fight for us in Congress and join us in the streets. They must denounce harmful corporations, block bills that threaten our rights, and use every procedural tool to protect democracy. They should be issuing statements, providing daily updates on all social media channels (except X), and sending weekly newsletters to keep the public informed. Silence is complicity, and we won't accept it.
Here is what we need to see from we, the people
Some people demand Democrats "just impeach" or "just stop a bill." But in reality, Democrats don't have the votes in Congress to do so. As Rep. Maxwell Frost put it: "We might have a few fewer seats in Congress, but we're not going to be the minority. We're going to be the opposition." We must recognize this reality and focus on strategic opposition rather than impossible demands.
We're all frustrated, and performative moves like censuring Al Green are distractions that do nothing to help. But we, the people, are more powerful than Congress itself. If we want real progress, we must act. I'm afraid we have only a few months left to fight for freedom over fascism. Without massive public pressure, authoritarian rule could be just around the corner.
We are just a few months away from living under a dictator unless we rise up to protect our families and communities, our rights, freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law.
We need to mobilize millions in the coming weeks to save democracy. We must demand that Congress:
Reject cuts to essential programs
Block the illegal use of our data by Elon Musk and DOGE
Stop the abuse of power and lack of oversight by the President
Stop the unlawful impoundment of funds by the President
As Congress prepares for a tough budget fight, it's up to all of us to remind both Democrats and Republicans that they work for the people—not billionaires. They were elected to represent everyone in America and must champion progress and empower the people. If they fail to do so, we will work to elect leaders who truly represent the people's will.
Also, we need to remind them not to support rewarding anyone who has taken our nation hostage with a vote of support. We must advocate that no member of Congress vote for a budget that harms our families and communities.
● Checks and balances – Our constitution is built on checks and balances. Presidents cannot defy court orders they don’t like.
● Jobs and trust – The president must follow court orders that block him from firing officials or shutting down federal agencies. Americans aren’t just losing jobs in huge numbers – we’re losing a sense of trust in the government.
● Trump’s power grab -- The Trump administration refusing to follow court orders would be a dangerous power grab. What would stop future presidents – and anyone else – from ignoring the law?
Would You Do This to Your Own Family?
Democrats face a tough choice on the upcoming budget, but let's put this in personal terms.
If your family was struggling, would you hand over your hard-earned money to a relative who lies, cheats, and drains your resources?
Would you give your paycheck to someone who drives up the cost of housing, food, education, and healthcare—just to give bigger tax breaks to billionaires?
Would you trust your paycheck with someone who refuses to follow the rule of law, won’t protect your country, and abandons allies like Ukraine, Mexico, and Canada? Or someone who wants to bulldoze Gaza, displacing Palestinians to make way for luxury condos?
Would you hand over your paycheck to someone shutting down basic services, pushing to privatize education and healthcare, and allowing millions of Americans to lose their homes, jobs, and medical care?
Government is by and for the people, not billionaires.
So why should we accept a budget that puts billionaires first?
We should not, and neither should any member of Congress.
A Stronger Alternative: Force Republicans to Vote on Trump's Impoundments
Every single member of Congress should demand accountability and represent the will of the people.
They should require the Comptroller General—a nonpartisan, congressionally appointed official—to issue monthly reports on presidential impoundments of appropriated funds. Under current law, such reports trigger a mandatory congressional vote, meaning an impoundment is only legal if both the House and Senate approve it. This would force Republicans and Democrats to repeatedly go on the record about Trump's refusal to fund programs like essential programs like Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and more.
By repeatedly forcing Republicans to vote on Trump's unlawful impoundments and abuse of power, Democrats can highlight their hypocrisy and make them answer for their actions. Month after month, Republicans will have to publicly justify their role in defunding critical programs, exposing their complicity. Democrats must stand firm and refuse to let these abuses go unchecked.
What We the People Must Do
While Democrats must fight harder, the real power lies with us—the people. We cannot wait for politicians to act; we must take matters into our own hands to protect democracy. Here's how:
Flood Congressional Offices with Calls and Emails: Demand that your representatives reject cuts to essential programs, oppose the misuse of public funds, and push back against authoritarian policies.
Organize and Attend Protests: Our voices must be heard in the streets, from marches to sit-ins. Join or create local events that pressure lawmakers into action.
Boycott Corporations That Fund Oppression: Identify and stop supporting companies that bankroll politicians eroding democracy. Public pressure and economic resistance work.
Support Independent Journalism and Fact-Checking Organizations: Combat misinformation by funding credible news outlets and amplifying truth-based reporting.
Mobilize Voter Registration Drives: The fight isn't just about protest but power at the ballot box. Ensure every eligible voter is registered and ready to vote in local, state, and national elections.
Pressure Democrats to Go on the Offensive: They need to stop playing defense and take the fight directly to Trump and his enablers. We must push them to be more aggressive in their messaging and strategy.
Run for Office or Support Progressive Candidates: If we want better leadership, we must build it from the ground up. Support candidates who prioritize democracy, human rights, and economic justice.
Now is the time for unity, resistance, and relentless pressure. We need every Democrat fighting as if our democracy depends on it—because it does. But we, the people, must take up the mantle and ensure that democracy survives and thrives. If we do nothing, we will lose everything.
We must organize, mobilize, and refuse to let our democracy fall into the hands of a would-be dictator.
The fight for democracy is our fight.
I want to make it clear that whenever People Power United uses the word "fight" in our writings, posts, or spoken word, we mean fiercely advocate—never to incite or support violence. We do not condone any form of violence, nor do we advocate for breaking any laws.
Our commitment is to peaceful advocacy through the exercise of our constitutional rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, peaceful rallies, protests, and acts of civil disobedience. These are the tools we use to defend our rights, freedoms, the rule of law, and democracy.
And together, we will win. Because when we fight together, we win together.
Today’s Calls-to-Action
Click here to send a message to your member of Congress to reject cuts to essential programs and advocate for monthly reports from the Comptroller General to be voted on
Click here to sign the petition: Don’t Pass the GOP Tax Proposal
Click here to Become a grassroots co-sponsor of the Social Security Expansion Act
Click here to Reject the GOP’s Massive Cuts to Medicaid
Click here to join an Event
Click here to join your People Power State Team
Click here to write Letters and Postcards to Voters
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