Okay, it’s been a good week for Progressives and Democrats. But a lot of work needs doing before November elections — in 12 weeks!!!!! First, if you haven’t made your calls to your Members of Congress, hit the links below. Second, join Indivisible Oregon or any other activist group, and get to work. It looks good at the moment but . . . It is still imperative for our Members of Congress to continue hearing from us—about passing the Inflation Reduction Act in the House, reforming the social security system so all Americans can retire with dignity now and in the future, and legislatively tackling other problems facing Americans.

Last week, Kansans sent a clear message: abortion rights are not up for debate. In the first state referendum on reproductive freedom since Dobbs, we learned a critical lesson. Abortion rights mobilize voters in every state including the deep red. This is the path to a midterm blowout.

In today’s 50-50 Senate, where 60 votes control almost everything, the rules allow for only one shot at reconciliation which can pass with a simple majority. Republicans have blocked every helpful bill to come out of the House, but they couldn’t stop this one. The House and the President still need to sign off, which is expected by the weekend. This legislation shows that Democrats work for the people. 

Finally, the tide seems to be turning in the Democrats’ favor. The Supreme Court’s disastrous opinions, revelations of the January 6 Committee, and the possibility of a bill allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices and attacking global have clearly been having an effect on the electorate. But the biggest jolt came Tuesday evening when Kansans voted overwhelmingly to keep the right to abortion in their Constitution, opening up an effective line of attack against MAGA Republicans in Congress and state legislatures bent on making women second-class citizens with no rights to control their health care decisions.

Nevertheless, it is still imperative for our Members of Congress to continue hearing from us. They also must be told over and over again that they need to stay in Washington to pass the Democrats’ agenda and confirm all the judges and executive officers President Biden has nominated. So, get on the phone, make a call, and do your part to preserve democracy.

Democrats have produced a reconciliation bill with billions for climate and health care, while imposing a mandatory tax on US companies. But all 50 Democrats, plus Vice President Harris, must approve it. It has a complicated road ahead and could be derailed by maverick Dem. Kyrsten Sinemia. Too much work lies ahead to send Senators home now.

West Virginia coal country senator, Democrat Joe Manchin, has single-handedly revived hopes for a Democratic budget bill. The Senate draft budget has many beneficiaries, but its most significant provisions target global warming and pharmaceutical pricing. But to pass the Senate, all 50 Democrats will have to vote aye.

Republican politicians tell their voters that they should be scared, and they use that fear to further divide the country. Democratic politicians, on the other hand, are trying to pass legislation that would help all Americans - making it easier to vote, legalizing abortion across the country, passing reasonable gun restrictions, and trying to pull us back from the brink of climate disaster. A majority of Americans want these things, but Republican politicians block them every time.

TONIGHT: LISTEN OR WATCH THE “FINAL” JANUARY 6 HEARING. IT BEGINS AT 5 PM PACIFIC TIME.

The recent rulings from the MAGA Supreme Court, now packed with Trump’s justices, have announced a new era of judicial activism. The conservatives jettisoned abortion, took away the EPA’s cimate change authority, and undermined New York’s power to legislate gun safety. And these MAGA justices have their eyes on more cases that will solidify conservative policies in American life. Startled, Democrats have started to fight back, flooding Congress (especially the Senate) with blockbuster donations.