For the Week of September 29, 2025

🎙️Sep 29, 2025 Weekly Actions Audio – available for when you’re on the go

📣 See Eastside and Seattle Protests 2025 for up-to-date opportunities.

🔷 Now is the perfect time to look for a candidate forum that you can attend! It’s a great way to learn about the views of candidates for your City Council, or for the County Executive. See the compilation on Eastside For All’s Voting and Representation page, and additional details in the Calendar of Events below.

🔷 Fellow freedom-loving citizens on the east side of the state have formed a new PAC and are broadcasting their message in a BIG way. We Are Getting Screwed (WAGS) billboards are coming soon to the Spokane area, with plans to expand into other eastern Washington counties. The activists aim to reach those who didn’t vote or regret their vote in 2024 and/or have been hurt by layoffs and the elimination of services and programs. Learn more and/or support WAGS efforts with a donation.

🔷 The Indivisible Eastside Rally Team is working on the planning phase of a march and rally in Redmond for No Kings Day on Saturday October 18. It will be roughly from 12:30 – 4 pm; details still TBD. They are recruiting volunteers to be a part of what is expected to be the largest nationwide event ever held. Check out the volunteer opportunities HERE (use the access code ‘rally’).

Here are your 2 Actions and Bright Spots.

✊ Action 1a & b – Big deadlines tomorrow

Action 1a – Tell Democrat Congress Members to vote NO on the spending extension until it preserves healthcare

A government shutdown looms again (tomorrow, September 30, is Congress’ deadline!) and Republicans in Congress want to again postpone permanent funding by passing another short-term spending extension. Democrats, however, intend to seize the moment to restore a trillion dollars in funding to Medicaid, protect health care for millions, permanently extend the ACA premium tax credit, and restore the power of the purse to Congress instead of Trump. Let’s tell them to stand strong!

The stage is set. In this great explainer video from Chop Wood, Carry Water’s founder Jess Craven, she outlines how Republicans in Congress are weakened by their own infighting. House Republicans have the numbers, while the Senate Republicans do not and must get 7 Democrats to vote with them to pass another short-term extension. Democrats want to use this leverage to mitigate some of the damage from Trump’s big and not beautiful bill passed earlier. Members return to the Senate TODAY and have less than 48 hours to make a deal, so it is not too late to contact our Senators!

Sen. Patty Murray: DC 202-224-2621 | Seattle 206-553-5545 | EMAIL
Sen. Maria Cantwell: DC 202-224-3441 | Seattle 206-220-6400 | EMAIL

☎ Sample Script:

Hi, my name is [NAME], and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].

While no one wants a government shutdown, the American people are owed bipartisan negotiations on legislation, particularly spending bills. The president and Republicans in Congress seek to rubber-stamp another short-term spending extension. You and fellow Democrats must stay strong and advocate for all Americans by not voting for a spending bill unless it:

Restores the trillion dollars they just cut from Medicaid
Permanently extends the ACA premium tax cuts, to keep healthcare premiums for 22 million Americans affordable
Restores funding to Public Broadcasting that was pulled back after it had been appropriated and
Puts guardrails on Trump so he and Russel Vought can’t continue to cut funding that’s already been appropriated at will using “pocket rescissions.” This includes funding for crucial programs like the NIH, kids’ cancer research, and public education.

Use the power you have to push back and the voice you have to tell Americans that you are saving healthcare for 17 million Americans so that the remaining insured don’t pay extra and rural hospitals aren’t forced to close. Do not concede!

Thank you.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

Action 1b – Contact your House reps to preserve telehealth

A bill before the House, called the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) Bill, extends crucial telehealth authorization for Medicare patients beyond September 30. The bill is endorsed by the American Medical Association. Now is the time for us to add our support.

Rep. Suzan DelBene (1st): DC 202-225-6311 | Bellevue 425-485-0085 | EMAIL
Rep. Kim Schrier (8th): DC 202-225-7761 | Issaquah 425-657-1001| EMAIL
Rep. Adam Smith (9th): DC 202-225-8901 | Renton 425-793-5180 | EMAIL

☎ Sample Script:

Hi, my name is [NAME], and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].

Please vote for H.R. 4206, the telehealth CONNECT Act of 2025. This bill extends telehealth authorization for Medicare patients beyond September 30th so that disabled and rural patients can continue to access vital telehealth services. The American Medical Association endorses this bill and so do I.

Thank you.

[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]

✊ Action 2 – Veterans: take the Oath Challenge

Veterans for All Voters is inviting U.S. military veterans to renew the Oath of Office on camera and include a short 60-90 second description of what the oath has meant to them. The “Oath Challenge” will continue on through the U.S.A.’s 250th anniversary. “By renewing our oath in public, we show that our allegiance is to the Constitution, not to any other identity.” If you are a veteran, please join the Oath Challenge; if you know a veteran, please encourage them to join. Examples and instructions are provided by Veterans for All Voters.

The Oath: I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

Candidate Corner: Shilpa Prem – Kirkland City Council

From IE member Jennie J

Why I’m supporting Shilpa Prem for Position 3, an open seat on Kirkland City Council.

Her opponent is recommended as the “best choice” by King County Republicans and has run on a platform opposed to permanent supportive housing and critical of trans children and athletes. By contrast, Shilpa Prem has been recommended by the Progressive Voter’s Guide.

Join Shilpa for canvassing!

Talking to voters works! Shilpa saw voter turnout surge in neighborhoods where she knocked on doors before the primary – but she needs your help to win.

Even introverts like me can be great canvassers. It’s all about listening to concerns – it’s not about memorizing anything. Shilpa will train you, and you can work in pairs until you are comfortable. Aside from making donations, canvassing is the most important way to help Shilpa reach voters! This week’s canvassing starts at 5 pm on Sept 30, Oct 1, and Oct 2. The exact location will be given upon confirmation; email shilpa@voteshilpaprem.com to join us.

To be informed about volunteer opportunities, register here.

Bonus actions:

Encourage five Kirkland friends to vote for Shilpa: ElectShilpaPrem.com.
Postcard writing: Sat Oct 4, 3-5 pm, Chainline Tap Room at Kirkland Urban.
Sign waving: Nov 3 & 4 at busy Kirkland corners during morning and/or evening rush hours. Email shilpa@voteshilpaprem.com to sign up.
Yard signs: If your Kirkland home has good visibility for a yard sign, request one by emailing shilpa@voteshilpaprem.com, and she will drop one off.
Donate to Shilpa’s campaign.

⛅ Bright Spots

from various sources, including Chop Wood, Carry Water’s weekly round-up

Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension by Disney from his ABC late-night show (following benign remarks about Charlie Kirk’s shooting) was rescinded in a triumph for free speech. In addition, Kimmel gave an eloquent and timely return monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday, September 23: Stream the episode to increase views and send a message that standing up to Trump is good for ratings! Plus, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which owns KOMO TV locally, has backed down after advertiser pressure (from local politicians and citizens like you!); it announced Friday that Kimmel’s show will air on its affiliates once again.
AOC has joined forces with GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on a bill to fund Healthy Start—which provides healthcare and birthing assistance to mothers and families with young children in 39 states, Puerto Rico, and DC.
California became the first state to ban face coverings for most law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, while they are conducting official business.
A federal judge threw out Trump’s lawsuit against the New York Times, ruling that the lawsuit “lacked any legitimate legal claims.”
California’s Yes on Prop 50 campaign has received over $20 million in small dollar contributions from all 50 states as well as large scale contributions. Meanwhile, Missourians fighting the gerrymandered congressional map passed last week by Republican state lawmakers are laying the groundwork for a ballot referendum that could give voters the power to block the map from going into effect.
A giant photo of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein was put on display outside of UK’s Windsor Castle ahead of Trump’s state visit. (This must have been awkward for Prince Andrew.)
Four U.S. states (including Washington!) issued their own vaccination guidelines for three common seasonal vaccines, the flu, COVID-19, and RSV.

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