Raise the Alarm: 50 States, One Voice for Democracy
A call to the Engage For Democracy community to help reach all 100 Senators before they vote on an omnibus bill that erodes constitutional checks and balances.
🚨 Update as of June 3, 2025:
This May 30 edition was based on the 1,116-page pre-enrollment version of H.R.1, which reflected the House’s working draft at the time. On May 22, the House passed a revised 1,038-page version, now under Senate consideration.
For full transparency, we’ve published a side-by-side analysis of what changed, what remained, and why the constitutional concerns persist:
🔗 [Read the updated June 3 analysis here]
When we first published this report, we flagged § 811 as one of the most constitutionally troubling provisions—it would have allowed a new Congress to revoke rules issued by a prior president. We’re relieved to report that this provision was removed in the final bill.
While § 811 was excluded, its inclusion in the original draft reflected a broader legislative pattern—one that still shapes many of the provisions now under Senate review.
Accuracy and transparency matter. That’s why we’ve issued this update, along with a revised action letter, phone script, and messaging tools to reflect what’s changed—and what’s still at stake.
Please note: The “Take Action” section below has been updated to reflect the final 1,038-page version of H.R.1. While some provisions were softened in language, most of the structural changes we identified were retained—several in their original form, and at least one expanded. The original action materials, based on the earlier 1,116-page draft, remain archived at the bottom of this post for full transparency.
Engage for Democracy | May 30, 2025
🗽 Editor’s Note: Engage For Democracy Community Call to Action
On Monday, we published one of the most important analyses in Engage For Democracy’s history—because beyond the steep program cuts, it reveals something even more dangerous: a quiet dismantling of constitutional checks and balances. H.R.1 quietly embeds structural changes that shift governing power away from Congress and the courts, eroding the constitutional checks and balances that keep our democracy accountable.
Though framed as a tax and budget bill, H.R.1 reaches far beyond fiscal policy. It would centralize executive authority, strip judicial review, bypass congressional oversight, and embed long-term changes into law through a fast-tracked reconciliation process.
And it was passed in the House—literally—in the dark of night. With only two hours of floor debate, no amendments allowed, and a Rules Committee “public hearing” held at 1:00 AM, the 1,149-page bill was rushed through while most Americans were asleep. The process may have met procedural requirements—but not democratic ones.
That makes what’s in the bill even more urgent to confront.
Today, we’re asking you to do something simple but powerful: help us ensure that every U.S. Senator hears—before debate begins—about the hidden provisions in H.R.1 that undermine constitutional checks and balances and shift power away from Congress and the courts.
To make that happen, we’ve set a baseline goal: at least one constituent from each of the 50 states reaching out. That alone would ensure every Senate office receives this message. But if you can, go further. Send it to both of your Senators. Share it with friends. Forward it to someone in another state.
Why all 100 Senators?
Because if this bill passes, every Senator’s vote must reflect a choice made in full knowledge of its structural impact on our constitutional system.
Once they’ve heard from constituents, they are responsible for weighing the facts and the evidence.
Their vote will show whether they are honoring their Oath to the Constitution—or not.
🧭 The Moment We’re In
In the early hours of May 22, the House of Representatives passed H.R.1—the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”—by a single vote (215–214). It was rushed through under extraordinary constraints: no amendments, two hours of debate, and a Rules Committee “hearing” held at 1:00 AM.
The bill is now in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53–47 majority. If just four Senators break ranks, it can be stopped.
This is not just a tax bill. It is a Trojan horse: a bill that pairs sweeping tax cuts and social program rollbacks with structural changes to the federal government itself—changes that would weaken judicial review, override regulatory safeguards, and consolidate unchecked executive power for years to come.
🛡️ Why This Is Our Line in the Sand
This moment goes beyond policy disagreements. It is about whether we preserve the foundational structure of our democracy.
Judicial authority would be stripped.
Regulatory independence would be subordinated to the Executive Office.
Congressional power—especially over spending and oversight—would be bypassed.
All of this would be done through reconciliation, with limited debate and no public transparency.
If no Senator speaks up, these provisions could pass into law without a word. That’s why your voice right now matters so deeply.
✍️ Today’s Action: Send the Email, Text or Call, and Share the Message!
Our goal is to have this email sent to every Senator in the country.
1) 📩 Email your Senators and Representative—all at once—in 3 easy steps:
Copy the message below
Paste the message, personalize if you'd like, and click Send
📝 Message to Your Senators
Subject: Speak out and expose hidden structural risks during H.R.1 Senate debate
(Full message text you approved would go here)
🎯 Our goal: Letters sent from all 50 states—and all 100 Senators made aware.
If you’ve already sent yours, ask someone in another state to send one too.
📝 Message to Your Senators
Dear Senator [Last Name],
H.R.1 will soon be debated in the Senate—and I’m asking you to use that opportunity to speak out.
This 1,038-page reconciliation bill contains provisions that quietly shift core governing powers away from Congress and the courts, concentrating authority in the executive branch. These structural changes—some retroactive, some precedent-setting—would outlast any administration and weaken the constitutional checks and balances that protect our democracy.
Many Senators may not yet understand the long-term consequences. I respectfully urge you not only to vote no, but to raise these concerns during floor debate, so they are entered into the public record.
Please read and share this nonpartisan, fully cited analysis before the debate begins:
🔗 https://engagefordemocracy.substack.com/p/not-only-a-tax-bill-that-harms-everyday⚖️ What’s at Stake for the Constitution
This bill doesn’t just change policy. It quietly rewrites how power is distributed across our branches of government—through reconciliation, not constitutional amendment or public debate.
Key provisions include:
— Regulatory Power Centralized in the Executive Office (Sec. 70200)
Allocates $100 million to the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to oversee and review federal agency rules—without the legislative guardrails originally proposed. While statutory mandates were softened, the funding structure still centralizes regulatory influence in politically appointed White House officials, bypassing independent agencies and long-standing administrative law norms.— Judicial Review Eliminated in Environmental Cases (Sec. 80121(h))
Bars courts from reviewing federal leasing decisions in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, including lawsuits already underway. Only leaseholders or the State of Alaska retain standing to sue. This provision strips Article III courts of oversight authority and sets a dangerous precedent for retroactive shielding of executive actions.— Executive Immigration Courts Gain Self-Funding Authority (Sec. 70016)
Permits the Executive Office for Immigration Review (within DOJ) to retain and spend fees without further congressional appropriation—undermining Article I budget oversight. Fee waivers are prohibited, high application fees are codified, and the Legal Orientation Program is defunded, creating inequitable barriers in quasi-judicial proceedings.These are not policy disagreements. They are structural changes that weaken judicial oversight, subordinate agency independence, and erode legislative authority.
🔍 What’s at Stake for Working Families
— Regressive tax cuts favor the wealthiest 0.6%, with benefits exceeding those received by 127 million Americans earning under $100,000
— $698 billion cut from Medicaid and $267 billion from SNAP
— Up to 4.5 million U.S. citizen children could lose full Child Tax Credit eligibility
— An estimated 4 million more Americans could lose health coverage as ACA tax credits expireThis is not a partisan critique—it is a constitutional warning.
Please defend the separation of powers. Please raise these concerns in debate.
And please vote no on H.R.1.Thank you for your service—and for standing up for the Constitution we all depend on.
2) 📲 Text RESIST to 50409 or message via facebook.com/resistbot (where you can send an email, text, or fax!)
Copy the message below (and personalize if you’d like)
Text RESIST to 50409 or Message Via facebook.com/resistbot
📝 Message (Shorter format for Text Messages to Senators)
🚨 H.R.1 is not just a tax bill. It quietly rewrites how power is distributed in our government—weakening judicial review, stripping regulatory independence, and concentrating power in the executive branch. All through reconciliation.
It passed the House at 1 AM—with no amendments and only 2 hours of debate. Now it’s heading to the Senate. If no one speaks out, these changes could pass into law—without public discussion.
We're asking at least 1 person in every state to contact their Senators—before debate begins.
🔗 Engage for Democracy Non Partisan Analysis of HR 1
3) ☎️ Contact your Senator’s Office by Phone
Look up your Senator’s Number Here
Use or modify the phone script below.
☎️ Phone Script for Calling Senate Offices
Hello, my name is [Your Full Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State].
I’m calling to urge Senator [Last Name] to vote no on H.R.1 and to speak out during the Senate debate about the serious structural dangers in this bill.
H.R.1 goes far beyond taxes and spending. It includes hidden provisions that:
– Strip courts of jurisdiction over environmental leasing decisions
– Centralize regulatory authority in the White House
– Give executive immigration courts self-funding power, bypassing congressional oversightThese changes undermine the constitutional balance of powers between the branches.
Please ask the Senator to raise these concerns publicly during debate—not just cast a quiet vote.
Thank you for your time.
📚 Source Note
All claims made in this edition are supported by detailed citations in our May 26 analysis:
🔗 Not Only a Tax Bill That Harms Everyday Americans—It’s a Blueprint to Reshape American Democracy
📰 Update (May 30, 2025, 2:00 PM ET): Reuters Confirms Judicial Enforcement Restriction in H.R.1
A new Reuters report confirms that H.R.1 includes a provision preventing federal courts from enforcing contempt orders against the government unless plaintiffs post a monetary bond. Legal experts warn this would effectively disarm judges—making it harder for courts to enforce compliance when the government defies lawful orders.
“This provision would neutralize valid injunctions and leave courts powerless to act in the face of open defiance,” said a May 20 letter from House Democrats, as cited by Reuters.
📖 Read the full story: Reuters | May 30, 2025, Trump's sweeping tax-cut bill includes provision to weaken court powers
This confirmation underscores the constitutional dangers at stake. Please continue sharing, taking action, and helping to reach every Senator before it’s too late.
📬 Optional: Help Us Track Impact—Anonymously
If you’ve forwarded this message to someone in another state—or if you know they’ve contacted their Senator—we’d be grateful to know.
Your input helps us do two things:
✅ Track where this message is landing
✅ Identify which Senators have not yet heard from constituents—so we can help close the gaps.
This information will help ensure that all 100 Senators are made aware of the structural dangers in H.R.1 before the debate begins.
No names. No emails. No tracking. Just one anonymous response:
🔗 Google Form link: https://forms.gle/CRGEpu4vAMfBiyUs9
📣 This is a special edition of Engage For Democracy.
Not a regular update—but a call to action.
💬 If this edition feels different—it’s because this moment is different.
What we do together this week could shape whether these changes pass in silence—or are confronted in daylight.
⚖️ When a budget bill rewrites checks and balances, the danger isn’t just economic—it’s constitutional.
🛡️ Every call, letter, and shared fact helps protect the system that defends all other rights.
💪 With vigilance, integrity, and resolve,
Engage For Democracy
Engage For Democracy editions are curated through close analysis of primary legislative documents and expert sources, with research and editorial support from OpenAI’s ChatGPT. All findings are independently reviewed and documented with verifiable citations. Engage For Democracy is a nonpartisan civic education project committed to constitutional accountability, the rule of law, and democratic norms. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, any inadvertent errors are mine alone.
🕘 Archived Version (May 30) Take Action
The action letter below reflects the version of H.R.1 analyzed as of May 30, based on the 1,116-page House draft then under consideration. It has been retained here for transparency and historical record.
📝 Message to Your Senators
Subject: Speak out and expose hidden structural risks during H.R.1 Senate debate
Dear Senator [Last Name],
H.R.1 will soon be debated in the Senate—and I’m asking you to use that opportunity to speak out.
This 1,149-page reconciliation bill includes hidden provisions that shift core governing powers away from Congress and the courts and into the hands of politically appointed executive officials. These changes would outlast any administration—and directly undermine the constitutional checks and balances that keep our democracy accountable.
Many Senators may not yet understand the full scope or long-term consequences. I respectfully urge you not only to vote no, but to raise these concerns during floor debate, so they are entered into the public record.
Please read and share this nonpartisan, fully cited analysis before the debate begins:
🔗 https://engagefordemocracy.substack.com/p/not-only-a-tax-bill-that-harms-everyday⚖️ What’s at Stake for the Constitution
This bill doesn’t just change policy. It rewrites how power is distributed in our government—and it does so quietly, through reconciliation, not constitutional amendment or public debate.
Key provisions include:
— § 811 (Sec. 70200): Allows a newly elected Congress to revoke rules issued in the final year of a prior presidency—undermining the continuity of executive authority and violating the principle that presidents are elected to serve full constitutional terms. This sets a dangerous precedent: rulemaking could become contingent on party control of the next Congress.
— Regulatory Power Centralized in the Executive Office (Sec. 70200): Grants unconfirmed White House officials power to classify, delay, or nullify federal agency rules. This bypasses expert agencies and strips them of authority to implement the laws Congress has passed. Regulatory independence—essential to fair, science-based implementation—is subordinated to partisan gatekeeping.
— Judicial Review Eliminated (Sec. 80121(h)): Bars courts from reviewing certain executive leasing decisions, including cases already filed. This section not only removes access to justice for tribal communities and environmental plaintiffs—it strips the courts of their Article III authority and sets a precedent for retroactive legislative shielding of unlawful executive actions.
These are not policy disagreements. They are structural violations that weaken judicial oversight, collapse agency independence, and entrench executive control—all without the transparency or accountability our Constitution requires.
🔍 What’s at Stake for Working Families
— Regressive tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy: the top 0.6% would receive more in total tax cuts than the 127 million Americans earning under $100,000
— $698 billion cut from Medicaid and $267 billion from SNAP
— 4.5 million U.S. citizen children could lose full Child Tax Credit eligibility
— 4 million more Americans could lose health coverage as ACA tax credits expireThis is not a partisan critique—it is a constitutional warning.
Please defend the separation of powers. Please raise these concerns in debate.
And please vote no on H.R.1.Thank you for your service—and for standing up for the Constitution we all depend on.
2) 📲 Text RESIST to 50409 or message via facebook.com/resistbot (where you can send an email, text, or fax!)
Copy the message below (and personalize if you’d like)
Text RESIST to 50409 or Message Via facebook.com/resistbot
📝 Message (Shorter format for Text Messages to Senators)
🚨 H.R.1 is not just a tax bill. It quietly rewrites how power is distributed in our government—weakening judicial review, stripping regulatory independence, and letting a new Congress undo rules from a prior presidency. All through reconciliation.
It passed the House at 1 AM—with no amendments and only 2 hours of debate. Now it’s heading to the Senate. If no one speaks out, these changes could pass into law—without public discussion.
We're asking at least 1 person in every state to contact their Senators—before debate begins.
🔗 Engage for Democracy Non Partisan Analysis of HR 1
3) ☎️ Contact your Senator’s Office by Phone
Look up your Senator’s Number Here
Use or modify the phone script below.
☎️ Phone Script for Calling Senate Offices
Hello, my name is [Your Full Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State].
I’m calling to urge Senator [Last Name] to vote no on H.R.1 and to speak out during the Senate debate about the serious structural dangers in this bill.
H.R.1 goes far beyond taxes and spending. It includes hidden provisions that:
– Strip courts of jurisdiction over executive actions
– Centralize regulatory authority in the White House
– Let a new Congress revoke rules from a prior administrationThese changes undermine the constitutional balance of powers between the branches.
Please ask the Senator to raise these concerns publicly during debate—not just cast a quiet vote.
Thank you for your time.