Call or Email our MD Senator Van Hollen, who is on the budget committee, or any other member listed below and ask them to protect Medicaid and funding for the government, and to tax the wealthy appropriately.

The H.R. 1 House Budget Bill is now with the Senate Budget Committee. There are a number of troubling items in the bill. Some of the most disturbing are 1) tax cuts for the most wealthy 2) extreme cuts to Medicaid and SNAP and 3) Funding for basic research at NIH on the line as well as funding for government agencies.

 _________________________________________________________________

DOGE and the Privacy Act

Answer Jamie Raskin’s call to file a Freedom of Information (FOIA) or Privacy Act request with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Take steps to protect your own private data. Whistleblowers allege this an attempt by DOGE to build a “master database” on American citizens that can be used for improper reasons or repressive goals and to weaponize the information to use against people they dislike, dissidents, surveil immigrants or other target groups.

Elon Musk has been the de facto head of DOGE. He and his assistants have been going through data systems and as of April 9, the NYT has tracked Musk and his DOGE team gaining access to more than 80 data systems across at least 10 federal agencies. 

The data collected includes personal information about federal workers, detailed financial data like your bank account numbers, your disability status, student loan debt, and that is just for starters. The NYT lists over 300 separate fields of data about people who live in the U.S. contained in these data systems.

These intimate details about the personal lives of people who live in the United States are held in disconnected data systems across the federal government. The Trump administration is now trying to connect the dots of that disparate information. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order calling for the “consolidation” of these segregated records, raising the prospect of creating a kind of data trove about Americans that the government has never had before, and that members of the president’s own party have historically opposed.

 The law allows every American to hold our government to account and to demand to know data the government has about us. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has issued an injunction commanding DOGE to comply with citizen requests under the Freedom of Information Act, which includes the Federal Privacy Act of 1974.

Jamie Raskin, in his pledge to fight for the rule of law for all of us, submitted a request to DOGE to learn what data of his they are holding. He vows to continue to hold Elon Musk and DOGE to account and to defend the legal rights of Americans to protect our privacy and establish the security of our private information.

ACTIONS

1. File a FOIA/privacy act request with DOGE
   Representative Jamie Raskin is also encouraging all US citizens to join him in filing formal demands for information accessed and held by DOGE, and provides information on how you too can file a request. He also includes an example of a written request HERE that you can use as a template for your own request.
   Note: Privacy Act and FOIA requests are similar and are basically treated the same by government agencies.
   
   What is FOIA and why are open records laws important?
   The Freedom of Information Act is a federal statute, 5 USC § 552, that enables anyone in the United States to request records from federal agencies, such as the FBI. The act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1966. States also have their own open records laws, many of them enacted after the passage of FOIA.
   These laws are important because they allow the public to request information about the government that it may otherwise not disclose. Information received through FOIA requests has been essential in defending activists facing government surveillance and repression, uncovering gross human rights violations, and arming movements with the information they need to fight powerful interests.
   
   Who can make a request under FOIA?
   Anyone can file or submit a FOIA request to a federal agency. You do not have to be a lawyer, U.S. citizen, or of a certain age. You can submit a request as an individual, or on behalf of your organization or group. In many cases, submitting on behalf of a group can be helpful, because you can show that your group is committed to addressing issues of public interest and that the documents you get through FOIA will be widely distributed. These factors may help you obtain a fee waiver and avoid the government charging you for the costs of processing your request.
   
   Payment and making a “fee waiver” request
   Filing your request is free, but government agencies are typically allowed to charge for processing and copying done in response to your request and usually set limits on the amount they charge per page. However, under FOIA you may be entitled to a “fee waiver” so that you won’t have to pay for any of the records you receive.
   For further details and examples, see https://www.foiabasics.org/introduction-overview. You can read more about the Privacy Act from the Congressional Research Service here.
   
   How can I file my own Privacy Act request with DOGE? Unlike most federal agencies, DOGE does not yet have a Privacy Act request form or instructions on its website. If you would like some assistance with your request and are a constituent of Maryland’s Eighth District, Jamie Raskin’s office is happy to help you. You may fill out this form to request assistance: Privacy Act Information Request Form for Maryland’s Eighth District Constituents.
   If you are not a constituent of Maryland’s Eighth District, then you must contact your own Member of Congress if you need assistance with a federal agency (including information about making a Privacy Act request).
   To contact Representative Andy Harris for help with your Privacy Act request:

Contact information:

Congressman Andy Harris: (202) 225-5311 Contact via official webform

Senator Angela Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 Contact via official webform

Senator Chris Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 Contact via official webform

If you are not sure who your elected official is, you can search them here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

1. Protect your personal information

There are several actions that will help keep you safe, even if any of your personal information falls into the wrong hands. The particular security threat posed by DOGE may be new, but it’s good to remember that our information is always vulnerable in one way or another. Some proactive strategies can protect your Social Security number, tax information, and bank account from a variety of threats.

At fastcompany.com, they suggest 4 strategic actions you can take to help protect your data.

1. Open a my Social Security account
   It’s not exactly easy for hackers to access your Social Security benefits, even if they have your Social Security number. The my Social Security web portal takes data safety seriously and uses various tools to verify your identity, including information from your credit reports. So an identity thief would need to have that information, in addition to your SSN, to open an account in your name. But it is still prudent (and helpful) to establish your account now, as it will ensure that no one else opens an account in your name.
2. Set up an IRS.gov account
   Scammers with your personal information may also attempt to file a fraudulent tax return in your name to claim a refund. The IRS has identified this as a growing problem over the past few years, with over one million tax returns flagged as potentially fraudulent during the 2023 tax season.
   
   Setting up an online individual account with IRS.gov can help ensure that you are the only person filing taxes in your name. This kind of account can also allow you to access your tax records, manage payments, and get virtual assistance.
   
   For further security, you can also request an identity protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS. This is a six-digit number assigned to you at the beginning of the tax season that you may use to file your taxes instead of your Social Security number. The IP PIN is only shared with you, and you will need to provide it when filing your tax return to verify your identity. The IP PIN is also only valid for one calendar youryear, so you must request a new one each tax season.

    

3. Freeze your credit
   Freezing your credit means that no one, not even you, can open new credit in your name. With frozen credit, even if identity thieves have your personal information, they can’t open an account in your name. Credit freezes last indefinitely, which means you don’t have to worry about renewing the chill. However, you do need to unfreeze your credit anytime you want to open a new line of credit or to set up your my Social Security account.
   
   To freeze your credit, go to each of the three nationwide credit bureau websites and follow their prompts:

• Equifax
• Experian
• Transunion

1. Practice good password hygiene
   If you have been using the same password for everything, it is time to change it. Passwords that use pet names, important dates, your mother’s maiden name are just too easy to guess. Good password hygiene requires a unique, strong password for every account. Passwords made up of a random string of 16 or more characters are the most secure, but it would be literally impossible to remember such passwords for every account.
   
   Using a password manager can make it easier to deal with remembering your passwords. A manager can generate unique and strong passwords, and store them in one place.

    

The fact that an unelected billionaire, by way of DOGE has access to our sensitive data should anger everyone, but we do have the power to protect ourselves.

“Total information is total control.” 

U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater

 _________________________________________________________________

We need your help to safeguard the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the future of medical and technological innovation.

1. As of May 5, 2025, 777 NIH grants have been terminated. This adds up to approximately $1.9 billion of lost funding.  About 45% of these grants were to U.S. medical schools and hospitals.  This has tremendous repercussions for our health and wellbeing as individuals and as a nation.  The funding pays for lab space, equipment, utilities and other critical infrastructure needed for scientific discovery.

   They have done this without warning and in violation of bipartisan laws passed by Congress. If allowed to continue, this cut will be crippling to universities and research centers throughout the USA and will have repercussions worldwide.

2. The longstanding partnership between universities and the federal government has led to some of the most powerful and impactful research discoveries in human history, as well as new technologies and industries that translate into well-paying jobs.A few of the technologies started by the federal government include the following (https://noblereachfoundation.org/news/16-innovations-fueled-by-the-federal-government/):

1. • 1945: Doppler radar
   • 1946: MRI’s
   • 1958: Microchips
   • 1971: Closed captioning
   • 1974: Barcodes
   • 1977: Modern Goodyear tires
   • 1980: Modern wind energy
   • 1990: Genetic tracing services
   • 1992: Smartphones
   • 1993: The Internet
   • 1998: Google
   • 2004: Self-driving cars
   • 2011: Siri
   • 2020: The Moderna coronavirus vaccine
   • 1945: Doppler radar1945: The flu shot

For additional examples, see https://www2.itif.org/2014-federally-supported-innovations.pdf.

NIH funding matters because it supports research infrastructure; fuels industry and the broader U.S. economy; and it propels American research institutions to the internation forefront. 

We are asking Congress to oppose this catastrophic change. Join us by emailing your lawmakers and asking them to work across party lines to urge the administration to suspend this abrupt policy shift.

Email and call your representatives to express your support for NIH funding.   You may also send a similar message to the White House at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/. 

Congressman Andy Harris: (202) 225-5311 Contact via official webform

Senator Angela Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 Contact via official webform

Senator Chris Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 Contact viaofficial webform

If you are not sure who your elected official is, you can search for them here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Script:

I’m concerned about the new National Institutes of Health policy to cut funding for research. For decades, NIH funding has propelled American research to the forefront of medical and technological discoveries, leading to life-saving treatments for cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.  

The new policy caps university reimbursement for facilities and administrative costs at an arbitrary 15 percent. These funds support vital components of research, including lab space, compliance with federal regulations and other critical infrastructure needed to conduct good science.

I urge you to work in a bipartisan way to ask the administration to immediately suspend this abrupt policy shift.

Maintaining adequate funding is essential for the continued success of our research institutions and the health and well-being of our communities.

Thank you

[your name, include a prefix (Mr, Ms, Dr. etc)

[your address]

[your phone number]

 _________________________________________________________________

Refer to last week’s Call to Action on the Abrego Garcia case for background. Sign up for a petition, send letters to the Trump administration, thank some Democrats, support the ACLU, and make demands from Republicans at the federal and state level to address last week’s events related to the Kilmar Abrego Garcia disappearance.  

 This past week’s developments:

• Sunday, April 13, 2025
  • The Department of Justice told Judge Xinis that the administration does not have a legal obligation to return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia
• Monday, April 14, 2025
  • The President of El Salvador, Nyib Bukele, met with the Trump administration in the Oval office. Trump and Bukele stated that they could not bring back Mr. Abrego Garcia.
• Tuesday, April 15, 2025
  • S. District Judge Paul Xinis held a hearing on the Abrego Garcia case. Judge Xinis concluded that nothing has been done and established a two-week period of discovery to ascertain who is stonewalling her orders to release Mr. Abrego Garcia.  Judge Xinis added that “everyday Mr. Garcia is detained in CECOT is a day of irreparable harm.”
• Wednesday, April 16, 2025
  • Our Senator, Chris Van Hollen, met with El Salvador’s Vice President Félix Ulloa, who stated that the Trump administration pays El Salvador to detain Mr. Abrego Garcia in CECOT.
• Thursday, April 17, 2025
  • Senator Van Hollen was able to meet with Mr. Abrego Garcia late on Thursday at a hotel in San Salvador, not CECOT.
  • The President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, tried to stage a photo together. As Heather Cox Richardson states “Bukele might be reassessing the distribution of power in the U.S. 

ACTIONS:

1. Send emails to the Trump administration by using this 5 calls link: https://5calls.org/issue/abrego-garcia-homegrown-criminals-trump-el-salvador/
2. Sign the CASA Immigrant Advocacy Group Petition to protect immigrant families: https://wearecasa.org/maryland-immigrant-justice-protection-package/
3. Support the ACLU, which is handling many of the law cases related to immigration and other issues: https://www.aclu.org.
4. Thank Senator Van Hollen and other Democrats for their support of Mr. Abrego Garcia

Script to thank Senator Van Hollen:

Dear Senator Van Hollen.  My name is _____ and I am your constituent.  I appreciate your trip to El Salvador to see Mr. Kilmar Abrego Garcia.  You faced several obstacles that led to the encounter in a hotel on Thursday April 17, 2025.   It was significant that President Bukele joined you for a photo op. 

Please keep pressuring the administration and El Salvador.  The open mike capture that the administration may be planning to pay for additional concentration camps in El Salvador is horrifying.  Thank you for all your work in stopping the administration’s autocratic steps.

 Name/Address

Contact information

 Call and email your Congressperson/Senator, and we are also asking that you include your Maryland Senators/Delegates, in this Call to Action and ask them to pressure the Trump administration to follow the order of U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland dad who was wrongly deported to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador.

 On April 6 U.S.District Judge Paul Xinis stated that ICE officials did not follow procedures in theImmigration and Nationality Act when Mr. Abrego Garcia was deported. US Districtjudges cannot order El Salvador to act but they can order the US government to returnMr. Abrego Garcia to his wife and 3 children in the USA.

 On April 10, in a 9-0 ruling, the US Supreme Court instructed the Trump administration to bring back Mr. Abrego Garcia, thereby upholding the district judge’s order. The USA pays El Salvador’s government $6m to hold prisoners for the USA. El Salvador is functioning based on the USA’s financial compensation and will comply with a request from the USA to free Mr. Garcia, if the Trump administration takes action to correct the “administrative error.”

Additionally, if you feel inclined, follow the immigration efforts by CASA and the ACLU.  Mr. Abrego Garcia’s lawyer is Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, from the Murray Osorio PLLC Law Firm. Supporting these organizations and law firms is important.

Email and call your representatives to show your support for Mr. Abrego Garcia to be brought back to the USA. You may also send a similar message to the White House at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

Script:

 Dear Congressperson/Senator. (Or Maryland Senator/Delegate) My name is _____________ and I am your constituent. I’m calling/emailing to demand the return of Mr. Kilmar Abrego Garcia. He has been illegally detained and sent to the CECOT mega prison for gang members in El Salvador. The USA is paying 6 million dollars to house Mr. Abrego Garcia and others who have either been deported or extradited illegally,  through the misuse of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 because we are not at war. Even if it were appropriate to use the Alien Enemies Act, those held are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal. None of this has happened in the case of Mr. Abrego Garcia. He needs to be returned to his home and family. And I ask that you organize an in-person Town Hall for your constituents in my area.

 Name/Address

What does the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case mean?

1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is declaring who is a criminal or gang member without following the law. The Secretary of State designated the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TdA) and MS-13 as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which is a wartime law. It’s being used to expedite deportations by claiming that Mr. Abrego Garcia and others are members of TdA. The Supreme Court majority has stated that those being held under the Alien Enemies Act “are entitled to notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal.”
2. If the administration does not bring back Mr. Abrego Garcia, there are the broader implications that the administration could do the same to U.S. citizens.  Justices Sotomayor, Jackson, and Kagan wrote “The Government’s argument, moreover, implies that it could deport and incarcerate any person, including U.S. citizens, without legal consequence, so long as it does so before a court can intervene.” Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III wrote in a previous ruling “this is a path of perfect lawlessness, one that courts cannot condone.”   

If the Trump administration defies the court order, Mr. Trump will be an autocrat.

The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is a wartime authority, and it was enacted to prevent foreign espionage and sabotage in wartime. It’s being wielded against immigrants who have done nothing wrong. If it is being used against immigrants, and not even following the rules of the Act itself, it can be wielded against anyone. When we get rid of our legal protections it’s only a matter of time when the rest of the population will not have rights as well.  For reference, the Alien Enemies Act has been invoked three times: the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. It can be invoked only when there is a “declared war.”

Call and email your Congressperson/Senator and ask they vote NO to H.R. 22 Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which will and disenfranchise countless voters, especially women, seniors, transgender and low-income citizens.

What Does H.R. 22 Do?

It will require all Americans to present documentary proof of citizenship in person when you want to register to vote or update your voter registration.  For many Americans, this will require either a passport or birth certificate. A driver’s license would no longer be an acceptable form of identification.

Here are the implications:

–          146 million Americans do not have a valid passport

–          In seven states, less than 1/3 of citizens have a valid passport

–          Only 1 in 5 Americans with income below $50,000 have a valid passport

–          83% of women change their name last name when they marry: 69 million American women may not have a birth certificate with their legal name on it and would not be able to use their birth certificate to proves citizenship. The SAVE Act does not include proof of name change or marriage certificate as acceptable proof of identity. 

–          Many transgender people go by a different name than the one they were assigned at birth—but not all who want to legally change their name are able to do so.

Email and call your representatives to impress upon them to vote NO to this Act that would greatly disenfranchise women, lower income, transgender and minority communities? We always encourage you to personalize your email or call if you can.

 Script:

 Dear Congressperson/Senator, My name is __________________ and I am your constituent.  I’m calling/emailing to demand that you oppose H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, which will create unnecessary barriers to voter registration and disenfranchise countless voters, especially women, seniors, transgender and low-income citizens. Citizens who live in rural areas have less accessibility to get a government register ID due to the lack of services in those areas.

69 million American women may not have a birth certificate with their legal name on it and would not be able to use their birth certificate to proves citizenship. The SAVE Act does not include proof of name change or marriage certificate as acceptable proof of identity. 

 This bill is designed to block voters despite no real evidence of widespread fraud.  I implore you to vote NO to this harmful and unnecessary act that would silence the votes of many American citizens unjustly.

And I ask that you organize an in-person Town Hall for your constituents in my area, not just a telephone Town Hall.

Name/Address

 Contact information:

Congressman Andy Harris: (202) 225-5311 Contact via official webform

Senator Angela Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 Contact via official webform

Senator Chris Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 Contact via official webform

If you are not sure who your elected official is, you can search them here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

____________________________________________________

Call and email your Federal elected officials to demand an investigation into the breach of security by the Secretary of Defense, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, Director of Intelligence and many others.

 There is probably not one family in this country that has not had some family member in the military, at some point. But many of the lessons of privacy and protecting sensitive information that are a cornerstone of military service are present in our daily work lives as well. Many corporations require use of a dedicated phone. No outside apps are allowed. You may not search the internet or email with work computers outside of work-related communications. The main reason is to protect confidential information. And to be able to go back and track what actually happened by having access to the emails or messages or phone records. All of this is common sense and normal work expectations in the corporate world, much less in the military where lives are on the line every day.

There is no excuse for what happened with our Secretary of Defense and many other high ranking government officials including the Vice President, the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence. The fact that they were not exposed until after the event in no way changes the danger that they put our military servicemembers in, and a CIA operative who was identified in the messages.

Please email and call your representative to demand an investigation and to ask what other confidential information has potentially been compromised by their carelessness and lawlessness?

 Script:

Dear Congressperson/Senator. My name is _________________________ and I am your constituent. The out-of-control actions of our government demand that our legislative branch exert some authority over what is happening. The recent revelation that the HIGHEST levels officers in our government, and those most responsible for the safety and well being of our country, our military and our democracy, have been using illegal communication devices and failing to adhere to the most basic concepts of security and secrecy of our government information, military plans and intelligence officials, demands action on your part.

This must not be waived off as an accident. It was intentional and intended to hide conversations from the requirement that all official conversations be preserved. What other conversations have been happening on an unsanctioned app? Do not pretend to espouse support for our military and then sit by and do nothing when so many laws have been broken.

How many of your constituents are currently in the military or have served previously? You are obligated to investigate and hold accountable those that have failed the most basic of their responsibilities. Each branch of the military has either Honor and Integrity, or both, as its core value. Please hold the leadership to those values.

We demand an in-person Town Hall with your constituents to discuss this, and other matters of urgency.

Name and address

If you have a personal story to tell about how one of these programs impacted you or your family, please include in your email or phone call

Congressman Andy Harris: (202) 225-5311 Contact via official webform

Senator Angela Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 Contact via official webform

Senator Chris Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 Contact via official webform

If you are not sure who your elected official is, you can search them here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

_______________________________________________________________________ 

Call and email your Federal elected officials to demand an investigation into the breach of security by the Secretary of Defense, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, Director of Intelligence and many others.

 There is probably not one family in this country that has not had some family member in the military, at some point. But many of the lessons of privacy and protecting sensitive information that are a cornerstone of military service are present in our daily work lives as well. Many corporations require use of a dedicated phone. No outside apps are allowed. You may not search the internet or email with work computers outside of work-related communications. The main reason is to protect confidential information. And to be able to go back and track what actually happened by having access to the emails or messages or phone records. All of this is common sense and normal work expectations in the corporate world, much less in the military where lives are on the line every day.

There is no excuse for what happened with our Secretary of Defense and many other high ranking government officials including the Vice President, the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence. The fact that they were not exposed until after the event in no way changes the danger that they put our military servicemembers in, and a CIA operative who was identified in the messages.

Please email and call your representative to demand an investigation and to ask what other confidential information has potentially been compromised by their carelessness and lawlessness?

Script:

Dear Congressperson/Senator. My name is _________________________ and I am your constituent. The out-of-control actions of our government demand that our legislative branch exert some authority over what is happening. The recent revelation that the HIGHEST levels officers in our government, and those most responsible for the safety and well being of our country, our military and our democracy, have been using illegal communication devices and failing to adhere to the most basic concepts of security and secrecy of our government information, military plans and intelligence officials, demands action on your part.

This must not be waived off as an accident. It was intentional and intended to hide conversations from the requirement that all official conversations be preserved. What other conversations have been happening on an unsanctioned app? Do not pretend to espouse support for our military and then sit by and do nothing when so many laws have been broken.

How many of your constituents are currently in the military or have served previously? You are obligated to investigate and hold accountable those that have failed the most basic of their responsibilities. Each branch of the military has either Honor and Integrity, or both, as its core value. Please hold the leadership to those values.

We demand an in-person Town Hall with your constituents to discuss this, and other matters of urgency.

Name and address

If you have a personal story to tell about how one of these programs impacted you or your family, please include in your email or phone call

Congressman Andy Harris: (202) 225-5311 Contact via official webform

Senator Angela Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 Contact via official webform

Senator Chris Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 Contact via official webform

If you are not sure who your elected official is, you can search them here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

_______________________________________________________________________ 

PROTECT TRANS RIGHTS

Trump’s State Department is denying accurate passports to all trans, intersex and non-binary people, a right they’ve previously had for over 30 years. Banning accurate IDs and forcing trans people to out themselves whenever they show an ID will only push trans people out of public life and expose them to discrimination and violence

The State Department is accepting public comments for people to submit their concerns about the new passport policy that forces trans and intersex to out themselves any time they have to show ID. And they’re required to review every comment before taking action.

Every citizen deserves a U.S. passport that matches who they are to ensure they can safely travel, obtain employment, interact with law enforcement, and go about their daily lives without fear of harassment, undue scrutiny, and discrimination.

You can submit comments anonymously on the federal register website, but it does require your email (all three links below).

Application For Passport (DS-11)

I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the DS-11 Passport Application, which would require applicants to disclose their “biological sex at birth” instead of their gender. This requirement is an unnecessary and discriminatory obstacle for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals applying for a passport for the first time.

Forcing individuals to disclose the sex assigned at birth disregards the reality that many states already allow gender marker changes on official documents. This policy could lead to mismatches between IDs, putting people at risk of discrimination, employment issues, and restricted travel. The ability to select an accurate gender marker has existed without issue, and there is no justification for reversing this progress.

It is a burden on passport applicants to be asked for evidence of biological sex at birth and a waste of government time and resources to require the State Department employees to research this information. We rely on our federal government to be thoughtful, well-reasoned, and fair to all Americans, yet this new policy provides no thought, reason, or fairness. Instead, it targets a small population of the United States and denies them identification documents they need to safely travel and go about their lives.

[TELL YOUR STORY HERE]

I call on the State Department to reject this harmful rule and ensure all individuals can obtain passports reflecting their true identity.

[https://www.federalregister.gov/…/30-day-notice-of…](https://www.federalregister.gov/…/30-day-notice-of…)

Renewal Application (DS-82) 

I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the DS-82 Passport Renewal Form that would require applicants to list their “biological sex at birth” instead of their gender. This policy is unnecessary and harmful, especially for transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals who already face challenges when updating their accurate identification.

Forcing a mismatch between state IDs and passports will cause confusion, delays, and potential discrimination. It could also expose individuals to harassment when traveling or applying for jobs. The current self-attestation system has worked well and should remain established.

It is a burden on passport applicants to be asked for evidence of biological sex at birth and a waste of government time and resources to require the State Department employees to research this information. We rely on our federal government to be thoughtful, well-reasoned, and fair to all Americans, yet this new policy provides no thought, reason, or fairness. Instead, it targets a small population of the United States and denies them identification documents they need to safely travel and go about their lives.

[TELL YOUR STORY HERE]

I urge the State Department to reconsider this change and ensure all individuals can renew their passports with the correct gender marker without facing additional barriers.

[https://www.federalregister.gov/…/30-day-notice-of…](https://www.federalregister.gov/…/30-day-notice-of…)

Replacement, name change, correction (DS-5504)

The proposed changes to Form DS-5504 requiring applicants to list their “biological sex at birth” instead of their gender are unnecessary and harmful. Many people rely on this form to update their passports after legally changing their names or correcting an error, and this additional requirement will create needless obstacles.

By disregarding legal name and gender marker changes that have already been approved by state agencies, this rule could lead to document mismatches that put transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals at risk of discrimination, travel delays, and even job insecurity. A passport is a vital document, and the ability to update it should not come with invasive and irrelevant questions about a person’s assigned sex at birth.

It is a burden on passport applicants to be asked for evidence of biological sex at birth and a waste of government time and resources to require the State Department employees to research this information. We rely on our federal government to be thoughtful, well-reasoned, and fair to all Americans, yet this new policy provides no thought, reason, or fairness. Instead, it targets a small population of the United States and denies them identification documents they need to safely travel and go about their lives.

[TELL YOUR STORY HERE]

I urge the State Department to withdraw this proposal and allow individuals to correct or update their passports without unnecessary and discriminatory hurdles.

[https://www.federalregister.gov/…/30-day-notice-of…](https://www.federalregister.gov/…/30-day-notice-of…)

Information and scripts were created from the following sources:

https://action.aclu.org/reg-action/hands-off-our-passports-stop-attacking-transgender-americans

https://action.transequality.org/a/freedom-fly-take-action-step-three-securing-our-rights 

  Call your Congressperson/Senators and demand that they support the Department of Education.

Misinformation abounds about what the DOE does and what it funds. It represents, on average, less than 10% of most school budgets. School budgets are primarily comprised of State and Local funding. In Harford County the State and Local funding is almost evenly matched 51% provided by the State and 49% by Local funding. Federal funding represents 4.6% of the last school budget, but that money is highly restricted, designated for educational services for students with disabilities (IDEA) and lower income students via Title 1. These are Congressionally approved and funded programs and would take a legislative change by Congress to modify them.

The DOE has NO authority over school curriculum. Curriculum is managed at the State and Local level.

The DOE also manages the “federal student loan portfolio of approximately $1.6 trillion in student loan debt.  It is also responsible for the mechanism that gives students access to college financial aid: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. 

More than 17 million current and aspiring college students fill out the FAFSA each year in order to qualify for student loans, grants and more. For many, it’s the only way they can get help paying for college.

Students who end up taking out loans become part of the department’s massive student loan portfolio, which is managed by the office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). FSA “provides approximately $120.8 billion in grant, work-study, and loan funds each year to help students and their families pay for college or career school,” according to the office’s website. That includes $33 billion in Pell Grants for low-income and middle-income undergraduate students.”

The other priorities of the DOE are data collection and student testing. Eliminating the collection of data only serves the purposes of those that would like to eliminate the DOE. Without data, how do you prove your argument/position/policy?  How do you improve educational outcomes?

“The Nation’s Report Card has long served as a common yardstick for student achievement, and has been an especially valuable tool through, and since, the pandemic years. In addition to shedding light on how much ground students lost academically, it has also helped the country track chronic absenteeism, poverty levels and educational experiences of students. The data generated by NAEP is then used by educators, policymakers and researchers to work towards improving K-12 education across the country.”

We can anticipate that if 47 fails to eliminate the DOE, his next best plan will be to gut it financially. and impact all of these programs. To the extent that they say they will turn these programs over to the states, the states are not equipped to manage these programs.

https://www.npr.org/2025/02/04/nx-s1-5286311/trump-schools-education-department-funding-cuts-congress-student-loans

Call/Email Script:

Dear Congressperson/Senator. My name is _________________________ and I am your constituent. I strongly believe in the importance of the Department of Education and the programs it oversees. I urge you to fight any efforts to eliminate the DOE and any efforts to drastically underfund its mission. In doing so you only harm the most vulnerable in our communities, the disabled and economically disadvantaged students. So many of us have benefited from the FAFSA and Pell Grants as a means to obtain loans, grants, work study opportunities that made higher education obtainable. Opportunity in this country is inextricably tied to education whether it be K-12, trade school, or college and post graduate education.

The DOE also performs a critical role in collecting data which helps inform our efforts to improve education and innovation in education. These are not duties that states can or will perform adequately.

Protect the DOE, fund the DOE. Thank you,

If you have a personal story to tell about how one of these programs impacted you or your family, please include in your email or phone call

Congressman Andy Harris: (202) 225-5311 Contact via official webform

Senator Angela Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 Contact via official webform

Senator Chris Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 Contact via official webform

If you are not sure who your elected official is, you can search them here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

 Contact your Congressperson/Senator to express your utter disgust at the way in which President Zelenskyy from Ukraine was treated.

Demand that prior commitments to Ukraine be fulfilled and that future commitments of support be immediately forthcoming.

Continue to pressure them on Medicaid cuts and to hold in person Town Halls.

As we watched the horror show in the Oval Office (why did they even hold this event before the signing of the minerals deal?} It is important that we express our anger at the way in which this  ally was treated. Even more important, is that we demand that the already approved support for Ukraine be distributed as planned with no disruptions. The last month has shown us that this government does not always honor its commitments and that would result in an unacceptable and unnecessary additional loss of life in Ukraine.  This article provides a good overview of the amount of aid that has been awarded. That amount is $175billion, not the $350 billion that 47 keeps referencing. https://www.cfr.org/article/how-much-us-aid-going-ukraine?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJC-BhCSARIsAPhdfSgk20GaC0SFy67ri4y-Ln5cD9qRCTmzkO1jyWf6lib_673CbpSkNcAaAuygEALw_wcB

However, not all of it has been distributed as there is always a lag between the award and the production and delivery of weapons. This is where we need to focus our attention.This article can provide some perspective on the immediate aide issues that we should focus on:https://www.csis.org/analysis/ukraine-now-doomed

Script for your use, please modify as you feel appropriate:

Dear Congressperson/Senator.   My name is __________________ and I am your constituent.  I am calling/writing to tell you that what we witnessed in the Oval Office with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine was completely inappropriate, an embarrassment for our Country, and potentially has seriously harmed our relationship with all of our NATO allies. This administration must immediately begin the work of repairing this damage. Also of critical importance is that the promised aide to Ukraine be continued, uninterrupted, as these matters are resolved. As Congress, you have the power of the purse and you need to remind the Executive branch that they cannot simply unwind what you have done. We must honor our contracts, we must keep our promises, especially with our allies. Putin and Russia are no friends of ours and it seems as though this administration forgets that. I am here to remind you that Putin is a brutal and vicious dictator. That the territory that he has claimed lives under harsh and oppressive control. To place this Country on the side of, or to even give the appearance of sympathy, respect or admiration for such a regime is disgusting.

It is important that you hear from your constituents directly and you must hold an in-person Town Hall so that you can understand the level of anger and unhappiness your constituents are currently feeling over Ukraine, the wanton demolition of critical government departments, and targeting of poor and marginalized communities by this administration in many ways but specifically through the proposed cuts to the  Medicaid department.

Name and Address

***If you are calling and they say the Elected Official is unavailable,make sure to note the name of the person you are speaking with and use it when expressing your concerns, thank them and ask them to confirm that they will deliver the message to the elected official.

Congressman Andy Harris: (202) 225-5311Contact via official webform

Senator Angela Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524Contact via official webform

Senator Chris Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654Contact via official webform

If you are not sure who your elected official is, you can search them here:https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

 Contact your congressional Representatives about termination of telehealth appointments

“Through March 31, 2025, you can get telehealth services at any location in the U.S., including your home. Starting April 1, 2025, you must be in an office or medical facility located in a rural area (in the U.S.) for most telehealth services.”

Learn more:  www.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth

Medicaid follows shorty after with no telehealth as of June 30^th. Call your representatives and tell them to extend and make permanent the Telehealth option. This is critical for rural communities, for the elderly and disabled and has become an integral part of health care delivery.

Additionally, demand that the President keep his promise not to cut Medicaid. The current proposed budget by the House of Representatives calls for $880 billion cut to the department which oversees Medicaid. Such a cut would be devastating to the over 40 percent of children in the country who are on Medicaid, and would hit rural communities and the poor the hardest. The ripple of effect of reduced coverage would also greatly impact the financial health of communities that rely upon hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and physicians.

Learn More:  www.ajmc.com/view/trump-endorses-budget-that-would-slash-medicaid-funding

Find Your Representatives and Contact Information

 THE EMAIL SCRIPT

Hello, my name is ________ I am a constituent of   ___________, my address is ___________.

It is critical that the Telehealth options in Medicare and Medicaid be extended and made permanent. Access to health care is already difficult with fewer and fewer doctors and options for treatment, especially in rural America and in your district. Telehealth is an efficient, critical service that has become a part of the health care delivery system, helping everyone, especially veterans, the elderly and disabled.

It is also critical that you tell the President to keep his promise to the American People that he would not cut Medicaid. The current House budget proposal has $880 billion in cuts to the department that manages Medicaid. Any large cut to Medicaid harms the children of this country as 40% of children in this country receive Medicaid benefits. You will once again be harming the rural communities in your district and the poor. This brutal financial cut will have far reaching economic consequences. The impact on hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and physicians will be significant, leading to job losses and contributing to the overall financial distress we are already experiencing.

[Elected official], protect the health and wellbeing of your constituents in your community.

Sincerely,

THE PHONE SCRIPT

Listen to the person’s name that answers the phone and jot it down

Hello,

May I speak with Senator / Congressperson___________? 

If they say yes…

Hello, Senator/Congressperson___ ______, thank you for taking my call. My name is ______________ I am a constituent. It is critical that the Telehealth options in Medicare and Medicaid be extended and made permanent. Access to health care is already difficult with fewer and fewer doctors and options for treatment, especially in rural America and in your district. Telehealth is an efficient, critical service that has become a part of the health care delivery system, helping everyone but especially veterans, the elderly and disabled.

It is also critical that you tell the President to keep his promise to the American People that he would not cut Medicaid. The current House budget proposal has $880 billion in cuts to the department that manages Medicaid. Any large cut to Medicaid harms the children of this country as 40% of children in this country receive Medicaid benefits. You will once again be harming the rural communities in your district and the poor. This brutal financial cut will have far reaching economic consequences. The impact on hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and physicians will be significant, leading to job losses and contributing to the overall financial distress we are already experiencing.

[Elected official], protect the health and wellbeing of your constituents in your community by extending and making Telehealth permanent and fighting any reduction in Medicaid benefits or budget. Will you do that? Thank you for your time.

***If they say the Elected Official is unavailable,make sure to note the name of the person you are speaking with and use it when expressing your concerns, thank them and ask them to confirm that they will deliver the message to the elected official.