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There are things we can do to help end this shutdown quickly -- and in a way that keeps healthcare costs down and reins in Trump. We’re in a government shutdown. Join the rapid response call tonight (8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT) to discuss the state of play and our next steps.
*This call will be recorded for those who can't join due to Yom Kippur or other obligations.
Indivisibles, we officially entered a Trump Shutdown last night.
We’re here because Republicans -- who control the White House and both chambers of Congress -- refuse to pass a funding plan to stop health insurance costs from doubling this winter. Democrats are rightfully fighting for a budget that prevents Trump’s massive healthcare cuts and price increases.
There are things we can do to help end this shutdown quickly -- and in a way that keeps healthcare costs down and reins in Trump. We share those at the end of this email.
We also realize that this is an unnerving and confusing time for many people, particularly federal workers, so we’ll do our best to explain what may happen next. Let’s start there.
What happens during a shutdown?
The Trump Shutdown is going to impact all of us. Day-to-day services/benefits like air travel, social security applications, and safety net programs could eventually see delays. National parks and other federal sites could close or slash their hours, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet.
And in the coming days, federal agencies must classify workers and operations as “essential” or “nonessential.” Essential workers keep working without pay throughout the shutdown, while nonessential workers get sent home. Both receive automatic backpay once the government reopens, though federal contractors do not.
The president has discretion over what is deemed essential, but a shutdown does not give the president any additional legal authority to fire federal workers. And contrary to online rumors, courts can still consider cases challenging the administration’s actions during a shutdown.
It’s also worth noting that Trump has spent this entire term firing historic numbers of federal workers and attempting to shutter entire departments -- working outside his legal authority to lead a sort of “rolling shutdown” since day one. That’s why federal workers have called on Democrats to hold the line even as Trump shuts down the government, declaring they'd “willingly forego paychecks in the hopes of preserving the programs we have devoted our lives to administering.”
There’s a lot that’s unknown or hard to predict, and we expect Trump and his cronies to test the boundaries or blow right past them, as they have all along. That’s why we need all hands on deck.
How does this end?
Trump and congressional Republicans control a federal government trifecta; they are responsible for ending the shutdown. Republicans must negotiate a bipartisan deal that delivers relief from the healthcare crisis they’re escalating and stops Trump from weaponizing our taxpayer dollars.
Democrats must stay focused on realistic, achievable goals for using their leverage. We can’t end fascism in one fell swoop, but we can reassert limits on Trump’s budget hijacking and save healthcare for millions of people.
Our viewpoint & goals
We’re disappointed to be facing a government shutdown and want it to end quickly. But Democrats cannot simply roll over and allow Trump to jack up our healthcare prices or keep lawlessly weaponizing our tax dollars.
We need to keep up the pressure until Republicans get serious about stopping the healthcare-cost crisis and reining in Trump. We do that by:
- Pushing congressional Republicans to negotiate a bipartisan deal that protects healthcare and denies Trump a blank check for his authoritarian wishlist
- Making sure our communities know that Republicans are responsible for rising costs, economic chaos, ripping away healthcare, and militarizing our communities
- Urging Democrats to stand strong and get loud in calling out Republicans’ attacks on working families, our economy, and our democracy
Republicans could end this Trump Shutdown TODAY by passing a deal that averts the massive spike in healthcare costs and takes away Trump’s blank checks. But they won’t do that unless we force them to.
What to do
We’re working with partners and activists nationwide to form a boots-on-the-ground response that keeps the pressure on congressional Republicans and stiffens Senate Democrats’ spines. You can learn how to plug into that work later today.
Join tonight’s all-hands call* with Public Citizen, WFP, MoveOn, and Fair Share America to discuss a unified, nationwide response to end the Trump Shutdown.
We also need to make sure our Members of Congress hear our demands loud and clear today. Here’s how you can make your voice heard right now:
We hope to see you on tonight’s call, and we look forward to fighting alongside you to rein in the regime, save healthcare, and end this Trump Shutdown soon.
In solidarity,
Indivisible Team
*We recognize that today is the holiest of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur. A recording of tonight’s call will be posted for those who cannot attend. Even if you cannot join, please register for tonight’s call to have the recording link sent directly to your inbox.
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