From the Editor

Weaponizing Democracy

It’s time to ACT. United we stand! 

In each newsletter, we focus on the Calls to Action (CTAs) that affect seniors. We urge you to dedicate an hour per month (or more!) to take at least 1 action. 

We implore you to Contact Your Representative, especially if they are Republicans. Details on how and suggestions on what to say are included below! It’s never been more important that they hear from ALL of their constituents. 

We also urge you to share this newsletter with all those in your social circles - Democrat, Independent, Libertarian and Republican alike, with Americans and non-Americans, and ask that all of them share this with their circles too. Many Republicans are regretting their vote as they see prices increase, the stock market drop, and the national deficit explode. We want to earn their votes in 2026 to flip the House and Senate.

THIS is how to build a global response to RESIST!

1. The SAVE Act

Do you want to continue to vote from overseas? 

Our right to register to vote online is being challenged. If passed, the SAVE Act would end voting from abroad unless you fly to the U.S. and register in person. Millions more in the U.S. would be disenfranchised, including those without the necessary ID, seniors stuck in nursing homes, rural voters and more. 

SAVE passed the House (as HR.22) and has moved to the Senate for a vote as S.128. Call or email them all - whether they are Democrats, Independents or Republicans. Tell them why S.128 is harmful to you as a voter in their state and ask them to filibuster this bill. Sample scripts are prepared for you HERE.

If you’re on social media, find the leaders speaking out against SAVE, and share their posts - you can find Democrats Abroad on these platforms:

Facebook — Instagram — Threads — YouTube — Twitter / X — TikTok — BlueSky — Mastadon  — LinkedIn  — Reddit

When sharing or posting -

• Use consistent hashtags: #handsoffourvotes, #StoptheSAVEAct
• Tag DA: @demsabroad 
• Tag and encourage the leaders speaking out against SAVE

2. Save Social Security!

Social Security is under attack, and it is time for us to defend it before it’s too late. Call your representative NOW and demand they protect Social Security! Links and call scripts are provided HERE. 

Listen to Former Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O'Malley talk about Trump’s plans for Social Security.

“Billionaires see Social Security’s $2.7 trillion trust fund and want to take it for themselves. It’s really that simple.” ~ Michael Phalen, Social Security Works

3. Follow your Representatives' social media channels and their websites 

Track what they are doing, and talk to them there. 

4. Register to Vote & Request Your Ballot

Check your State to see what’s on the voting calendar this year.

We encourage everyone to request your ballot and register to vote this year. 

If you vote in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Virginia, you've got state-wide races to prep for in 2025, starting in June. Sending in a ballot request now means you'll be ready in your State in case a special election is called this year - like the U.S. House races in Arizona 7 and Texas 18. Many other states have local and state elections you may be eligible to participate in. 

Once you've sent the ballot request to your State, we suggest that you save a copy of the form on your computer. Get in touch with Vote from Abroad immediately if your local election office won’t accept your request by contacting us through our online help desk at [email protected]

All sorted? Please get in touch with friends and family to ask them to reach out too. Here's a script you can use: 
Hi (friend), Just checking in to see if you’ve requested your ballot yet for this year. Between the Trump Executive Order on voting disenfranchisement and the SAVE Act, it’s more important than ever to get ahead of any barriers.

VOLUNTEERS

We need you!! Volunteers are the backbone of our organization.

You can find the list of positions our caucus is looking to fill on our Volunteer page.  Please email our Chair for details and to let him know you're interested.

• We are looking to fill our Vice Chair and Secretary positions.
• We are looking for members of a new Social Security Committee.

Did you know? April is Social Security Month!

House and Senate Pass Budget Resolution That Calls for Massive Medicaid and Tax Cuts

On Thursday, April 9th, the House of Representatives passed the GOP’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget framework, with a 216-214 party-line vote. Only two Republicans, Reps. Victoria Spartz (IN) and Thomas Massie (KY), joined all Democrats in rejecting the resolution. The Senate approved the framework earlier in the week, with a 51-48 party-line vote. Sen. Rand Paul (KY) and all Senate Democrats voted no.  — from the Alliance for Retired Americans

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said the budget plan is reckless and callous, proposing cuts to give tax breaks to the wealthy. “We’re here to make it clear,” Jeffries said. “Hands off everyday Americans struggling to make ends meet.”

SSA Online Tools & Social Security Works!

We’ve provided you, our members, with an introduction to SS & Medicare benefits on our Seniors Caucus SS/Medicare website and on our U.S. Benefits page.

Social Security Works!

Social Security Works (SSW) is an American political advocacy group that calls for expansion of Social Security, promotes heath care as a human right, and seeks to lower drug prices. It was founded in 2010, and has over a million members. 

Have you joined Social Security Works yet? SSW has released a new, online service option called eSignature/Upload Documents.  Visit their Advocates page to learn more.

Nancy Altman is President of the SSW. Watch our Event with Nancy Altman of Social Security Works on YouTube

STORIES

American Retirees Expand Their World Overseas

Jane Pauley hosts this CBS Sunday Morning show on retiring overseas. We can relate! 

Democrats are building their war chests for 2026, so we’re all getting a lot of emails. In previous editions, we described how to spot a fake sender’s email address. There are several ways to check addresses - using an Email Validator site, like ClarityCheck may be your easiest option. BitLyft has an incredibly useful and descriptive guide to how to avoid online scams.

How to Unsubscribe to an email safely

One trick scammers use is to buy your email from a list. To unsubscribe, they ask you to put in your email address. Do not do this - you should never unsubscribe to something you never subscribed to. Mark it as SPAM, and delete.

Visit our Tech page for other tips.

VOTING

Elections to be held in 2025

Reach out to ensure your friends in these states will vote:

How to Vote from Abroad
We highly recommend that each voter file an FPCA form in 2025

Have questions about voting? Vote from Abroad (VFA) provides one-on-one voter assistance - on voter status, never voted, or anything about voting as an American overseas. You can ask online, check our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) page, or come to a Voter Assistance Session. Voting made easy!

TAXATION

If you’ve just moved overseas
and want to learn about tax filing, FBAR, FATCA and more, the Tax Section on this page will walk you through the basic information. It is not intended as tax advice.

~ This IRS page has helpful information for overseas taxpayers.

~ Click Here to Get Your Social Security Statement for 2024

DA Events - Quick Links

• DA Caucus Events for 2025
• DA YouTube channel