Here’s our midtsommer update and call to action:

The Big Bad Bill

A big bold thanks to all the DAN members who responded to our call/text campaign to tell Republican members in the House and Senate who “just might” vote NO on the Big BAD Budget Bill to have the courage of their convictions. In the end, few Republicans followed through on their idle threats to oppose Trump’s top priority that cut hundreds of billions of dollars for programs benefitting the majority of Americans to give a huge tax cut to the 0.1%. But your efforts helped! The bill narrowly passed, by one vote in the Senate (the tiebreaker cast by JD Vance) and by two in the House. We are deeply disappointed but not surprised or daunted. We’ll continue to push back - this week the Senate will take up Trump’s dastardly proposal to take back an additional $9 billion in funds already appropriated by Congress for programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Democrats Abroad are on the case to vigorously oppose it. If you vote in a state that has Republican senators, tell them to vote HECK NO! You can find their contact info at https://www.senate.gov/

Register and VOTE in 2025 elections 

Let’s get out the vote and ensure that we can vote in the federal mid-term elections in 2026! 

Republicans are currently suing to restrict Arizona voters from abroad! Learn more here:

Every state except Nevada, Kentucky & Indiana has elections scheduled in 2025. 

There are upcoming elections in Virginia, Arizona & Texas to replace Democrats in the House of Representatives who passed away earlier this year: 

• VA-11 on Sept. 9
• AZ-07 on Sept. 23 
• TX-18 on Nov. 4 

There are statewide legislative and gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia on Nov. 4. Read more here:

There are thousands of state and local elections this year, including mayors, city, town and county councils, and judgeships. We win nationwide when we win locally, so let’s turn these places blue. 

All states allow down-ballot voting if you state you intend to return. Thirty-two (32) states allow for down-ballot voting regardless of your intent to return. But there are exceptions, so find your state’s regulations here:

And check your voting registration and apply for your 2025 ballot today:

Make Good Trouble 

On July 17, DAN members will be actively participating in a global event honoring the life and legacy of the great civil rights icon John Lewis (picture above with Christina Skovsgaard and others), who taught us to make “good trouble.” DAN will have a social media online event asking our members to make good trouble by taking some of the actions listed below! DA Global will also be hosting an online event with various guest speakers. Please join the global event and RSVP at: Good Trouble Lives On - Democrats Abroad

Post your activity from wherever you are in the world and tag DAN on Facebook, Instagram, or Bluesky so we can share with everyone and tag your representatives to let them know you're participating.

• Make a “Make Good Trouble” sign and take a photo or video with your sign and post it on social media 
• Register to vote, help a young American register to vote, or check your registration to make sure it’s active
• Request a ballot if you vote in a state that allows down-ballot voting this year
• Write your senators and congresspeople about a cause close to your heart
• Make a donation to an organization that supports a cause related to civil rights, voting rights, organizations covering the loss of USAID funding, or something close to your heart 
• Support the free press and subscribe to a local news organization in the area you vote
• Talk to family members or friends in the US and share what you are doing, and ask them what they are doing to make good trouble
• Sign up to volunteer with DAN or other organizations trying to make a positive difference, form a community of like minded people!
• Watch John Lewis: Good Trouble and learn more about his life and legacy 

Upcoming Events

We’ll be having our second in-person and virtual Town Hall meeting this year on August 25th to get your ideas about how we can collectively Do Something and do it better to reclaim our democracy from the bad guys. (Location to be announced.)

Our first Oslo pub night will be at Brygg (Storgata 7) on Weds. August 6th at 7pm.

The Global Dems Abroad meeting is scheduled for August 17th - sign up here to listen in.

Finally, you may have seen recent posts from the US embassy in Oslo on Facebook, Instagram and other social media warning about threats posed by immigration in Europe. As officers representing Democrats Abroad, we cannot comment on relations between host countries and the United States. Individuals, of course, may comment. As a matter of personal security, we advise using your best judgment in commenting publicly on social media posts.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and hang in there! 

Erica Gibson, DAN chair

David Morse, DAN vice-chair

DA Norway
https://www.democratsabroad.org/