Take action to defend democracy!
Actions for the week of 5.19.2025
Even one action per week makes a difference. Please share this with your friends.
These are just suggestions of actions you could take as an individual. If you are a League member, always remember to express your personal views, and not to speak on behalf of the League.Only League Presidents or designees can speak on behalf of the League.
National-Level Actions
Action 1: CALL OR WRITE about Federal Budget and Medicaid Cuts
Unite & Rise 8.5 aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions of this administration.
This week, we focus on the Federal Budget.
Tell Congress not to gut crucial programs like Medicaid!
Congress is currently considering a budget package that would slash Medicaid funding, putting millions of Americans health care coverage at risk.
Medicaid is the single largest source of health coverage in the country.
Nearly 72 million Americans, including children, pregnant people, seniors, families with limited income, and people with disabilities, rely on Medicaid for essential care including doctor visits, hospitalizations, long-term care, maternity care, mental health care, and rural clinic services. We must protect Medicaid for the millions who rely on it.
Write or call your Congressperson and tell them not to endanger the health of our country.
Contact information
The Honorable Lindsey Graham (Dear Senator Graham)
290 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5972
The Honorable Tim Scott (Dear Senator Scott)
104 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
202-224-6121
If you live in Oconee or Pickens counties, your U.S. Representative is:
The Honorable Sheri Biggs (Dear Representative Biggs)
1530 Longworth Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5301 (DC), 864-224-7401 (Anderson).
Other counties, find your U.S. Representative’s name and contact information here.
Learn more
- Medicaid Financing: The Basics kff.org
- Federal Medicaid Cuts Would Force States To Eliminate Services for Disabled Adults, Older Adults, and Children AmericanProgress.org
- House Republicans stall spending package for steeper cuts to Medicaid and green energy pbs.org
- LWV members can learn more by logging in to the LWV.org website and viewing the League Toolkits for action.
Action 2. CALL OR WRITE about Qatar Jet & Habeas Corpus
Please see below a sample script you could use regarding the National Security & Constitutional Threats.
“Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State]. I’m calling because I’m deeply alarmed by President Trump’s recent actions. The reported use of a private jet from Qatar raises major constitutional concerns under the Foreign Emoluments Clause and presents a serious national security risk—inviting foreign influence or even future attacks.
I’m also disturbed by Stephen Miller’s suggestion to suspend habeas corpus. That’s unconstitutional and authoritarian overreach that threatens our civil liberties. Trump’s team is also planning to politicize federal agencies and purge civil servants, which would dismantle the nonpartisan foundation of our democracy.
These are not normal policy differences—this is a direct assault on the Constitution. I urge [Representative/Senator Name] to take a clear stand, speak out forcefully, and be on the right side of history. Our democracy depends on it. Thank you.”
State-Level Actions
Action 3: STAY informed on State issues.
The State Legislature is out of regular session.
Watch this Legislative Session Debrief on PBS.org: This week in South Carolina on PBS. Gavin and friends reflect on this year's legislative session and what's coming up in January.
Local-Level Actions
Action 4: CONTACT your Pickens County Council Representative – Don’t Reduce Funds for Libraries and Roads
At its second of three readings on the budget, Council voted 4-2 to remove the library system from its dedicated millage. The action unties library funds from increasing with county growth; instead they become part of the general fund. This encourages efforts to micromanage libraries and will likely result in reduced funds for libraries.
In the past two years, there have been significant improvements to our roads. Now, in the second budget reading, 4 Council members have voted to cut the road millage by almost half. Road funding is a complex issue but arguments made to cut funding are not based in facts.
Reach out to your council member on both issues before the Council work session on May 19 (no public comments allowed.) The third and final reading of the budget hearing is projected to be June 2.
You can read more on this issue in this article from Upstate Today.
Read Council Meetings and Agendas.
Action 5: ATTEND meetings of your local government and stay informed on local issues.
LWVOP.org maintains an extensive calendar of local public meetings.
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Monday, May 19: Pickens County Council Mid-Month meeting in the Main Conference Room of the Administration Facility, 222 McDaniel Avenue Pickens, SC 29671 at 6:30 pm. Here are links to their 2025 Council Meeting Calendar, Pickens County Calendar, and to the agenda and minutes and videos.
- Monday, May 19: City of Clemson Council meeting held at Council Chambers, Clemson City Hall, 1250 Tiger Blvd # 1, Clemson, SC 29631 at 6:30 pm unless otherwise noted. Find the 2025 calendar.
- Tuesday, May 20: Oconee County Council Meeting in the County Council Chambers located at 415 South Pine Street, Walhalla, SC at 6 pm. Here are links to the Calendar, agenda and minutes and videos of past county council meetings.
Action 6: SAVE the Date: Saturday, May 31, Greenville SC
Rally for “Stand with Ukraine.” More details are coming, or follow here.
Action 7: SAVE the Date: June 14 (Flag Day)
NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to the increasing authoritarian excesses of the current administration. Seneca, Rock Hill, Columbia and Bluffton currently have events scheduled. Learn more here.
Action 8: CELEBRATE your actions!
LWVOP members Cherie Walker, Ruth Reed, Carol Asalon, Janet Marsh, Holley Ulbrich, Pat Spurlock, Kathy Bargeron, and Carolyn Bishop-McLeod (not pictured Janie Shipley, Linda Gorey and Ken Marsh) at the 2025 LWVSC Convention May 17. It was a great opportunity to participate in the decision making process: voting on League positions, new state board members, and Forging the Future!
You can share actions you’ve completed on Facebook, #WomenDefendDemocracy, or email me to be included in our Eblasts and social media posts. Also, please contact cherie.walker.lwv [at] gmail.com (subject: Item%20for%20the%20Action%20List, body: ) (Cherie Walker) if you have ideas for future actions. We rely on our members for much of this information!
Action 9: Join the League (if you are not already a member!)
Help support the League in their mission of educating and informing voters.
Action 10: Sign up for the mailing list.
If someone forwarded this email to you, sign up to get it directly!
We would love to hear from you about this initiative. Feel free to forward this email to others who wish to find ways to participate. Whether it’s how this made you feel, results you saw, or suggestions for future topics, please let cherie.walker.lwv [at] gmail.com (Cherie Walker) know.
