Even though Trump 'won' the trifecta, control of both houses and the Presidency, they are relatively small margins. Six seats max: Senate 53 GOP and 47 Dem and the House is 220 GOP versus 214 Dem with a handful of races still too close to call.
This is not an unsurmountable control... as we have some GOP wildcards, like Lisa Murkowski AK-R and Susan Collins ME-R who have voted with the democrats on a number of occasions, narrowing the margin to 4 in the Senate.
The ability to influence the legislators on key issues IS WITHIN OUR REACH! If Trump actually implements his campaign promises of mass deportation and 25% tariffs to name a few, the public outcry will become intolerable, the GOP will not be able to defend these draconian measures, and will be forced to adopt bipartisan legislation to retain their elected office.
While the focus of this blog is mainly geared for the federal level, the tools we describe can be used on the State Level as well.
This is where you..... Jane and John Q. Public step up to the plate. We all must let our legislators know when we are not happy with what is happening in DC. While Matt Gaetz was a horrific cabinet pick..... it never gained any traction because of the public saying NO!
There are 18 GOP Senators who are up for re-election in 2026, traditionaly Presidental party controls of the House and or Senate slips or is lost in the midterms. [Joe Biden's midterms was the exception]. We need to target these seats heavily.
Take the time NOW to call your senators at 202-224-3121 to let them know how you feel about Trump 2.0 cabinet picks. At the bottom of this blog we will post the all the names of who has been nominated thus far. You can use the meme above to post on their social media pages, as well as any other SM platform you participate on.... drum up interest & activism within your own social spheres! Be Bold.... Tell them you will not vote for them if they confirm Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense <as well as any other nominee you may object with! State Level Legislation The tools below can be used on the state level as well
With the advent of AI technology and Chat Bots, lobbying has become much easier! Calling your elected official is always the gold standard when trying to influence their votes. V4C knows that not everyone has the time to make a call, and others may be intimidated with the thought of talking with a legislator.
Here are some other options....pick one you are most comfortable with and do it today for your Country!
Resistbot is an AI Chatbot that operates utilizing SMS Text, Instant Messenger, or Apple Messages. Resistbot chatbot responds when you text one of their keywords to 5049.
You can text a Bill # or a hyperlink to an online article covering an issue you want to lobby about.
In this example we chose an article about HR 9495, a bill that if passed, would give Trump unilateral power to block non-profits of his choice. You text by typing COPILOT followed by the link to the article. Using Instant Messenger the link entered displays the article you picked (right).
Below, you see Resistbot texts back that it received your link... then asks you about your position on the topic and a few words about why you oppose it.
We chose this method versus the bill number because the AI bot letter returned by texting HR 9495, did not adequately capture the negativity of this legislation.
The Chatbot uses what you entered in the subject and weaves it into the text of your email.
Resistbot reviews the article, then using AI, it drafts a response that will be emailed to your legislator upon your approval.
It shows you a preview of the letter (right) that you can click on to read easier to determine if you are OK with what it wrote.
You are then prompted to reply with any changes... or text back GOOD if it is OK as is.
Optionally you can to allow them to post your letter on the website.
Next, you have a choice on how to send this letter to your legislator. Emails are free, FAX and USPS snail mail letters require a Premium acount you pay $7/month. Use the link to learn more.
After you have sent off your email, Resistbot will ask you if you want to invite others from your contact list to send a similar letter to thier legislators. In FB messenger it opens the list of your friends and you chose all or select specific friends to send the invite to the left to them. You can add a brief message to explain what to do.
Notice that your words entered earlier "it will stifel free speech' are utilized on your invite.
Petitions are also available
Sign a petition, and Resistbot will send a copy instantly to your officials, or create your own in minutes! See the Resistbot open letters for all published letters. You can search existing petitions by entering a topic or you can search for existing petitions by clicking on your state.
From the Website's "How" page, aka FAQ's....Will my message count?
Yes! According to Kathryn Schultz of the New Yorker:
Contrary to popular opinion… written communications are an effective way of communicating with Congress, as are their electronic kin. “Everything is read, every call and voice mail is listened to,” Isaiah Akin, the deputy legislative director for Oregon’s Senator Ron Wyden, told me. “We don’t discriminate when it comes to phone versus e-mail versus letter.” As it turns out, some less egalitarian offices do discriminate, but not in the direction you might expect. According to a 2015 C.M.F. survey of almost two hundred senior congressional staffers, when it comes to influencing a lawmaker’s opinion, personalized e-mails, personalized letters, and editorials in local newspapers all beat out the telephone.
Is it safe?
V4C cannot verify whether Resistbot is safe, it is incumbent on the user to review Resistbot.org privacy statements and policies to determine your own level of comfort in using this method to contact your legislators.
With that being said they have a compelling story... read more here.
Resistbot is a product of the Resistbot Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization. Per the webpage it is 'The easiest and quickest way to hold your officials accountable since 2017'.
Per the website:
'5 Calls makes it easy for you to reach your members of Congress and make your voice heard.
We research issues, write scripts that clearly articulate a progressive position, figure out the most influential decision-makers, and collect phone numbers for their offices.
All you have to do is call.'
How it works
You can get to 5calls two ways; open your browser on your phone and enter 5calls.org or you can down load the free app on your phone. Navigate to 5Calls then...
Enter your location.
Based on the address or if allowed, the app can use your present location will be used to figure out who you need to call. If your ZIP code is in more than one Congressional district they will show their best guess for your representative. Use an address or cross streets to more accurately locate you.
5Calls states your location stays private and they don't store it and never sell data to third parties.
V4C cannot verify whether 5Calls is safe, it is incumbent on the user to review 5Calls privacy statements and policies to determine your own level of comfort in using this method to contact your legislators.
Choose an issue you care about.
You can select from a list of progressive topics based upon your place of residence. They update the list regularly as legislation develops and remove topics as soon as they're no longer relevant.
When you select your topic, 5Calls then displays a summary of background information on your topic. It also includes links to further reading, to help prep you to make the call.
Here is a sample portion of the info returned on the selecetd topic.
Who to call?
5Calls tells you who to call for your chosen issue, from Representatives and Senators to Governors and Attorneys General based on the location you entered previously.
You simply choose the official and then select what office location you desire to call.
Before clicking on the phone # to start the call, scroll down within the app to preview a script of what to say on the call.
Click on the phone number and the call is made from your cell phone.
Make your call
Click on the phone call then scroll down to the script provided. The script is short, sweet, and to the point! You need not say any more.
Thank the legislator for their time & consideration....just like your parents taught you.
Don't be discouraged if you get voicemail.... all messages are listened to and logged as to the issue and the constituents position. It won't be tallied unless you leave your full street address.
If you can’t get through, call their local offices.Your senators will have a few local offices. Since they represent your entire state, it doesn’t matter which one you call, even if it’s far away from you.
What if I really don't like talking on the phone?
Calling on evenings and weekends with the intent of leaving a voicemail is still a great way to make your voice heard. Congressional offices are usually open during normal business hours in their local time zone.
Once you mark the result of your call, 5calls will show you the next person’s number.
Lobbying by letting your voice heard cannot be any easier. Early on in my career as a perioperative nurse, I lobbied on a variety of healthcare legislation on the state and federal levels. Face to Face meetings with legislators or staffers was the most effective way to sell your position, followed by USPS letters, and lastly a phone call. Post Jan 6th, access to federal legislators or staff is by appointment only, unfortunately limiting access to our elected officials.
Both Resistbot and 5Calls boast impressive statistics regarding the effectiveness of their respective platforms, along with compelling stories on their impact. When measuring lobbying efficacy, it is all about the numbers. Having easier alternative approaches to engage with our elected officials increases our ability to achieve the impressive numbers we need to reclaim our democracy.
'My fellow Americans, ask not what your Country can do for you, Ask what you can do for your Country! ' John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address January 21, 1961
Make a call, send an email, or write a letter TODAY! Trump 2.0 Cabinet Picks thus far (As of Nov 30, 2024 8:09 pm)
CBS News: Kathryn Watson & Caitlin Yilek
White House chief of staff: Susie Wiles
Secretary of state: Marco Rubio
Attorney general: Pam Bondi (after Matt Gaetz withdrew)
Deputy attorney general: Todd Blanche
HHS secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought
U.N. ambassador: Elise Stefanik
"Border czar": Tom Homan
Defense secretary: Pete Hegseth
Secretary of veterans affairs: Doug Collins
National security adviser: Michael Waltz
Interior secretary: Doug Burgum
Secretary of energy: Chris Wright
Secretary of transportation: Sean Duffy
Secretary of commerce: Howard Lutnick
Secretary of education: Linda McMahon
Secretary of the treasury: Scott Bessent
Secretary of labor: Lori Chavez-DeRemer
White House counsel: William McGinley
U.S. Ambassador to NATO: Matthew Whitaker
Secretary of homeland security: Kristi Noem
HUD secretary: Scott Turner
CIA director: John Ratcliffe
Director of national intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard
EPA administrator: Lee Zeldin
Solicitor general: Dean John Sauer
FDA commissioner: Marty Makary
Secretary of agriculture: Brooke Rollins
CDC Director: David Weldon
FCC chairman: Brendan Carr
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator: Dr. Mehmet Oz
Surgeon general: Dr. Janette Nesheiwat
U.S. ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee
U.S. ambassador to Canada: Pete Hoekstra
U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York: Jay Clayton
Department of Government Efficiency: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy
Deputy chief of staff: Dan Scavino
Deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser: Stephen Miller
Deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs: James Blair
Deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel: Taylor Budowich
Presidential Personnel Office head: Sergio Gor
White House communications director: Steven Cheung
White House press secretary: Karoline Leavitt
Domestic Policy Council director: Vince Haley
Secretary of the Navy: John Phelan
Director of the National Institutes of Health: Jay Bhattacharya
U.S. Trade Representative: Jamieson Greer
Deputy secretary of Health and Human Services: Jim O'Neill
Director of White House National Economic Council: Kevin Hassett
Assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia: Retired Gen. Keith Kellogg
U.S. ambassador to France: Charles Kushner
FBI director: Kash Patel
Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration: Chad Chroniste
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