Every week we put our faith in action. This week we are writing our members of Congress demanding that they protect our personal information from Trump’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” or “DOGE”. We are also demanding that they pledge to oppose any cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

We begin with the Trump administration’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been given unrestricted access to our personal data, a massive invasion of privacy that puts our Social Security numbers, health records, and financial information at risk of data breaches, mass surveillance, and more. The Trump administration is giving DOGE unrestricted access to Americans’ personal data, including our finances, health records, and social security data.

DOGE – the so-called Department of Government Efficiency – is composed of unvetted outsiders who have forced their way into the government’s most protected systems without care for the safeguards created by Congress to keep our data safe. They are also reportedly using shadowy AI tools to decide what critical public services and programs to cut.

This is a privacy disaster that impacts every one of us – and leaves us vulnerable to data breaches, mass surveillance, politically motivated attacks, and worse.

The people of this country deserve to know what’s happening behind closed doors – yet DOGE has refused to answer questions from the press, members of Congress, and the public, all while claiming DOGE employees are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Demand Congress do its job and hold the president accountable when he or his administration violate our civil rights and civil liberties.

In addition, No one voted to cut Social Security. No one voted to cut Medicare. And No one voted for higher drug prices. But Donald Trump has empowered Elon Musk to slash the government to ribbons―and Musk has indicated that he’s willing to break Trump’s promises on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Too many members of Congress have tried to play both sides when it comes to our Social Security system. Behind closed doors, especially to their donors, they talk about ways to weaken and undermine the system, culminating in reaching into our pockets and stealing our earned benefits. Then they campaign as loyal protectors who would never dream of touching these sacrosanct programs.

We can’t let this doublespeak stand. We have to draw a line in the sand. Every member of Congress must take the pledge to stand with the American people, on the side of our Social Security system.

There’s a good reason politicians don’t campaign on cutting Social Security: Ninety-two percent of Americans think that’s a terrible idea. That’s why Donald Trump spent millions on mail pieces to Pennsylvania voters claiming that Kamala Harris was destroying Social Security―even though Trump proposed billions in cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid in every budget he introduced as President.

With the Trump administration planning trillions of dollars in new tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and corporations, Elon Musk has been tasked with offsetting the cost through cuts. That’s why he’s got his knives out for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Again and again, to politicians from both parties, we have insisted: Any changes to Social Security must happen through regular Congressional order, in the light of day―not in some closed-door commission.

We are demanding that every member of Congress: Take the pledge not to cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid!

Options to Take Action:

1. 1. 1. Sign a letter at the Action Table on Sunday.
      2. Click on a link to download an Action Letter you can mail for either Within CA or Outside CA.
      3. Click on these links for the ACLU action on protecting our data and Social Works action on protecting Social Security.

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As we mourn all those lost to violence in the Middle East, we continue to pray for peace in the Holy Land and for our Episcopal Relief & Development partners who are working to serve all people who come to them seeking treatment and safety. Your generous support of the ERD Middle East Fund will help to address immediate and long-term needs created by the Israel-Hamas war through locally-led partnerships. Donate to the ERD here.

Contact the White House at https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ or leave a phone comment at 1-202-456-1111.

If you ever need to look up your member of the U.S. House of Representatives or your U.S. Senators check here: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

To find contact information for your California State Senator or California State Assemblymember check here: www.senate.ca.gov and www.assembly.ca.gov.