Thoughts from our Chair
June 3, 2025
Good morning Mathews Dems,
I read this morning that drinking lots of coffee may contribute to healthy aging. As I am now in my third cup, that is my good news of the day.
Actions:
1. CALL Kaine and Warner: The Senate is back in session and working on HR 1, the big, ugly reconciliation bill. I know we can count on both our Senators to vote against it and to work to fix some of its many egregious provisions. But it is helpful to them to be able to report on what they are hearing from Virginians.
a. Urge them to do something to improve, if not eliminate, the damage that will be done to Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps). 28% of Mathews residents receive Medicaid and 15% receive SNAP.
b.Urge them to work to remove the provision that allows federal officials to ignore contempt of court charges. Here is 5calls' script for these calls:
"Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I'm calling to urge [REP/SEN NAME] oppose H.R. 1, the House budget reconciliation bill, and the provision that will limit the enforcement of contempt of court charges. This was clearly included in the bill just to allow the Trump administration to freely defy court orders and the Constitution. I expect [REP/SEN NAME] to protect the rule of law, not to help the administration break it.
Thank you for your time and consideration."
I heard on PBS News Hour last night that they expect this provision to be deleted, but it is still important to voice your opposition to such a draconian move that would neuter the courts' ability to hold the Administration accountable for anything.
Reach Kaine at 202-224-4024 and Warner at 202-224-2023.
2. Rallies and other events.
a. Friday, June 6. Unite for Vets rally on National Mall starting at 2pm.
b. Saturday, June 7. Protest at Wittman's Richmond office, corner of West Broad and Dominion Blvd.1-3pm. This is a protest for voters in the 1st Congressional District of Virginia, which includes Mathews.
c. Tuesday, June 10, Mathews Dems Potluck Picnic at Williams Wharf, 5-7pm. See earlier email from Diane Grice.
d. Saturday, June 14: NO KINGS DAY Rallies and Marches. Bring signs. (It is likely that more will be announced. I will post as I get notice)
I read this morning that drinking lots of coffee may contribute to healthy aging. As I am now in my third cup, that is my good news of the day.
Actions:
1. CALL Kaine and Warner: The Senate is back in session and working on HR 1, the big, ugly reconciliation bill. I know we can count on both our Senators to vote against it and to work to fix some of its many egregious provisions. But it is helpful to them to be able to report on what they are hearing from Virginians.
a. Urge them to do something to improve, if not eliminate, the damage that will be done to Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps). 28% of Mathews residents receive Medicaid and 15% receive SNAP.
b.Urge them to work to remove the provision that allows federal officials to ignore contempt of court charges. Here is 5calls' script for these calls:
"Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP].
I'm calling to urge [REP/SEN NAME] oppose H.R. 1, the House budget reconciliation bill, and the provision that will limit the enforcement of contempt of court charges. This was clearly included in the bill just to allow the Trump administration to freely defy court orders and the Constitution. I expect [REP/SEN NAME] to protect the rule of law, not to help the administration break it.
Thank you for your time and consideration."
I heard on PBS News Hour last night that they expect this provision to be deleted, but it is still important to voice your opposition to such a draconian move that would neuter the courts' ability to hold the Administration accountable for anything.
Reach Kaine at 202-224-4024 and Warner at 202-224-2023.
2. Rallies and other events.
a. Friday, June 6. Unite for Vets rally on National Mall starting at 2pm.
b. Saturday, June 7. Protest at Wittman's Richmond office, corner of West Broad and Dominion Blvd.1-3pm. This is a protest for voters in the 1st Congressional District of Virginia, which includes Mathews.
c. Tuesday, June 10, Mathews Dems Potluck Picnic at Williams Wharf, 5-7pm. See earlier email from Diane Grice.
d. Saturday, June 14: NO KINGS DAY Rallies and Marches. Bring signs. (It is likely that more will be announced. I will post as I get notice)
- Saluda, Middlesex Historic Courthouse, 10am.
- Mathews, Liberty Square Courthouse, 11am to 12 noon
- White Stone, Location TBD, 3-5pm
- Williamsburg, Williamsburg James City County Courthouse, 5-6:30pm
- Richmond, Bell Tower, Capitol Square, 5pm, March to Kanawa Plaza, 6pm.
3. VOTE. Early voting for the Democratic Primary ends June 14. Primary Day is June 17. VOTE!
Thanks all for all you do.
Sheila
No Kings - Flag Day:
Protests in Williamsburg
Have You Seen this?
I got this in the mail today... NOTE the language:
"Let me be clear: I will not support any changes that impact current beneficiaries or those nearing retirement. Instead, I'll continue working across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions that preserve this essential safety net."
Let's hold him to this promise!
"Let me be clear: I will not support any changes that impact current beneficiaries or those nearing retirement. Instead, I'll continue working across the aisle to find bipartisan solutions that preserve this essential safety net."
Let's hold him to this promise!
Witman Mailer
Witman Mailer page 2
"Federal Cuts Threaten Virginians"
Richmond Times Dispatch, May 15
An article by Michael Martz explains the cuts proposed by the GOP and their impact on Virginians.
"GOP committees proposed cuts that would shift the cost of food assistance to states, make it harder for people to get health care through Medicaid, and cost them more to buy health insurance."
Unfortunately, the Times Dispatch paywall prevents me from linking the article for everyone... but if you have a subscription, I think you will be able to log-in and read the article.
"GOP committees proposed cuts that would shift the cost of food assistance to states, make it harder for people to get health care through Medicaid, and cost them more to buy health insurance."
Unfortunately, the Times Dispatch paywall prevents me from linking the article for everyone... but if you have a subscription, I think you will be able to log-in and read the article.
Bud Ward with President Obama
Bud Ward worked at Anheuser Busch in Williamsburg starting in 1982. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Bud was active in the Mathews Democratic Committee for many years and became chair in 2012. He also became vice chair for the Southeast Region of the Virginia Democratic Party in 2012.
Under Bud’s leadership, our annual Crab Steam grew to be one of the most successful fundraisers of rural Democratic Committees in the state. He was well known among Democratic leaders across the state and was close friends with former Governor Ralph Northam. He completed his tenure as chair of the Mathews committee in 2020, but continued to be active in local and state Democratic affairs.
In recent years, Bud became an integral part of the effort to tell the story of the Black Exodus from Gwynn’s Island. He helped form the association of the descendants of Black people who were enslaved by Gwynn’s Island white families and who lived and worked on Gwynn’s Island after emancipation. The first reunions of the descendants were held on Bud’s property on the Piankatank River. He was so determined that the historic marker commemorating the Black Exodus from Gwynn’s Island be located on the island that he offered his property as the place for it to be installed. It is a fitting tribute to Bud that this historic marker will be erected in front of his house on Old Ferry Road.
Bud was an unapologetic champion of all principles and priorities of the Democratic Party in a place where not too many people agreed with him. He loved Mathews County nonetheless.
Bud was active in the Mathews Democratic Committee for many years and became chair in 2012. He also became vice chair for the Southeast Region of the Virginia Democratic Party in 2012.
Under Bud’s leadership, our annual Crab Steam grew to be one of the most successful fundraisers of rural Democratic Committees in the state. He was well known among Democratic leaders across the state and was close friends with former Governor Ralph Northam. He completed his tenure as chair of the Mathews committee in 2020, but continued to be active in local and state Democratic affairs.
In recent years, Bud became an integral part of the effort to tell the story of the Black Exodus from Gwynn’s Island. He helped form the association of the descendants of Black people who were enslaved by Gwynn’s Island white families and who lived and worked on Gwynn’s Island after emancipation. The first reunions of the descendants were held on Bud’s property on the Piankatank River. He was so determined that the historic marker commemorating the Black Exodus from Gwynn’s Island be located on the island that he offered his property as the place for it to be installed. It is a fitting tribute to Bud that this historic marker will be erected in front of his house on Old Ferry Road.
Bud was an unapologetic champion of all principles and priorities of the Democratic Party in a place where not too many people agreed with him. He loved Mathews County nonetheless.
DOGE TAKES OVER at the Treasury Department
Use these links to learn more about the takeover on Friday....
https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/musk-doge-government-payments-treasury-fiscal-servicehttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/us/politics/elon-musk-doge-federal-payments-system.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-doge-usaid-treasury-government-rcna190450
https://abcnews.go.com/US/treasury-dept-elon-musks-team-access-federal-payment/story?id=118380399
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/musk-treasury-social-security-access-federal-payment-system-trump/
Here is an example of a U.S. Senator who is responding with action!
Become educated about Project 2025 and Agenda 47...
This is the playbook being used to organize the Administration's game plan.
1. https://kamalaharris.com/project 2025/
2. https://www.donaldtrump.com/platform
3. https://www.project2025.org/
4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/06/18/trump-has-unveiled-an-agenda-his-own-he-just-doesnt-mention-it-much/
5. https://democracyforward.org/the-peoples-guide-to-project-2025/
6. https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/what-is-project-2025-and-why-is-it-alarming/
7. https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf