Summer recess began for members of Congress last week shortly following Senate Republicans' deeply unpopular and ultimately unsuccessful push to repeal the Affordable Care Act—but lawmakers shouldn't anticipate a restful vacation.
"If Democrats want to win in 2018 and take our country back from the billionaire class and Republicans, they need to start by supporting legislation that speaks to the real concerns facing the American people."
—Summer for ProgressThroughout the month-long break, progressive groups are holding events across the country to both voice their anger at the GOP's attempts to strip healthcare from millions and push a positive vision of the future.
According to MoveOn.org, "Resistance Recess" will feature over 200 actions planned in 43 states over the next several weeks, an indication of the strength of the grassroots opposition to "Trump's toxic agenda."
"Building on the success of two previous Resistance Recesses earlier this year, MoveOn members will be convening to hold GOP members of Congress accountable for their votes on healthcare repeal and speak out in support of Medicare for All," the group said in a statement.
The @SenateGOP who voted to take away health care? Yeah, let's get some answers during #ResistanceRecess: https://t.co/yMXCLp2bCV pic.twitter.com/vGIr1MH0DL
— MoveOn.org (@MoveOn) August 7, 2017
The events will also highlight issues that reach beyond the healthcare fight, including immigration and civil rights.
"Events are being planned by members of Congress, MoveOn members, and activists across the country from organizations like United We Dream, Planned Parenthood, and many others," the group noted.
"Millions of MoveOn members and people throughout the nation have pushed elected Democrats to stand strong in their opposition to Donald Trump's dangerous agenda," added Victoria Kaplan, organizing director at MoveOn.org. "These same people also helped to prevent Congressional Republicans from advancing harmful policies, including the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. This movement represents a resistance against Donald Trump that is strongly united in both action and strategy."
Bolstering the Resistance Recess will be efforts by a coalition of groups that recently launched the Summer for Progress. The coalition's aim, according to it's website, is to pressure congressional Democrats to move beyond resistance by backing a slate of progressive legislation—titled the People's Platform—that boldly addresses issues from healthcare to education to mass incarceration.
"If the Democrats won't do it, we're going to have to get some new folks."
—Nina Turner, Our Revolution"If Democrats want to win in 2018 and take our country back from the billionaire class and Republicans, they need to start by supporting legislation that speaks to the real concerns facing the American people," the groups—which include Our Revolution, National Nurses United, and the Democratic Socialists of America—declare. "We're fighting for a Congress that will put people before profits to create an America where everyone, regardless of the age, race, gender or economic status has access to healthcare, free college tuition, a livable planet, and a job that pays a living wage."
Events have been planned in over 300 cities throughout the country, and a petition hosted on the coalition's website boasts over 135,000 signatures.
Nina Turner, president of Our Revolution, said in a recent speech that the coalition's efforts will be geared toward finding out whether Democratic lawmakers will hold firm to their unofficial public pronouncements by formally endorsing the People's Platform.
"If the Democrats won't do it," Turner concluded, "we're going to have to get some new folks."
"If we can go to the Moon, we can have Medicare for All"—@ninaturner
— Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) August 1, 2017
This August we're mobilizing in 300+ districts for a #PeoplesPlatform. pic.twitter.com/SbWn7rIWD3
