New York, NY — Today, over 80 Indivisible groups across New York City sent a letter to Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand, calling on them to leverage their power and block any funding deal that jeopardizes healthcare or fuels Trump’s lawlessness. The full text of the letter can be found here: Schumer / Gillibrand.
“Back in March, Schumer and Gillibrand surrendered to Republicans and gave up what limited leverage congressional Democrats had. Rank and file Democrats across the country were furious and called for new leadership. Headed into this second round, New York Democrats are clear that they want congressional Democratic leadership to do one simple thing: fight like hell.” said Ezra Levin, Indivisible’s Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director. “Democrats are looking for substantive leadership, not just performative gestures. This is a moment for Schumer, Jeffries, and the rest of the Democratic caucus to unify and use their leverage together. If they do, we will back them every step of the way. If they don’t, they won’t just further empower this authoritarian regime, they also risk fracturing the Democratic Party over their failed leadership. We’re urging our leaders to lead.“
In addition to the letter, Indivisibles across New York will be holding a statewide call-in day of action to Congress on Monday. These calls will be going to New York Democrats and Republicans in the House, and Schumer and Gillibrand in the Senate. Here are the call scripts: House Democrats, House Republicans, Senate Democrats. For more information on Indivisible’s program on the government funding fight, click here.
From the letters:
…“With the upcoming government shutdown deadline on September 30th, we write to urge you to reject business-as-usual tactics and fight like our democracy is on the line.
…“Indivisibles, and all New Yorkers, are looking to you to fight, draw clear red lines, and make clear that Democrats will use their leverage to shield the American people from the MAGA agenda of cruelty, hate, and harm.
…“If Democrats won’t take this opportunity to fight for our health care, any tough talk during the negotiations or heading into 2026 will ring hollow.
…“Specifically, we are calling on you to immediately publicly commit that you will oppose any funding bill that continues Trump’s healthcare cuts or funds his administration’s lawlessness. Your leadership role makes it even more critical that you model how Democrats should be fighting right now. We cannot afford another Democratic surrender.
…“If Republicans are not ready to work with Democrats in a bipartisan manner to protect healthcare and the rule of law by September 30th, we support keeping the government open with a short-term, clean continuing resolution so that bipartisan negotiations can continue. Whereas if Donald Trump asks Congress for a blank check or if House Republicans try to pass more MAGA spending cuts that were written on a partisan basis, Senate Democrats must not give them bipartisan cover. You must not repeat the mistakes that were made in March by granting Democratic votes for Republican legislation without getting anything in return.”
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