DECEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
"It's past time for Congress to restore its role as a check and balance on this administration and fight for we, the American people…We need to fight for our immigrant communities and veterans. We need to stand up for our public schools, children and educators. We need to respect tribal sovereignty and our environment, we need to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights, because that's what the American people expect us to do: fight for them. That is why I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files." --Adelita Grijalva, U.S. Representative, 12 November 2025
Greetings!
Our best wishes for a wonderful holiday season as we formulate plans for the 2026 elections. We could really make progress if you join the DAG Voter Outreach Team! Let us know how you would like to help us turn out the overseas vote! This would be a gift to the world!
The recent shutdown is over but the next deadline is fast approaching. The government needs to make long term plans to avoid this recurring situation. Government employees, military families and retirees should not be continually subjected to this unnecessary stress and anxiety especially when it doesn’t affect all those affiliated with the federal government.
Anxiety, fear and paralysis: Being a military family in the era of government shutdowns
Tougher voting rule for Americans overseas — including military members — halted by federal court]. In a ruling Friday (Oct. 31), the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia invalidated part of a March 25 executive order by President Donald Trump titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” that required documented proof of citizenship to register in federal elections. Military members serving overseas represent about 40% of Americans living abroad, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
Be sure to watch the VMF podcast which features the DAG VMF Caucus! Share the link so others can watch too! Help grow the membership!
Democrats Abroad: Checking in with DAG's VMF Co-Chairs
While there are no ABMC cemeteries in Germany, Ghost Army Veteran Helmt Isenberg who was born in Saarbrücken, is buried in Wiesbaden if you would like to visit his grave. After fleeing Germany, Helmut eventually emigrated with his family to the U.S. in 1938. Helmut and both of his brothers served in the U.S. Army. Helmut was in the 603rd Camouflage Engineers, the visual deception arm of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops. After the war, he moved to Paris, where he became Commander of the Paris American Legion Post. In 1990, he moved back to Germany, where he died in 1992. He is buried at the Jewish Cemetery at the Nordfriedhof in Wiesbaden. Field N, row 6, position 6.
https://ghostarmy.org/roster/Helmut-Isenberg/
Resist with Democrats Abroad! Phonebanking volunteers needed!
Take some time for yourself during the holiday season so you are ready for 2026!
Robert Scott and Terese Sarno
DAG VMF Caucus Co-Chairs DA Germany
What would you like to organize? Contact us at [email protected]
Ready to join our caucus? Be part of the conversation and make your voice heard!
TAKE ACTION UPDATE!
TAKE ACTION Now! Stop the intimidation and harassment of Veterans! Call your Senators and urge them to publicly affirm that service members must refuse unlawful orders, and to reject any political retaliation against Sen. Mark Kelly. Stand with Senator Kelly and publicly reaffirm that service members are obligated to refuse illegal orders. U.S. Capitol Switchboard: +1 (202) 224-3121 Find your senators
TAKE ACTION! Protect public education!
CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Donald Trump is dismantling the Department of Education, moving major parts of the agency to other federal departments, leaving America’s students and educators in the lurch. Members of Congress need to reclaim their authority over education during the upcoming funding battles and protect public education.
TAKE ACTION! Opposing violence is not a partisan issue. Call your representative, whether Democrat or Republican, and tell them you expect they take a strong stand against Trump’s dangerous rhetoric. Use the U.S. Capitol Switchboard: +1 (202) 224-3121. On November 18th, six Democratic lawmakers, all military and intelligence veterans, posted a video (DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP) urging members of our military to uphold the Constitution and refuse to follow illegal orders. President Trump lashed out on social media in response and called for these leaders to be executed...This is a heinous and unprecedented attack on our elected officials and our democracy.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
U.S. Army Retirement Planning Guide 2026
Democratic senators back bills to halt deportations of immigrant veterans, ease path to citizenship | Stars and Stripes “These bills will make it easier for immigrant veterans to become citizens, prevent them from deportation and ensure they can access the VA health care they rightfully earned,” Gallego said.
Federal judges block Texas from using its new US House map in the 2026 midterms In a post on X, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the Texas ruling: “Donald Trump and Greg Abbott played with fire, got burned — and democracy won.”
Pope Leo calls out 'extremely disrespectful' treatment of migrants in the U.S “when people have lived good lives—many of them for 10, 15, 20 years—treating them in a way that is, to say the least, extremely disrespectful, and with instances of violence, is troubling."
Nationwide, artists protest during "Fall of Freedom" : NPR
"What we've encountered with regard to large museums is that they feel very fearful of retribution from the government," she said. "There are more nos than yeses because of anticipatory obedience. Artists aren't afraid, but the institutions are afraid, and they are beginning to make decisions based on their fear of losing grants and losing their major donors. And that trickles down to the artists who are beginning to lose opportunities. As a result, exhibitions are being canceled. Plays are not being programmed."
Senate Democrats are investigating the Kennedy Center for 'cronyism, corruption'
Allegations of financial mismanagement come at a time of declining audiences, artist cancellations, layoffs and resignations at the Kennedy Center…FIFA will be using the center for free, instead of paying a $5 million rental fee to the Kennedy Center
Marjorie Taylor Greene is resigning from Congress : NPR
Greene's announcement said that she would resign effective Jan. 5, 2026.
Quotable Quotes
"And let me make this crystal clear We can de facto end Donald Trump’s presidency as we know it the minute Speaker [Hakeem] Jeffries gets sworn in as speaker of the House of Representatives. It is all on the line — a bright line in 2026."--Gavin Newsom
“We will hold bad landlords to account because the Donald Trumps of our city have grown far too comfortable taking advantage of their tenants. We will put an end to the culture of corruption that has allowed billionaires like Trump to evade taxation and exploit tax breaks."--Zohran Mamdani
“Here in New Jersey, we know that this nation has not ever been, nor will it ever be, ruled by kings. We take oaths to a Constitution, not a king.”--Mikie Sherrill
“You all chose leadership that will focus relentlessly on what matters most: lowering costs, keeping our communities safe and strengthening our economy for every Virginian — leadership that will focus on problem-solving, not stoking division.” -- Abigail Spanberger
“Tonight I am proud but I’m very mindful and sober of the moment we are living in. Donald Trump does not believe in fair and free elections. Period and full stop.”--Gavin Newsom
U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Fact Sheet: Serving UOCAVA Voters
Always Use VoteFromAbroad
Overseas absentee voters must register and request their absentee ballots every calendar year, so do this starting January 1, 2026!
UPCOMING ELECTIONS!
December 2nd–Tennessee 7th Congressional District
Vote for Democrat Aftyn Behn!
Ballot mail deadline:December 2nd, 7 pm CT
Service members, eligible family members, and overseas citizens can vote
December 9th–The Miami Mayor’s race is going to a runoff.
Vote for Democrat Eileen Higgins.
Fax or postal mail return–receipt deadline: December 9th, 7 pm
December 9th–Virginia Fairfax County
February 3rd–Virginia Caroline County*
January 31, 2026–Texas 18 (Houston) Congressional District *
Runoff between two Democrats
*Remember for all 2026 elections, overseas U.S. citizens must request an absentee ballot during the 2026 calendar year.
Go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org starting January 1, 2026.
DECEMBER EVENTS
UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH - 70th Anniversary
2025 Theme: Our Everyday Essentials
“We must reconnect with human rights, remembering that they are about people – about their needs, wants and fears, as well as their hopes and aspirations”
-VOLKER TÜRK, UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Through December 10th – 16 Days To End Violence Against Women
December 1 – World AIDS Day
December 1 – Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary) Birthday
December 2 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 2 – #GivingTuesday Tuesday after Thanksgiving
December 7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
December 10 – Human Rights Day
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
December 12 – International Universal Health Coverage Day
December 13 – U.S. National Guard Birthday The National Guard celebrates 389 years. “On this date in 1636, the first militia regiments in North America organized in Massachusetts. The descendants of these first regiments – the 181st Infantry, the 182nd Infantry, the 101st Field Artillery, and the 101st Engineer Battalion of the Massachusetts Army National Guard – share the distinction of being the oldest units in the U.S. military.” Walking through Boston Common today, you might pass the very ground where these first militia members drilled. Their formation predated the Continental Army by nearly 140 years, making the National Guard older than America.
December 13 – National Wreaths Across America Day - Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.
December 15 – Bill of Rights Day Bill of Rights Day commemorates the ratification of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, with the National Archives documenting its celebrations. The Bill was introduced by James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States.
December 18 – International Migrants Day The recognition of the contributions of individual migrants and the United States’ actions to support safe, orderly, and humane migration around the world
December 20 – U.S. Space Force Birthday
December 27 – International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
Upcoming DA Activities
BELLS OF PEACE
This is the fourth year that the VMF Caucus has participated in the Doughboys annual Bells of Peace celebration on November 11th,Veterans Day, a day to recognize all military Veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Bells of Peace commemorates the end of World War I and honors the 4.7 million Americans who donned the uniform and the 116,516 who lost their lives in that conflict
MAUSOLEUM OF FOSSE ARDEATINE, ROME
In Rome, on November 3rd, in advance of the November 4th National Unity and Armed Forces Day that commemorates the end of World War I and honors the Italian armed forces, Helenka (Chair, DA Italy Southern Chapter) and Terese (DAG VMF Co-Chair) visited the Mausoleo delle Fosse Ardeatine where 335 Italian citizens are entombed - killed by the Germans in 1944 after a bombing near their headquarters in Rome.
In Florence with Leyani, Chair, Democrats Abroad Italy
We discussed Vote From Abroad strategies and
DA Italy’s newly formed VMF Country Caucus.
HONORING OUR VETERANS
47 cadets from Ramstein HS JROTC traveled on November 11th to Saint Mihiel American Cemetery and the surrounding areas for three different ceremonies, leaving at 0730 and returning at 1930.
DODEA (Ramstein HS) students pay tribute to America’s World War
Photos courtesy of Ramstein HS MSgt (ret) Matt Atkinson AFJROTC Instructor
KAISERSLAUTERN HIGH SCHOOL JROTC had close to 225 participants including 144 cadets participate in their VETERANS AWARENESS March. They will donate over $8000 to local Veteran organizations - recipients still being decided upon.
Photos courtesy of William Conley, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.)
Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Kaiserslautern HS
Luxembourg Veterans Day Wreath Laying Ceremony
Courtesy of Democrats Abroad Luxembourg
Roger Behrend and Dan Good represented Democrats Abroad Luxembourg at the U.S. Military Cemetery on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, honoring the service and sacrifice of American veterans. Roger Behrend, a Marine veteran who served in Vietnam in 1968 during one of the most intense periods of the war and a past Chair of Democrats Abroad Luxembourg, joined Dan Good in paying tribute to those who gave their lives in defense of freedom. The cemetery staff warmly welcomed them for the ceremony and played “Taps,” adding a moving and solemn moment to the commemoration.
Robert Francis Kennedy, Navy Veteran
U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Senator from NY
November 20th, the100th Anniversary of RFK’s birth, was commemorated in Florence, Italy with the dedication of a public garden to RFK (at the corner of via il Prato and via Bernardo Rucellai, opposite the current location of Harry’s Bar in the Villa Medici Hotel) to celebrate his legacy as a champion for civil rights and social justice and the ongoing work of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia, based in Florence at the RFK International House of Human Rights. The organisation supports families and young people in difficulty through education, job-training and inclusion projects.The Italian government also issued a stamp, the first Italian stamp dedicated to an American public figure, in RFK’s honor.
SUPPORT DA GERMANY’s GOTV EFFORTS!
Your donation makes a huge difference in getting out the vote! 2026 is a crucial year for elections so please consider a donation. Your monetary donations to Democrats Abroad Germany stay right here and are used exclusively to organize and get out the vote among Americans in Germany. Please help us ensure Democrats win up and down the ballot in 2026. Remember to request your absentee ballot starting January 1, 2026
