Blue 812 News Issue 26 - June 22
“In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
NATIONAL NUTCASERY
bad news, bad nukes
Here’s the rundown: On June 21, Trump, in a plan called Operation Midnight Hammer *eyeroll,* ordered U.S. B-2 bombers to drop bunker-busting bombs on three Iranian nuclear sites (Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan), joining Israel’s ongoing campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. Trump called it a “spectacular military success,” while also warning Iran that “many targets” remain if they don’t make peace quickly. So, diplomacy by way of airstrike—classic. Works every time.
Now, isn’t Congress the body that declares whether the United States goes to war? Good question, astute reader! The answer, technically, is yes — but Capitol Hill ceded that power to the president after the Sept. 11th attacks. Still, critics from both parties are accusing Trump of violating the War Powers Act, since Congress wasn’t consulted before the bombs dropped. The administration claims they “notified” Congress after the planes were already out of Iranian airspace. So, basically, “We told you... eventually.” AOC has called for impeachment proceedings over the breach of protocol.
Not to mention, the administration insists this isn’t a war, just a “surgical strike” to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions. VP JD and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are out here doing damage control, saying regime change isn’t the goal (sure, Jan). Meanwhile, Trump’s on Truth Social musing, “Why wouldn’t there be a regime change???” Nothing says “coherent foreign policy” like contradicting your own Cabinet in real time
So, are we at war? Maybe, but not necessarily. According to former US special envoy to the Middle East Dennis Ross: “If the president said our strike is only about the threshold Iranian nuclear weapons capability and the U.S. will hit no other sites, the war might be contained.” But others disagree. According to Ray Takeyh, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, “The important point for the Trump administration to recognize is that bombing Fordo will not be the final salvo in this conflict.” All of which is to say: no one knows what’s going to happen next, and Iran has stated that all options are on the table in terms of retaliatory measures. Hopefully, Pete Hegseth will leak some more group chats so we can find out.
big bs bill bulletpoints
We all remember how the House barely passed its version of the ‘Big Beautiful Bill” (I still cannot believe that is the official, legal name) last month by a single vote (215–214), stuffing it with Trumpian greatest hits like tax cuts for the wealthy, Medicaid work requirements, and a “choose-your-own-firing” adventure for federal workers. Now, its in the Senate’s control and despite House Speaker Johnson imploring them to change it as little as possible so it won’t have to be voted through the House again, the Senate’s gonna Senate, and the bill, it is a-changin’.
The Senate’s version is a Frankenstein’s monster of budget cuts and political landmines. They’ve slashed green energy tax credits, gutted Medicaid provider funding (especially for states that expanded under the ACA), and watered down the House’s SALT deduction cap increase—because apparently, punishing blue states is still a vibe. Now House conservatives are calling the Senate bill “political suicide,” centrists are threatening to walk, and Mike Johnson is stuck trying to herd cats. Meanwhile, Trump’s July 4th deadline looms like a bad fireworks show waiting to happen.
Since Republicans are trying to pass Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” through budget reconciliation, letting them dodge the filibuster and pass legislation with a simple majority, it has to conform to the Byrd Rule, named after the late Senator Robert Byrd, that says anything in the bill that doesn’t significantly affect spending, revenue, or the debt has to go. Last week the bill had its Byrd Bath, the nickname for the Senate Parliamentarian’s review of the bill, where each provision gets examined to see if it passes the Byrd Rule sniff test. If it doesn’t, it gets tossed out—affectionately referred to as a “Byrd dropping.”
Already Byrd-Bathed (a.k.a. flushed):
Defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Republicans tried to zero out funding for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s agency that protects consumers from predatory lenders. The Parliamentarian said nope—cutting off watchdogs isn’t budgetary enough.
Repealing EPA tailpipe emissions standards: The GOP wanted to scrap Biden-era clean car rules for 2027 and beyond. The Byrd Bath said: “Nice try, but environmental sabotage isn’t a budget item”.
Slashing Federal Reserve salaries: Because nothing screams “fiscal responsibility” like micromanaging Fed paychecks. This one got the axe too.
Eliminating the Office of Financial Research: Republicans tried to kill this data watchdog to “save money.” The Parliamentarian saw through it and tossed it out.
Making Trump an untouchable king: A provision in the GOP’s tax-and-spending bill that would make it nearly impossible for anyone to sue the Trump administration for breaking laws is on track to be stripped from the bill after the Senate parliamentarian said it violates the chamber’s rules. Gone.
On the Chopping Block (likely to be flushed next):
10-year ban on state AI regulations: This MAGA tech dream would block states from regulating artificial intelligence. Even Republicans as delulu as MTG admit it’s a policy landmine, not a budget measure.
Gun deregulation (SHORT Act): Provisions to delist short-barrel rifles and silencers from the National Firearms Act are likely toast. Democrats are sharpening their Byrd Rule knives, and even GOP senators admit it’s a stretch to call this “budgetary”.
Ban on Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care: The House version banned it for everyone, not just minors. The Senate version is slightly narrower, but Democrats are eyeing it for removal. Whether they’ll actually challenge it remains to be seen (we can always reach out to our Senators here)
Immigration enforcement goodies: Provisions letting states arrest undocumented immigrants and limiting federal court injunctions are also likely to become Byrd-droppings
A controversial accounting trick to make Trump’s tax cuts look deficit-neutral? That’s under intense scrutiny, and Senate GOP staff have been huddling with the Parliamentarian to try to make it stick
The provision that seeks to defund Planned Parenthood by barring Medicaid recipients from receiving care there is very much in the Byrd Bath danger zone. According to multiple reports, including Politico and The Daily Signal, this measure is one of several “pet policy” items House Republicans stuffed into the bill that are now in danger.
Surviving (for now):
Support for AI (with strings): A provision offering federal aid to states if they agree not to regulate AI is still standing—for now. But it’s on thin ice
Polls suggest that a significant chunk of Americans are still in the dark about what’s actually in Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” According to a KFF Health Tracking Poll, 26% of respondents said they “don’t know” whether they support or oppose the bill—meaning they haven’t formed an opinion, likely because they don’t know what’s in it. Another Fox News poll found that only 38% supported the bill, while 59% opposed it, with many citing concerns about how it would affect their families. Even among Republicans, fewer than half believed it would help them personally.
And here’s the kicker: a Washington Post poll showed that the more people learn about the bill, the less they like it. Among those who had heard “a great deal or a good amount” about the bill, 64% opposed it, compared to 42% overall. So awareness is low—but rising awareness isn’t exactly helping the bill’s popularity.
Scroll through this page from Rogan's List for ways to help – including calling our reps, tools for activating our friends and neighbors, guides on how to share stories of how the programs hit in the bill have helped us, pressuring the media to cover its impact, tips on putting together a great letter to the editor, sign-ups for phone-banking and door-knocking to key constituencies, district-by-district stats, talking points and sample social media content.
eyes on SCOTUS
Last week was a heavy one as SCOTUS released 11 decisions over two days.
Yet again, it was a mistake to let Pride Month overlap with SCOTUS decision season. On Wednesday, SCOTUS upheld a Tennessee law, similar to Indiana's, banning gender-affirming care for minors. In a 6-3 decision that broke along ideological lines and surprised no one, the justices upheld a Tennessee law that bans puberty blockers and hormone treatments for trans minors (but they’re still okay for minor who are not trans). In the majority opinion, Roberts basically said the law doesn’t violate the Constitution's equal protection clause because open scientific questions about the efficacy of the treatments still exist, as though SCOTUS has ever cared about scientific evidence before (last time I checked, they were all experts on AK-47s??). As Justice Sotomayor wrote in the opinion, which she read aloud (love that energy): “By retreating from meaningful judicial review exactly where it matters most, the court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims. In sadness, I dissent.” We’re a new level of fucked when the liberal justices are just like “Booooo.”
The ruling pertains specifically to Tennessee, but its implications are far-reaching. For example, it makes it harder to bring legal challenges against all bans on care for trans minors. It means that families seeking care for their children may need to travel farther and farther to find it, AND it represents yet another attack on the trans population, after SCOTUS upheld Trump’s ban on military servicemembers. This does not bode well for future cases they may be asked to rule on, such as those on trans girls in sports and passport markers. Read more at AP.
Other Wednesday decisions were two rulings involving the EPA, both focused on where legal challenges to the agency’s actions under the Clean Air Act should be heard. In Oklahoma v. EPA, the Court ruled unanimously that Oklahoma’s challenge to the EPA’s rejection of its “Good Neighbor Plan” for ozone emissions should be heard in a regional circuit court (specifically, the 10th Circuit), not in Washington, D.C. The justices emphasized that the EPA’s disapproval was regionally applicable, not a sweeping national action, so it belongs in a local venue. In contrast, in EPA v. Calumet Shreveport Refining, the Court ruled 7–2 that small oil refineries challenging the EPA’s denial of exemptions from renewable fuel requirements must take their case to the D.C. Circuit, in this case because the EPA’s denials were based on a nationwide policy rationale, not individualized decisions. Even though the refineries are local, the legal reasoning was national in scope.
We also had a decision on Nuclear Regulatory Commission v. Texas. In this case, the Court told Texas, in a 6–3 decision, to take a seat and stop whining about radioactive waste storage, specifying that Texas and its corporate buddy didn’t have standing to challenge the NRC’s licensing decision because they weren’t official parties to the process. Finally, in Perttu v. Richards, a rare win for incarcerated folks! The Supremes ruled 5-4 that prisoners can get a jury trial when the question of whether they exhausted the prison grievance process is tangled up with the merits of their case. Chief Justice Roberts led the charge, saying, “Yeah, we still do that whole Seventh Amendment thing.”
On Friday, SCOTUS released another six decisions:
FDA v. R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. 7–2 decision: The FDA tried to block flavored vape products, and Big Vape cried foul. The Court sided with the retailers, saying they do have standing to sue under the Tobacco Control Act. The FDA wanted the case in a more regulation-friendly circuit, but the Court said, “Nope, Texas it is.” So now, your local vape shop might get its day in court—because apparently, mango mist is a constitutional issue.
Fuld v. Palestine Liberation Organization Unanimous decision: The Court gave a green light to American victims of overseas terrorism to sue the PLO and Palestinian Authority in U.S. courts. The justices said the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act doesn’t violate due process—even if the attacks happened abroad. Chief Justice Roberts wrote that Americans are “under the particular protection” of U.S. law. So now, foreign policy meets tort law in a courtroom near you.
Esteras v. United States 7–2 decision: The Court ruled that when judges revoke supervised release, they can’t factor in retribution for the original crime. Justice Barrett wrote the majority opinion, saying Congress left retribution off the list of relevant sentencing factors for a reason. Alito and Gorsuch dissented, because of course they did—why pass up a chance to double down on punishment?
McLaughlin Chiropractic Associates v. McKesson Corp. 6–3 decision: This one’s about junk faxes—yes, those still exist. The FCC said the Telephone Consumer Protection Act doesn’t apply to online fax services. The Court said, “Thanks for the opinion, FCC, but we’ll interpret the law ourselves.” Kavanaugh wrote that district courts aren’t bound by agency interpretations in enforcement cases. Our liberal ladies Kagan, Sotomayor, and Jackson dissented, warning this could unleash a wave of regulatory second-guessing.
Diamond Alternative Energy v. EPA 7–2 decision: Fuel producers sued the EPA over California’s electric vehicle mandates. The EPA said, “You don’t have standing.” The Court disagreed, saying the producers are directly affected and can challenge the rules. So now, oil companies get to fight clean air policies in court—because who needs breathable air when you’ve got procedural standing?
Stanley v. City of Stanford Unanimous decision: The Court clarified that if you’re suing for disability discrimination under the ADA, you have to show you could perform the essential functions of the job at the time of the alleged discrimination. Thsi decision was a rare moment of clarity and consensus though it still puts the burden squarely on the plaintiff to prove they were qualified while being discriminated against
There are still approximately 16 cases left to be decided, and the Court typically wraps up by early July. Still on the list: birthright citizenship, nationwide injunctions, and Texas’s pornography law.
STATEWIDE SHENANIGANS
hogsett fallout continues
Another city-county councilor called for Indy Mayor Joe Hogsett to resign at the end of a committee meeting Tuesday night, but with a twist. Democratic Councilor Crista Carlino, the chair of the committee investigating allegations of sexual harassment, also said council president Vop Osili and vice president Ali Brown should step down from their leadership roles.
Osili and Brown vehemently denied accusations of limiting the scope of the council investigation, but Carlino said she had lost faith in their ability to lead, particularly after Last week’s meeting where Osili had sheriffs forcibly remove a woman who said she experienced sexual harassment and workplace abuse during Hogsett's 2015 campaign. More at IndyStar.
The Indianapolis Business Journal's editorial board last week also joined the calls for Hogsett's resignation in the aftermath of the sexual harassment allegations made against his former chief of staff Thomas Cook. "Indianapolis needs a mayor who is putting all of his or her focus on the serious challenges and opportunities that come with running the state’s biggest city and one of the Midwest’s economic drivers," the IBJ editorial states.
more on morales
Secretary of State Diego Morales, who appeared before the State Budget Committee this week to request several budget augmentations, faced a grilling and criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Some of the most pointed questions and comments came from Republican state Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown. "I just want to be on the record as saying you have a vehicle that cost almost twice as much as the average salary of a Hoosier," Garten said. "I will not apologize to anyone because my work ethic is unmatched," Morales told lawmakers. "I'm going above and beyond the call of duty."
LOCAL FOCUS
VCSC feels the squeeze
On Monday, the Vigo County School Board is expected to discuss next steps as it develops a plan for the future of school district facilities. The district has not yet proposed a specific facilities plan. The school board met in executive, or closed session, on Thursday. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the administration office board room at 501 W. Olive St. in West Terre Haute.
A Gibraltar feasibility study of all facilities is complete, and data points to the potential for school consolidation. Information presented by the district and Gibraltar Design on June 2 stated: “Using the results of our most recent demographic study and best practices observed across the state to balance student needs with the reality of living within available funding and the reality of employee candidate shortages, it is possible to consolidate to: 9 elementary schools; 3 middle schools; 1 high school.” The current composition of VCSC K–12 schools by grade levels is 15 elementary schools (K–5); five middle schools (6-8) and three high schools (9-12). More at TribStar via Yahoo
GOOD TROUBLE
As discussed above, Senate Republicans have unveiled their own poisonous version of the reconciliation bill. Not mentioned? It includes an outrageous provision that will put our public lands up for sale to pay for billionaires’ tax breaks.
The bill mandates the sale of 2 to 3 million acres of national forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands within five years. It also makes more than 250 million acres of public lands eligible for those sales. National parks are exempt, but your favorite wildlife habitat, historical site, or critical conservation land may not be.
Call Jim Banks & Todd Young to say: Please oppose any provision in the spending bill that allows for the sale of public lands (5 Calls script here)
BONUS TROUBLE FOR MISCHIEF-MAKERS: INDIANA DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT is seeking public comment on current environment regulations. This is to implement Braun’s executive order this spring to weaken regulations. More from WBIW.
One for the lolz: An Instagram account called No Sleep For ICE is posting the locations of Los Angeles-area hotels where ICE agents are staying so protestors can go play loud music and bang drums in front of them. Good trouble in action!
RESOURCE CENTER
congress? can you hear me now?
I’ve mentioned tools like 5 Calls and Resistbot in the newsletter before - I love quick and easy ways to make a difference. It can feel daunting to contact our elected officials, but tapping a few buttons is something I can find time for. Here are a few more similar tools:
democracy.io will format an email to our Rep & Senators with just a few clicks. You write the message, or you could always copy-paste one from another author.
Daily Action: Text “DAILY” to 228466 (A-C-T-I-O-N) and get a daily issue with a quick call-to-action, including who to call and what to say.
you can fax Sen. Young for free through FaxZero.com. I use this service all the time when I have to fax things, so it is legit. Sen. Banks & Rep. Messmer are not accepting faxes, so call them at (212) 224-3121and ask why not.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nasty Women - Vigo County calendar | Indivisible Wabash Valley calendar
Monday, June 23rd at 11:45 am: Sound the Alarm: NO WAR!! Indivisible Wabash Valley will be protesting any and all use of our military forces either to eliminate free speech in our country or to aid and encourage other nations in their wars of genocide against peoples who want no war, who want to be allowed to watch and help their families, friends, and fellow humans live safe, productive lives. Two locations: Vigo County Annex - 147 Oak St OR Marine Corps Reserve Center at 200 South Fruitridge Avenue. 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘! Register here.
Tuesday, June 24 at 10:30 am - 11:15 am: Sisters Speak Out: June 24 Community Prayer and Rally at outside the Church of the Immaculate Conception 1 Sisters of Providence Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876. People of all faiths are invited to unite with the Sisters of Providence in compassion, empathy and understanding for this special event to engage in prayer and public witness for immigrants and a just economy. More info here.
Wednesday, June 25th at 8:30 am: County Update with the Vigo County Commissioners at Hulman Center. The Vigo County Commissioners will provide an update on county projects and issues of great importance to Vigo County. Individual tickets are $40. (what is this money going to?) More info here.
Monday, June 30th at 5pm: Come join Indivisible Wabash Valley at the Vigo County Public Library from 5-6 pm for a Civic Education Workshop. You'll learn how to spot misinformation and find out what news sources are non-biased. You'll learn about voting rights, voter registration, and upcoming laws that could make voter registration harder. You'll learn all about running for a position in politics to make change and how to reach out to your representatives so they'll listen. Come and bring a friend! Refreshments will be provided! Register here
Tuesday, July 1st at 5pm: Indiana Nasty Women - Vigo County meeting at the Vigo County Public Library in meeting room B.
Tuesday, July 1st at 6pm: Mile with the Mayor at Maple Ave Nature Park. A 1-mile walk with the mayor in a city park.
END ON A HIGH NOTE
Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who has been detained since March because of his pro-Palestinian activism on campus, has been released and is back in New Jersey. U.S. District Judge Michael Fabiarz ruled Khalil is neither a threat to his community nor a flight risk, and called Khalil's detention "highly unusual.”
Kseniia Petrova, the Russian scientist who spent four months in detention after failing to declare scientific samples she was carrying into the country, was freed on bail from federal custody by a magistrate judge in Boston.
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to withhold transportation funding as a way to force Democrat-ruled states to comply with his immigration enforcement agenda.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced a bill with Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. Anyone who thinks they support no taxes on tips should actually be fighting for a higher minimum wage.
The FDA just approved a long-lasting injection to prevent HIV.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) deleted a series of tweets that promoted unfounded conspiracy theories about the man suspected in the deadly shooting of two Minnesota Democrats and their spouses. Crazy that this has to be considered ‘good news’.
A federal judge ruled all transgender and intersex people can obtain passports that align with their gender identity while the case against Trump’s EO proceeds. Send those forms in now, folks!
Mike Lindell was found liable in a defamation case brought by a former Dominion Voting Systems executive. The jury ordered him to pay roughly $2.3 million in damages. Better sell some more pillows.
Trump's time in the White House runs out in:
