Americans for Democratic Action

The Senate will return to work next week and a key item on the Senate agenda will be the ICE and border patrol funding package. At stake in this package is over $70 billion for Trump's mass deportation and detention centers. This essentially is a $70 billion slush fund for ICE. Now is the time to push your Senators to vote NO on the blank check for ICE.

Click this link to tell your Senators to vote NO on the $70B ICE blank check!
bit.ly/49tjIOm

Republicans are scrambling to secure enough support to pass the bill. In fact, Thune was forced to delay the Senate vote because of a lack of support for including Trump’s proposed White House ballroom project.

Contact your Senators NOW! Tell them to vote NO on the $70B ICE blank check !
bit.ly/49tjIOm


We know what that money will buy. More detention warehouses. More black sites detention camps. All so that more families – more of OUR neighbors – will disappear into a system with no transparency and no oversight.

ICE has spent years expanding its capacity to terrorize communities, abuse people’s rights, and even kill American citizens in the process. Since Trump took office last year, more than 40 people have died in ICE custody, the most in such a short period of time. This budget bill would cement that infrastructure for the next three years with a blank check and zero strings attached, possibly bringing a new ICE detention center to an old warehouse in your state.

House and Senate Republicans are using budget reconciliation to try and pass this bill, a procedural maneuver designed specifically to bypass Democratic opposition.They know how unpopular ICE is, which is why they’re trying to rush this through on a party-line vote.

Click here to tell your Senators and Representative to vote NO on the $70B ICE blank check !
bit.ly/49tjIOm

Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it.
George Santayana

In this oft-repeated quote, Santayana makes no mention of those who deliberately try to erase it. That, however, is the hallmark of the current Administration and its enablers. In March, the President signed an executive order directing the Department of the Interior to “take action” against public content that “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.” That has been widely interpreted as a mandate to obliterate from National Park Service signage anything which might make people uncomfortable or paint history in anything but roses. Sorry, but history isn’t always pretty and erasing it won’t change that fact. Hopefully, we aren’t “doomed to repeat it.”

READ MORE: https://adaction.org/spotlight-on-democracy/

Even before that executive order went into effect, there were indications that that policy was being put into place. In January, a series of informational signs about slavery was removed from the President's House in Old City Philadelphia. So sorry if those signs made some people uncomfortable but slavery really did happen and we need to learn its lessons. The city of Philadelphia sued and the signs were restored. Frightening, however, is the argument made in the court hearing by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory in den Berken, “Ultimately,” he said, “the government gets to choose the message it wants to convey.”

Then, in February, the Administration decided to stop flying the Rainbow Flag at the Stonewall National Monument. It was an affront to all who have fought so hard for LGBTQ+ rights and those who support them. Once again, there was an outcry and, in April, the government reversed its decision and has allowed the flag to fly once again.

Native Americans are another prime target for the Administration’s zeal to portray history in a positive light even when it’s negative. For example, in the Grand Teton National Park, a sign noted that Gustavus Cheyney Doane’s expedition led to the designation of the first national park – but also that he helped lead a massacre of at least 173 members of the Piegan Blackfeet – something he bragged about throughout his life. That fact has been eliminated from the signage. And, in California’s Muir Woods National Monument, signs on the contributions of Native Americans and women have been removed.

In addition, it has been reported that other items marked for review and possible removal include books for sale about slavery, displays about the forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and a film about 19th century mill workers in Massachusetts. Other examples abound but it is unclear how many are being removed.

Fortunately, some Member of Congress are pushing back against the whitewashing of history. They include principally Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Reps. Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Jared Huffman (D-CA) who have written to the Department of the Interior asking for an explanation of their actions.

Please take a moment NOW to thank them for their efforts to ensure that American history isn’t eradicated from our national parks.

Senator Martin Heinrich

✏️ 400 Gold Avenue SW, Ste. 1080, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505) 346-6601

✏️ 201 North Church St., Ste. 305, Las Cruces, NM, 88001 (575) 523-6561

✏️ 123 E Marcy St, Suite 103, Santa Fe NM, 87501 (505) 988-6647

✏️ 7450 East Main Street, Ste. A, Farmington, NM 87402 (505) 325-5030

✏️ 200 East 4th Street, Ste. 300, Roswell, NM 88201 (575) 622-7113

✏️ 709 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-5521

Representative Sharice Davids

✏️ 2435 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC, 20515 (202) 225-2865

✏️ 9200 Indian Creek Parkway, Suite 562, Overland Park, KS 66210 (913) 621-0832

Representative Jared Huffman

✏️ 2330 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-5161

✏️ 317 Third Street, Suite 1, Eureka CA 95501 (707) 407-3585

✏️ P.O. Box 2208, Fort Bragg 95437 (707) 962-0933

✏️ 206 G Street, Unit #3, Petaluma, CA 94952 (707) 981-8967

✏️ 999 Fifth Ave. Suite 290, San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 258-9657

✏️ 200 South School Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 (707) 671-7449

JOIN THE FIGHT! https://tinyurl.com/DemNeedsYou

Today, the nation suffered a tremendous loss. We lost a political giant but we in Americans for Democratic Action lost a former president and dear friend with the death of Barney Frank. He was truly without peer. We loved him.

RIP Barney. Friend, colleague, and of course our former ADA president. You will be missed.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/20/barney-frank-dies-00182792

Families in communities across the country are struggling to make ends meet. They’re paying higher prices for gas, groceries, and rent. Childcare is unaffordable, and healthcare premiums are skyrocketing.

Instead of using the power of the purse to support families and lower costs, MAGA Republican leaders are focusing on Trump’s White House ballroom.

Senator Chuck Grassley has officially included $1 billion of taxpayer dollars for Trump’s ballroom in the Republican budget package, which also spends tens of billions on ICE and Border Patrol. This bill is currently being debated in Congress.

Follow this link to send a message to Congress. Tell them to reject Trump’s billion-dollar ballroom and invest in working families instead. bit.ly/4nuS2hG

Families in communities across the country are struggling to make ends meet. They’re paying higher prices for gas, groceries, and rent. Childcare is unaffordable, and healthcare premiums are skyrocketing.

Instead of using the power of the purse to support families and lower costs, MAGA Republican leaders are focusing on Trump’s White House ballroom.
Senator Chuck Grassley has officially included $1 billion of taxpayer dollars for Trump’s ballroom in the Republican budget package, which also spends tens of billions on ICE and Border Patrol. This bill is currently being debated in Congress.

Trump promised us the ballroom would be completely paid for by outside funders, and that it wouldn’t cost taxpayers a dime. He lied. Now, it’s being put on our tab, even as we’re told our government can’t afford to lower healthcare costs or address the affordability crisis.

This ballroom won’t help working people. It isn’t necessary for security. It’s just a Trump vanity project. Only a wannabe dictator prioritizes his desires over the people’s needs.

Believe it or not, Trump is feeling some pushback from Republicans on fudging the project. So Now is the for us to stand together and demand better from Congress. With the vote coming up quickly, they need to hear from us now.

Follow this link to send a message to Congress. Tell them to reject Trump’s billion-dollar ballroom and invest in working families instead. Starting Writing Here: bit.ly/4nuS2hG

Thousands marched. Many died. More were bloodied. Then, Congress voted for the Voting Rights Act. President Johnson signed it into law in 1965. It took years to achieve that victory. For 50 years it stood as a shining example of what our country can achieve and guaranteed equal representation under the law. It only took 6 people to undo all that blood, sweat and tears.

READ HERE: https://adaction.org/spotlight-on-democracy/

On April 29, the Supreme Court continued its love affair with Jim Crow when it effectively gutted the Voting Rights Act. Predictably, Louisiana Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi called special legislative sessions to address redistricting. Not surprisingly, all are Southern states and all are states which underscored the need for the Voting Rights Act to begin with.

A quick review of some basic statistics makes the point. In 1965, there were 6 African American Members of the House and no Senators. Today, there are 61 who identify as Black in the House and 5 in the Senate. Sadly, those numbers could shift dramatically downward if we are to rely on the good will of racist governors and state legislatures.

There is a reason that we keep posting the picture of Martin Luther King during his I Have a Dream speech surrounded by Americans for Democratic Action founders and past presidents.

There is a reason former ADA president John Lewis was elected to Congress.

There is a reason that unsung civil rights icons such as Marvin and Evelyn Jones Rich are part of our cherished past, present and future and why we honored Evie on the publication of her memoir.

We not only honor and cherish each of these individuals. They illustrate how deeply the fight for full civil and voting rights is embedded in our DNA.

In March, Representative Terri Sewell (D-AL) reintroduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act with all Democrats as co-sponsors. In July 2025, it was reintroduced in the Senate. Shamefully but not surprisingly, it hasn’t moved in either body.

Now, more than ever, we need to redouble our efforts at the state and national levels to ensure that full voting rights are restored. If your Representative or Senator has signed on as a co-sponsor of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, send him/her a note of thanks. If not, demandthat they do so immediately despite Congressional leadership opposed to even bringing it to a vote. If you live in Louisiana Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi immediately contact your Governor and state legislators to demand that full voting rights for all citizens of your state be honored.

And, in the words of John Lewis, “Get in trouble; get in good trouble.”
March, educate, organize, get out the vote and vote.
Elections have consequences.

JOIN THE FIGHT! https://tinyurl.com/DemNeedsYou

Florida is the only state in the South where collective bargaining is enshrined in the state constitution.

Still Gov. Ron DeSantis’s administration has waged a war on Florida's unions―especially public service workers.

On International Workers Day DeSantis signed SB 1296 into law that forces public sector unions to turn out a majority of their workers in union elections every single year, or face disbandment. Any worker who doesn’t show up will effectively count as a vote against the union.

‼‼ Tell Ron DeSantis: Repeal SB 1296 and end Florida’s attacks on unions!
bit.ly/4nhiBag

Even if you don’t live in Florida, this affects you. Gov. DeSantis pioneered ending paycheck dues before Donald Trump did the same thing to federal government workers―effectively defunding unions at a critical moment.

And if DeSantis gets away with it, Republicans will try to roll this out around the country―decimating union membership.

These laws fly in the face of Florida’s constitution. We must demand their repeal.

‼‼ Tell Ron DeSantis: Repeal SB 1296 (and SB 256) and end Florida’s attacks on unions! bit.ly/4nhiBag

For decades, Wall Street billionaires have pushed their allies in Congress to cut our earned Social Security benefits. The latest scheme in this endless battle is the so-called “Six Figure Limit.” This proposal would cap Social Security benefits at $50,000 a person, or $100,000 per couple.

The billionaires behind this proposal claim that no one needs that much income in retirement—we’d love to see them try to live on $50,000 a year in NYC, Boston, or San Francisco.

Tell Congress:
Tax the rich, don’t cut Social Security!
bit.ly/EXPANDSocialSecurity

Billionaires and their allies are trying to build support for this terrible plan. The editorial board of the Washington Post, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, enthusiastically endorsed it. Supporters of the plan claim it’s about generational fairness and taking on the “greedy geezers”—but they never mention that it’s younger generations who would suffer the biggest benefit cuts.

Social Security is an earned benefit that workers have paid into throughout their careers. Rather than cutting benefits, we should expand them to reflect the reality that seniors face rising costs for healthcare, housing, and basic necessities. Expanding Social Security would lift millions of older Americans out of poverty and provide economic security for all.

Tell Congress:
Tax the rich, don’t cut Social Security!
bit.ly/EXPANDSocialSecurity